Mas des Colombes

We chose to have dinner there every one of our four nights and were glad we did. The regional food was delicious, and meals on the shaded patio had a really friendly feel. Breakfast was great too, especially the homemade brioche. The pool deck and hot tub were lovely, with cicadas in the olive trees and mountain views all around. The restored farmhouse looks out over the Pyrenees foothills. You can spend the day on the property and feel completely rested, or visit charming towns within about 45 minutes, including les plus belles villages, Ceret, Collioures, and Banyuls sur Mer. There are only four rooms, arranged so privately that you have to look around to find the others. From the moment Eric greets you at the gate, the place feels like a comfortable home away from home. I can't wait to return. Merci beaucoup, Eric and Nedage.

The area is very quiet and pastoral, with a nice view, and the handmade touches run from the furniture to the food. The facilities were as described on the website. We stayed in the house for two nights and the hosting was great, with a real feeling of being at home. At first we thought it was worth five stars, but after staying at other houses, B&Bs, and small hotels during our vacation, we felt the overall value for money wasn't the best.

The buildings have been restored with real respect for local craftsmanship, and the result feels both understated and classy. The landscape rolling downhill to the east is another lovely part of the place. Previous reviewers have covered most things, and every comment is true. Bravo!

We were happy with the half-board meals, breakfast and dinner. After a day spent relaxing, driving out for dinner seems like a lot, especially with the small roads and needing to stay sober. Cerat isn't far, but the way down is a winding, unlit mountain road, better tackled in daylight. We came for two nights to recharge, and the spacious, high-standard suites helped. The independent air conditioning, very comfortable mattresses, and lack of traffic or other noise made for good sleep. The facilities, location, and service were excellent too. It's adults only, which helps keep the pool and garden peaceful. I also suspect the rocky terrain around the property could pose an accident risk for wandering kids. Parking was easy, with lots of flat space out front, including for a low-profile sports car.