Les Bories & SPA

Les Bories & SPA, Gordes, France: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

Les Bories & SPA, nestled in the picturesque Luberon region just outside the enchanting village of Gordes, consistently garners high praise for its breathtaking setting, exceptional service, and luxurious amenities. This Michelin Key Selected property offers guests a serene and sophisticated Provençal escape, blending historic charm with contemporary comforts.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Les Bories & SPA is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their experience as "BEAUTIFUL," "magical," "first rate," "exceptional," and "perfection in Provence". The hotel holds a "wonderful" rating based on hundreds of reviews, underscoring its reputation as a top-tier luxury destination.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several standout features:

• Location & Scenery: The hotel's position within an 8-hectare estate of olive trees, cypresses, oaks, and lavender provides stunning panoramic views of the Luberon Valley in every direction. The meticulously maintained grounds and gardens are a significant draw.
• Amenities: The "enormous" outdoor pool in a beautiful setting is a major highlight, complemented by a glass-encased indoor pool and a comprehensive spa. The spa, La Maison d'Ennea, offers a range of globally-inspired treatments, a sauna, hammam, and fitness center.
• Service: The staff are frequently described as "fabulous," "excellent," "helpful," "very friendly," "attentive," and "professional".
• Culinary Delights: The dining experiences, particularly the "outstanding" and "yummy" breakfast buffet and the Michelin-starred restaurant, are highly commended.
• Complimentary Afternoon Tea: A delightful touch that many guests appreciate is the complimentary afternoon tea, often enjoyed with an amazing view.

3. Room Quality

Rooms at Les Bories & SPA are praised for their comfort and design. They are typically described as "clean and comfortable," with a "bright and sleek design inside". Many rooms are "roomy with great views" and feature "sliding glass doors opening onto leafy private terraces," allowing guests to immerse themselves in the Provençal landscape. All rooms and suites are air-conditioned and include a flat-screen satellite TV and separate toilets in the private bathrooms. Some rooms are located in a restored farmhouse, offering a blend of traditional elegance and modern sophistication.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a distinguished culinary experience:

• Michelin-Starred Restaurant: "Le Gourmet" is the gastronomic restaurant, awarded a Michelin star, serving refined French and Provençal cuisine with an emphasis on local, seasonal products from the Luberon, such as Sisteron lamb and Mediterranean fish. It is open for dinner and offers an alliance of elegance and refinement.
• Bistro & Pool Club: For a more relaxed setting, there is also a bistro and a poolside club, both serving meals.
• Breakfast: The breakfast buffet is frequently highlighted as "superb" and "outstanding," offering a wide range of cheeses, fresh juices, and excellent quality continental and hot dishes. Poolside lunch is also described as "wonderful".
• Complimentary Afternoon Tea: A "yummy complimentary afternoon tea" is offered, often with "amazing view[s]".

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at Les Bories & SPA is a consistent highlight for guests. Staff are repeatedly commended for being "fabulous," "excellent at providing first-class service," "helpful," "very friendly," "attentive," and "very professional". Guests appreciate that "nothing was too much trouble and attention to detail was to be seen everywhere".

6. Location & Accessibility

Les Bories & SPA boasts an enviable location "just outside of Gordes," easily walkable to the village. It is set within an expansive 8-hectare estate, offering tranquility and stunning "panoramic views over the Luberon". The hotel is a short 5-minute drive from the center of Gordes. Its central position in the Luberon also makes it an excellent base for exploring other charming Provençal towns like Avignon, Roussillon, and L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The property offers free private parking and an on-site heliport.

7. Value & Pricing

While Les Bories & SPA is a luxury property, it generally receives a positive "Value for money" score of 8.3 out of 10 from guest reviews. Room rates can start from around $317. Specific offers found indicate prices around 605 EUR to 740 EUR for two people.

It's important to note some additional costs:

• Buffet breakfast is offered for an extra charge, approximately EUR 25 for adults and EUR 12 for children.
• Access to the full spa experience, including sauna, steam room, and waterbed, is €25 per person.
• A city tax of EUR 3.60 per person, per night, is applied (not for children under 18).
• Rollaway beds are available for EUR 35.0 per day, and pets are allowed for an extra charge of EUR 25.00 per pet, per night.

Some guests have expressed a feeling of being "always offering something chargeable".

8. Common Complaints

While the vast majority of feedback is positive, a few minor recurring issues or criticisms have been noted by some guests:

• Perception of Extra Charges: A sentiment of "always offering something chargeable" was expressed by a guest, suggesting that some services that might be expected as inclusive in a luxury hotel come with an additional cost.
• Food Pricing/Quality (Minor): One guest mentioned that the "food wasn't great and expensive," though this is contrary to most reviews praising the dining.
• Pool Temperature: A minor complaint highlighted that the pools were "not quite as warm as I would have liked" by one guest.
• Breakfast Buffet Warmth: Another minor point mentioned the hot water bath for soft-boiled eggs at breakfast was "not quite warm enough," leading to longer cooking times.
• Inconsistent Service (Isolated): While rare, one review noted "Zero service and professionalism" and another mentioned a waiter directing them to the buffet for water, which they felt was below the standard for a luxury hotel.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. booking.com
3. hotels.com
4. pointsmiler.com
5. travelated.com
6. slh.com
7. expedia.com
8. hotellesbories.com