Le Phébus & Spa - Relais & Chateaux

We booked a suite with a private pool and honestly had to drag ourselves away. Room service was perfect every time, and the welcome wine and focacia/evian treat when we left were such thoughtful touches. Check in, the porter, and the waitstaff were all friendly and engaging without being intrusive. We came to relax, and it was just right. Provence feels like a dream, I don’t want to wake up. I’d give it 6* for the cleanliness, room size, facilities, and staff.

Breakfast was stunning, with excellent ingredients and plenty of choice, and the staff were friendly and very well trained. My superior room with balcony had a great layout, and it was cleaned twice a day to my satisfaction. The entry and garden already make you feel like you’ve arrived somewhere special, and reception gave me a professional, warm welcome. This hotel is a must in the area of Gordes. One suggestion: the reception staff are all women, and I think they should have a man helping carry guests’ bags. I felt too embarrassed to let them carry my heavy bags up and down the stairs to my room, so I took them myself.

The room was spacious, and coffee on the porch in the quiet morning was a lovely way to start the day. It was too chilly for us Americans to try the plunge pool, though it would be refreshing in warmer weather. The spa was fairly sparse, and while the massage was good, the locker rooms didn’t have many luxury items. The indoor pool and sauna were nice. The setting is beautiful, peaceful, and understated, with easy access to Gourdes, Joucas and Rousillon. Staff were great and quick to help with reservations, cabs, or whatever we asked. Chef Matthieu was often around the property chatting with guests, which felt welcoming. We had a fun private cooking class with a knowledgeable, entertaining chef, making a fowl dish and drinking rose. The restaurant’s 5-course tasting with wine pairing was indescribable, and even the continental breakfast went far beyond ordinary pastries.

The staff were kind and helpful, and I’d like to come back. The rooms were very nice, with a great view, plus spa access was an amazing perk and there are tennis courts too.