In the know

Our favourite rooms: Deluxe rooms and suites with pool-views and original stone balconies are an enticing mid-range choice, decorated in beige and chocolate hues. Alternatively, lovebirds may want to follow the oak steps that spiral up to the honeymoon suite, La Cassine, which is tucked away behind a small wooden door, in the oldest part of the building. Walls are simple whitewash; furnishings in regal purple add pools of colour. The bedroom has a vaulted arch ceiling and overlooks the terraced gardens and pond.
Packing tips: Leave room in your suitcase to fill with goodies from the hotel’s L’Occitane boutique, where their exclusive Le Couvent des Minimes range is sold.
Also: The spa is open by appointment from 10am–8pm. Treatments are deservedly popular, so remember to book.

Current offers

Smith card offer: Free use of the L’Occitane spa

More photos

Le Couvent des Minimes

Provence, France[view map]

Style: Characterful converted convent
Setting: Lush L’Occitane land

Inspired by the fragrant lavender, roses and verbena that grow around its stately stone facade, Le Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & Spa is a paean to L’Occitane. Once home to Minimes monks, then Franciscan sisters, this sensual hotel has an enticing spa and 15-acre aromatic gardens, the fruits of which are served up in the gastronomic restaurant.

Need to know

Rooms: 46, including six suites.
Rates: €170–€850, including tax; excludes breakfast (€29).
Check-out: 12pm but flexible, subject to availability and a room charge of 50 per cent until 6pm. Earliest check-in, 3pm.
Facilities: Spa, gym, aromatic gardens, wine cellar, pétanque pitch, tennis court, a former church used for exhibitions and events, a pool table, a library of DVDs and CDs and free WiFi. In rooms: flatscreen TV, DVD player, minibar, L'Occitane toiletries.
Poolside: There is an outdoor pool and an indoor pool to dip into.
Also: The hotel has two rooms with wheelchair-accessible rooms. Pooches that notch up 5kg or less on the scales are welcome and smokers can light up on the outside terraces.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant: Le Cloître is one of the area’s most renowned restaurants, serving simple but sophisticated gastronomic fare. Vegetables and spices plundered from the hotel’s gardens flavour the menu – expect taste-teasers such as John Dory with crystallised lemon and dried fruit and nuts. Stop for a casual buffet lunch at Bancaou, the summer restaurant next to the swimming pool.
Dress code: If you’re dining at Le Cloître, complement the flower-packed gardens with a delicate floral-print shirt or skirt for dinner; anything goes in Bancaou.
Top table: In summer, Le Cloître’s gold-and-russet striped chairs are moved out into the courtyard; sit indoors by the open fire in winter.
Last orders: Breakfast is served up from 7am–10.30am, lunch is from noon until 2pm and dinner is 7.30pm–10pm.
Room service: A selection of salads, sandwiches, starters, mains or desserts, are available from 7am until 11pm.
Hotel bar: Le Pesquier lounge bar is decorated in ocean-grey, caramel and cream shades, with plump sofas and armchairs, and sleek bar stools. During high season, Le Caveau des Minimes is open. This bar overlooks the pool and has a terrace to sit out on. There’s also the wine cellar, La Cornue, which can be used in the evenings for special tastings.

Also worth knowing

Children: Mini Smiths are welcome, with cots and extra beds provided free for under 12s. The restaurant has a menu tailored to tots, and hotel staff can provide babysitting for €15 an hour (book this 24 hours in advance).

Smith Members offer

Free use of the L’Occitane spa

If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).

Click here to become a Mr & Mrs Smith member

Book this hotel

To book this hotel please click here, or contact our travel team on 1 866 610 3867.