Paris & Provence Private Tour

We feel that the 190-room Le Bristol (yes, the one from Midnight in Paris!) is our favorite luxury, 5-star hotel in Paris. Opened in 1925, the hotel occupies an 18th-century building near the shops of the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. We consider the airy, iconic Le Bristol to perfectly illustrate French culture and service. Though the Deluxe Suite here is our favorite, each room is individually decorated in a traditional style with Persian carpets and colorful toilets! In addition to two other notable restaurants, we especially like the hotel’s Café Antonia and Le Jardin Français restaurant. Amenities here include a high-quality, three-floor spa and fitness center, but we feel the property’s sixth-floor, nautically-themed pool opening onto a solarium to be the property’s most impressive feature!

We feel that the 190-room Le Bristol (yes, the one from Midnight in Paris!) is our favorite luxury, 5-star hotel in Paris. Opened in 1925, the hotel occupies an 18th-century building near the shops of the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. We consider the airy, iconic Le Bristol to perfectly illustrate French culture and service. Though the Deluxe Suite here is our favorite, each room is individually decorated in a traditional style with Persian carpets and colorful toilets! In addition to two other notable restaurants, we especially like the hotel’s Café Antonia and Le Jardin Français restaurant. Amenities here include a high-quality, three-floor spa and fitness center, but we feel the property’s sixth-floor, nautically-themed pool opening onto a solarium to be the property’s most impressive feature!

Having visited in April 2019, we noticed that much has changed at the 5-star, 48-room Relais Christine since our last family visit in 2013! Occupying a former 16th-century abbey, in a quiet section of the trendy Saint-Germain-des-Près area of Paris’ Left Bank, the hotel is a short walk to the Seine and the Pont Neuf bridge. The property recently completed a major renovation, including rooms with updated walk-in showers, an expanded Spa Guerlain (located in the vaulted cellar), a Finnish sauna, and an exercise room. The critical thing that has not changed is the warm and inviting atmosphere and service. It is no hyperbole to say that a stay at the Relais Christine is like staying with family friends. Though usually fully booked, our favorite rooms are the Garden Suites, opening onto the private lawns enclosed by clipped hedges.

Having visited in April 2019, we noticed that much has changed at the 5-star, 48-room Relais Christine since our last family visit in 2013! Occupying a former 16th-century abbey, in a quiet section of the trendy Saint-Germain-des-Près area of Paris’ Left Bank, the hotel is a short walk to the Seine and the Pont Neuf bridge. The property recently completed a major renovation, including rooms with updated walk-in showers, an expanded Spa Guerlain (located in the vaulted cellar), a Finnish sauna, and an exercise room. The critical thing that has not changed is the warm and inviting atmosphere and service. It is no hyperbole to say that a stay at the Relais Christine is like staying with family friends. Though usually fully booked, our favorite rooms are the Garden Suites, opening onto the private lawns enclosed by clipped hedges.

Newly opened up in early 2020, J.K. Place Paris is located in a quiet and neighborly section of the Left Bank, hidden behind the stately facade of a former embassy on the western edge of Saint-Germain-des-Prés . Each of the property’s 29 rooms is individually unique and filled with fine art and antiques while maintaining a homey feel. Onsite there is a Sisley Spa, fitness center, indoor pool, and outpost of the Miami Italian restaurant Casa Tua, located in a glass-enclosed courtyard. Nearby there are many hotel recommended shopping spots which offer guests a feeling of being a Parisien local.

Newly opened up in early 2020, J.K. Place Paris is located in a quiet and neighborly section of the Left Bank, hidden behind the stately facade of a former embassy on the western edge of Saint-Germain-des-Prés . Each of the property’s 29 rooms is individually unique and filled with fine art and antiques while maintaining a homey feel. Onsite there is a Sisley Spa, fitness center, indoor pool, and outpost of the Miami Italian restaurant Casa Tua, located in a glass-enclosed courtyard. Nearby there are many hotel recommended shopping spots which offer guests a feeling of being a Parisien local.

Located in a national historical monument building, formerly the residence of a 14th-century cardinal, Hôtel La Mirande is set in an ideal location inside the walled section of Avignon, across from the medieval Palais des Papes complex. With just 26 rooms, special care was followed during the property’s refurbishing, featuring painted wood-paneled walls with tapestries, antique glass windows, and vintage oak parquet floors We particularly like the hotel’s garden dining terrace and courtyard conservatory for afternoon tea. Being avid Japanese-enthusiasts, we were surprised to see they have Kukicha and Gyokuro tea options! Of special note for our “foodie” friends, La Mirande’s restaurant dining experience offers a gastronomic menu featuring organic, farm-raised products taking to heart the words “seasonal” and “terroir”! The restaurant’s Le Marmiton cooking class is noteworthy among chefs throughout Provence. With its charming, relaxing atmosphere and personal, singular service, we feel a stay at Hôtel Le Mirande is a special and memorable experience to enhance your private tour of Provence.

Located in a national historical monument building, formerly the residence of a 14th-century cardinal, Hôtel La Mirande is set in an ideal location inside the walled section of Avignon, across from the medieval Palais des Papes complex. With just 26 rooms, special care was followed during the property’s refurbishing, featuring painted wood-paneled walls with tapestries, antique glass windows, and vintage oak parquet floors We particularly like the hotel’s garden dining terrace and courtyard conservatory for afternoon tea. Being avid Japanese-enthusiasts, we were surprised to see they have Kukicha and Gyokuro tea options! Of special note for our “foodie” friends, La Mirande’s restaurant dining experience offers a gastronomic menu featuring organic, farm-raised products taking to heart the words “seasonal” and “terroir”! The restaurant’s Le Marmiton cooking class is noteworthy among chefs throughout Provence. With its charming, relaxing atmosphere and personal, singular service, we feel a stay at Hôtel Le Mirande is a special and memorable experience to enhance your private tour of Provence.

Many believe the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc to be the most sought-after summer retreat in the world, and our clients would agree. Yes, it is expensive, pretentious, home to global celebrities and jet-setters, AND, we feel, among the most beautiful hotels we have stayed anywhere in the world! Despite the 55 Euro cost of a cheeseburger at the pool grill, our Lynch family has fond memories of our last stay here. Located in Antibes, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is 45 minutes to an hour away from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which is just on the other side of Nice. The reputation of the hotel is maintained in part because of its idyllic location, but perhaps more significantly due to its reputation for high-touch, understated service. Owner and proprietress, Maya Oetker, personally decorated each of the 118 rooms and has maintained a level of excellence that is unimaginable, even by 5-star luxury hotel standards.

Many believe the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc to be the most sought-after summer retreat in the world, and our clients would agree. Yes, it is expensive, pretentious, home to global celebrities and jet-setters, AND, we feel, among the most beautiful hotels we have stayed anywhere in the world! Despite the 55 Euro cost of a cheeseburger at the pool grill, our Lynch family has fond memories of our last stay here. Located in Antibes, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is 45 minutes to an hour away from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which is just on the other side of Nice. The reputation of the hotel is maintained in part because of its idyllic location, but perhaps more significantly due to its reputation for high-touch, understated service. Owner and proprietress, Maya Oetker, personally decorated each of the 118 rooms and has maintained a level of excellence that is unimaginable, even by 5-star luxury hotel standards.