Mr & Mrs Smith

A beautiful renovation with much attention to detail. Retains the character of this beautiful French property. Set in a quiet hamlet, very close to Uzès, in an ideal location. Anna is the most attentive host and her breakfast's are a delight. We had a lovely meal at Le Tracteur, recommended and booked for us by Anna.

Finding your way to the hotel might be a little tricky, there are no addresses in the town, (then again there are only about five houses in total) but it is well worth it. Les Sardines is a haven of peace and quiet. The lovely hosts take their time to show you around the stunning property and give you your money's worth in restaurant and sights recommendations At the recommendations of our hosts we ate at Au Fil de L'eau in Uzes on the first night. The restaurant is located in a beautiful old stone building in the center of town and the seafood-inspired dishes are stunning. The wine selection alone is worth the detour. Breakfast was served the next morning in the courtyard and there was something for everyone; croissants, cheeses, jams, bread. The food was simple and delicious. Olivier and Anna Karin's homemade jam was divine. The next day on Olivier's recommendation again, we had lunch at L'atelier de Jean Luc Rabanel in Arles. We were told we were very lucky to get a table with no bookings, so it might be worth looking into in advance. The restaurant has 1 Michelin star and is beyond delicious.

What a fantastic hotel – truly stunning and with such welcoming hosts. One evening we bought bread, cheese and ham and happily sat in the beautiful courtyard enjoying the peace and quiet. But there is also a cheap and cheerful pizza-style restaurant in the neighbouring village – an easy 20-minute walk, but if you are going in the evening ask for a torch. It was completely pitch black on our way back to the hotel after dinner, and the path takes you beside the graveyard – not for the faint-hearted!

Les Sardines' owner Oliver recommended Le Tracteur (+33 (0)4 66 37 19 31) in Sanilhac about 10km from the hotel. The restaurant is a modern take on the traditional southern French bistro: expect a small menu with huge taste, and perfect food and service. The fantastic wine-list local to the area was an absolute gem. The other not-to-miss is the market in Uzes (the local town) on Wednesdays or Saturdays – local produce at its very best. Try the saucisson, cheese, fish and wine. Why we can't replicate this quality in the UK is beyond me!

There are two outstanding restaurants in the area: Le Castellas at Collias (+33 (0)4 66 22 88 88) and Alexandre at Garons (+33 (0)4 66 70 08 99). Both have two Michelin stars and are well worth a visit. The latter's Chariot of Desserts has to be seen to be believed. It's also worth taking a trip to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, no more than an hour away, to stock up on wine!