The Top 5 family-friendly places to stay according to the Frommer's Provence and Cote d'Azur With Your Family authors, Vicki Trott & Louise Simpson
To be published in April 2008
Vicki Trott and Louise Simpson, authors of Frommer's Provence & the Cote d'Azur With Your Family travel guide, recommend the best places to stay in the South of France.
Orion Bed & Breakfast
Saint-Paul de Vence, [tel] 04-93-24-87-51/06-75-45-18-64
With accommodation in tree houses named after Rudyard Kipling characters, the Orion Bed & Breakfast in the French Riviera’s Arrière-Pays is an eco-friendly kids’ paradise. Natural fabrics are used in tree houses scattered around the forested garden, while the outdoor pool is filtered through stones and aquatic plants. Kids will love the trampoline, while adults will find the communal microwave, fridge and kitchenware useful.
Villa d’Estelle
Cannes, [tel] 04-92-98-44-48
The Villa d’Estelle is one of the French Riviera’s best-kept secrets. This stylish apartment hotel more than makes up for its lack of sea views (except from the four-bedroom penthouse suite) with its reasonable prices and convenient location minutes from La Croisette. From studios to three-bedroom apartments, all have fully-equipped American-style kitchens that are perfect for families that want to combine self-catering with hotel service.
La Bastide de Moustiers
Moustiers Sainte-Marie, [tel] 04-92-70-47-47
A bastion of luxury near to the Verdon Gorges, Alain Ducasse’s La Bastide de Moustiers is the perfect overnight option for the well-heeled. Although the fine-dining restaurant won’t appeal to younger kids, they offer junior menus on request and excellent picnic baskets for al fresco lunches. As well as the heated pool with Jacuzzi, little ones can enjoy the horses, chickens and Bambi-like deer, while older kids can explore the surrounding parkland on mountain bikes.
Hotel Beauvallon
Ste-Maxime, [tel] 04 94 55 78 88
From skin-gentle bath products to cartoon-character sheets on their beds or cots, this Belle Epoque palace knows how to cater for little ones in style. If you can’t find them to get ready for dinner at swanky Les Colonnades restaurant (Young Gourmet menu, of course), they’re probably playing in the Wendy House or watching movies in the cinema. All the family will enjoy sunning themselves on the private beach or around the 25m pool - and a trip over to St Tropez on the private speedboat is a must.
Camping Crin Blanc
The Camargue, [tel] 04 66 87 48 78
In the heart of the Camargue, this campsite is the perfect place for families on a budget. Accommodation is in blue and white mobile homes or chalets, most sleeping up to six people (baby beds and chairs are available on request). Kids will enjoy splashing around in one of two heated pools (there’s one specifically for children), playing tennis and ping-pong, exploring the playground or making new amis in the mini-club (activities for 3-10 year olds in July and August). The friendly proprietors can also organise horse-riding, diving lessons and visits to local places of interest.
For further information or to request a review copy, please contact Julia Lampam
For US queries, please contact Lori Sayde-Merhtens
To buy the book, click here
978-0-470-72314-2, £12.99, Paperback
