La Mirande
Two Michelin Keys
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Hotel Details
Location
Avignon
France, Europe
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Key Highlights
- ✓Location:** Its unparalleled position directly next to the Palais des Papes is a major draw, offering stunning views and easy access to Avignon's main attractions.
- ✓Service:** The staff is frequently highlighted as "exceptional," "attentive," "friendly," and "helpful," often going "above and beyond" for guests.
Expert Review: La Mirande
La Mirande, Avignon: A Timeless Retreat with Michelin Acclaim
La Mirande in Avignon stands as a distinguished five-star luxury hotel, celebrated for its exquisite 18th-century ambiance, exceptional service, and prime location at the foot of the majestic Palais des Papes. This historic residence, originally a 14th-century cardinal's palace, has garnered significant praise, holding a prestigious Two-Key rating from the Michelin Guide for its accommodation and two Michelin Stars (one red and one green for sustainable gastronomy) for its gastronomic restaurant.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for La Mirande is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "fabulous" and "excellent". The hotel consistently receives high scores for its location (9.5), comfort (9.0), and staff (9.0) based on verified guest reviews. Many visitors feel transported to another era, appreciating the hotel's blend of history and refined elegance.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently praise La Mirande for several standout features:
- Location: Its unparalleled position directly next to the Palais des Papes is a major draw, offering stunning views and easy access to Avignon's main attractions.
- Design & Atmosphere: The hotel's "exquisite" and "tastefully done" 18th-century Parisian decor, featuring rich tapestries, antique furnishings, and polished parquet floors, creates a unique and romantic atmosphere.
- Service: The staff is frequently highlighted as "exceptional," "attentive," "friendly," and "helpful," often going "above and beyond" for guests.
- Dining: The Michelin-starred restaurant and diverse culinary offerings are a significant highlight, with guests lauding the "delicious food and wine" and "inventive cooking."
- Amenities: The charming terraced garden, a lovely bar with a fireplace, and engaging cooking classes are also highly appreciated.
3. Room Quality
La Mirande boasts 26 individually designed rooms and suites, each steeped in 18th-century style and character. Rooms feature finely detailed hand-printed fabrics, "Indienne" fabrics (such as "toile de Jouy"), silk-lined curtains, and oak-wood parquet flooring. Modern comforts are seamlessly integrated, including flat-screen TVs cleverly disguised in mirrors, mini-fridges, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are described as traditional and often spacious, with marble finishes (including Carrara marble), antique faucets, and luxury Guerlain toiletries. Many rooms offer "splendid" and "exceptional" views of the Palais des Papes. While some guests have noted rooms can be "too small," they are generally considered "average by European standards."
4. Dining Experience
La Mirande offers a truly exceptional dining experience, headlined by its Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant, led by Chef Florent Pietravalle. The restaurant serves responsible, inventive, and locally sourced cuisine, often with a plant-based focus that draws on the rich local terroir. Guests can choose from 4-, 6-, or 8-course tasting menus, or experience a more casual "bistronomic" meal at the bistro "La Salle à Manger". A unique offering is "La Table Haute," where the chef prepares a farm-to-table meal in a 19th-century kitchen in front of up to 12 guests.
Breakfast is available as an American or continental option, served buffet-style with local and organic products, or à la carte. It can be enjoyed in the elegant Louis XV Lounge, in the privacy of the guest's room, or, weather permitting, in the beautiful garden overlooking the Palais des Papes. The wine list is extensive, with a strong emphasis on organic and low-intervention producers, particularly from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. Guests frequently praise the food as "beautifully displayed and delectable," and the service as "superb" and "impeccable."
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at La Mirande consistently receive glowing reviews. Guests describe them as "exceptional," "very friendly and helpful," "attentive," "professional," and "accommodating." Staff members are noted for going "above and beyond" to assist guests, including helping with winery visits and taxi arrangements. Concierge services are also available to assist with excursions and local guides.
6. Location & Accessibility
La Mirande boasts an "amazing" and "excellent" location in the heart of Avignon, situated directly opposite the Palais des Papes. This prime position places many of Avignon's key attractions, such as the Place de l'Horloge, Pont d'Avignon, and Musee du Petit Palais, within a 10-minute walk. The immediate area is bustling with shops and restaurants. Avignon itself serves as an excellent base for exploring the wider Provence region, including sights like the Pont du Gard and towns such as Les Baux, Nimes, and Arles. For those arriving by car, it is advised to "get CLEAR directions on parking." Private parking is available on-site for a surcharge. The nearest train station is a 15-minute drive away, while Marseille Provence Airport is approximately an hour's drive.
7. Value & Pricing
La Mirande is considered a luxury property, and its pricing reflects the high level of service, historic ambiance, and Michelin-recognized dining and accommodation. Double rooms typically range from €395.00 to €925.00, with breakfast being an additional €38.00. While it is a significant investment, many guests feel it is "well worth the price" for the unique and grand experience it offers. On review platforms, "value for money" is rated at 7.8, suggesting that while it is pricey, the quality generally meets expectations for a discerning clientele.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:
- Room Size: A few guests have commented that the rooms can feel "too small," though this is often qualified by noting they are "average by European standards."
- Parking: Guests driving rental cars have advised getting "CLEAR directions on parking" due to potential difficulty. On-site parking is also a surcharge.
- Occasional Service Issues: While rare, one review for the restaurant mentioned "horrible service," being "mocked for being cold," and staff trying to rush orders. However, this appears to be an outlier amidst a sea of positive service feedback.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, some minor recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:
About Two Michelin Keys
Two Michelin Keys recognize hotels that provide an excellent stay experience. These properties stand out for their remarkable quality, distinctive character, and superior service that goes above and beyond expectations.
