Benvengudo
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Hotel Details
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Benvengudo · Les Baux de Provence, France
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Key Highlights
- ✓Overall, Benvengudo stands out as a charming and refined retreat in Provence, offering a memorable stay with its beautiful setting, comfortable rooms, delicious dining, and attentive service.
Expert Review: Benvengudo
Benvengudo, Les Baux de Provence: A Serene Provençal Escape
Benvengudo, a Michelin Key Selected property nestled in the picturesque landscape of Les Baux-de-Provence, consistently earns high praise from guests for its idyllic setting, elegant ambiance, and exceptional hospitality. This former traditional Provençal house has been meticulously restored, blending classic style with modern comforts to create a quietly luxurious experience.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Benvengudo is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "wonderful" and "exceptional." It boasts an impressive average rating of 9.2 out of 10 based on numerous reviews, with high scores across categories such as cleanliness (9.4), comfort (9.5), and staff (9.2). The sentiment is one of a perfect relaxing escape in a tranquil setting, often leading guests to express a strong desire to return.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud several aspects of Benvengudo:
- Design & Ambiance: The hotel is celebrated for its beautiful, tastefully designed interiors and impeccably maintained property. It exudes a chic and elegant charm, offering multiple spots to enjoy the southern France sunshine. The hotel's setting within seven acres of parkland and gardens, overlooking lavender fields, olive groves, and the Alpilles peaks, creates a stunning visual experience.
- Amenities: A heated outdoor swimming pool is a significant draw, ideal for relaxation, even in cooler months. The property also features a boules court and a tennis court, adding to the leisure options. Free Wi-Fi and adequate parking are also appreciated.
- Tranquility: The serene and peaceful atmosphere of the hotel and its surroundings is a recurring highlight, allowing guests to unwind fully.
3. Room Quality
The rooms and suites at Benvengudo are described as comfortable, quiet, and elegantly designed to meet all guest needs. They feature a classic style with a fresh finish and subtle luxurious comforts, including antique furniture, individual air conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Many rooms offer private bathrooms and some even come with private terraces or balconies providing garden views. Guests frequently commend the comfortable beds, with some calling them "most comfortable." Room sizes vary, for example, a Double Room - Bastide Side is around 237 sq ft (22 m²), while suites range from 377 sq ft (35 m²) to 420 sq ft (39 m²).
4. Dining Experience
The dining experience at Benvengudo receives high praise. The on-site restaurant focuses on a modern presentation of classic Provençal flavors, utilizing fresh seasonal produce, often grown in the property's own gardens. Dinner is consistently described as delicious, enjoyable, and beautifully presented. The quality of the food, service, and atmosphere contribute to an excellent hotel restaurant experience.
Breakfast is particularly highlighted as superb and exceptional, with a huge buffet offering a variety of fresh breads, local honey, and eggs prepared to order. The pastry chef is also noted for amazing creations. Meals can be enjoyed on the terrace by the swimming pool, enhancing the Provençal ambiance.
5. Service & Staff
The staff at Benvengudo are consistently described as very friendly, professional, attentive, welcoming, and helpful. Guests appreciate the personalized service, with some noting that the hotel management remembers their names. The hospitality is considered remarkable, contributing significantly to the overall positive stay. One staff member, Tiffany, was specifically mentioned as "the best."
6. Location & Accessibility
Benvengudo is beautifully situated in Les Baux-de-Provence, approximately 20 minutes from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It offers a picturesque setting with views of the surrounding natural beauty. The hotel is conveniently located a short drive (around 5-6 minutes) from major attractions like the Carrières de Lumières and the Château des Baux-de-Provence. The village of Les Baux-de-Provence itself, a nice village on top of the mountain, is easily accessible. While the area is magnificent for exploring, guests should be aware that navigating Les Baux-de-Provence often involves climbing from parking areas to the town and ruins, which can be tricky with mobility issues and less shaded in summer. Free on-site parking is available.
7. Value & Pricing
While specific prices vary by season and room type, Benvengudo is considered a high-end experience, offering excellent value for the quality of accommodations and services. Average prices for a standard room can start from approximately $255, with double rooms around $264 and king rooms potentially higher. Guests have noted that the room space can be a "wonderful deal" for the quality provided. Buffet breakfast typically incurs an additional charge of around EUR 28 for adults and EUR 15 for children. Pets are allowed upon request with an extra charge of EUR 30 per pet, per night.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points of criticism have been noted by guests:
- Parking Challenges: Some guests found the metal stanchions in the parking area a challenge, particularly for larger SUVs, and noted that the locked gate at night could be slow to open if guests weren't informed their key card unlocked it, potentially leading to a queue on a narrow, dark road.
- Room Service/Cleaning Schedule: One guest mentioned that room service/cleaning sometimes occurred later in the afternoon (3-4 PM) when they preferred to rest after lunch.
- Restaurant Quality Fluctuation: One review from 2020 expressed disappointment with the food quality, attributing it to a possible new cook, though more recent reviews are highly positive.
- Sunshade Safety: A single instance of a large sunshade near the pool almost hitting a guest due to wind, with no immediate apology or care from staff, was reported.
Overall, Benvengudo stands out as a charming and refined retreat in Provence, offering a memorable stay with its beautiful setting, comfortable rooms, delicious dining, and attentive service.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points of criticism have been noted by guests:
Google Reviews
261 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Emily Mattaliano
I stayed here as a kid 15 years ago and returned with my husband on our honeymoon. We stayed in one of the cottages, and everything about the hotel was amazing! Incredibly kind staff, delicious dinner and dessert (from an amazing pastry chef!), and breakfast by the pool, very nice and clean room, peaceful atmosphere. We were easily able to explore many towns nearby (Les Baux, Saint Rémy, Fontvieil...
Lisa Friese
My husband and I stayed for four nights in October, lovely hotel in a beautiful location. It was a good central location to head out to explore the region, we had a car. The staff were all friendly and helpful, and the room was large and had a door to its own little patio. It was too cool for the pool but it looked very nice.
S Z
This is the first review I write after very many stays at hotels the world over. The property as such is nice and well taken care of. The proximity to the road is certainly a drawback. The bed in our room was the worst I ever slept in, old, worn-out and sagging mattress. They removed the topper after the first night, no change whatsoever. We should have left after the first night but stayed for th...
Response from the owner
Dear Guest,<br><br>Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback following your recent stay with us. While we are pleased that you found the property well maintained though we are truly sorry t...
Emma Lithuania
Exceptional experience in beautiful stylish cozy place. We had amazing stay.staff was superfine attentive. Lovely rooms. Great restaurant amazing pastry cheff. We had dinner a la carte it was great! Exceptional breakfast. We loved it here and definitely will come back🖤Merci beaucoup!
Linsey Foster
I love everything about Benvengudo! The staff is kind, the rooms are beautiful, and the grounds are sublime. I enjoy using it as a home base to explore Provence - so many beautiful villages are within a short distance. Excellent all around.
Terri Powell
This beautifully landscaped hotel is tucked away in a quiet and private area located minutes from Les Baux. While the closest towns are not easily accessible by foot, they are only minutes away by car. If you are used to having an Uber available at your beck and call, this part of France does not operate that way. Plan to either rent a car at the train station or airport or arrange with reception ...
