Hotel Les Bories & Spa stands on the road to the Abbaye de Sénanque, a couple of kilometres from the hilltop village of Gordes, with the Luberon Regional Park starting almost at the door. It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and it takes its name from the bories, the dry-stone huts that dot this part of Provence, and from the stone-built farmhouse atmosphere that runs through the property. The setting is the real draw: limestone, lavender fields in season, olive trees and views across the valley to the Vaucluse hills, with the abbey a two-minute drive away. The hotel has an indoor pool, a seasonal outdoor pool of around twenty metres, a full spa called La Maison d’Ennea with massages, facials and body treatments, a sauna, a steam room and a gym. For dining there is Le Gourmet, the gastronomic restaurant serving French cuisine, and Le Bistrot for lighter meals, plus a bar and lounge and a poolside bar.
Location and getting around
You need a car, or a taxi, to enjoy this part of the Luberon. The Château de Gordes and the village centre are about seven minutes by car, the abbey two, and the hill villages of Roussillon, Lourmarin and Bonnieux are all within an hour. Free self parking is available on site, and bicycles can be rented. Avignon is about forty minutes by road, and the closest train station is at L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, roughly half an hour away by car.
Rooms
The standard and superior double rooms have a queen bed, while the rooms with a terrace or balcony have a king bed and room for a third guest. All have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. If you can, choose a terrace room for the valley view and a quiet breakfast outside. Extra beds are available for a fee, and pets are accepted for a fee.
Who it suits
Couples on a romantic trip, food lovers, spa-goers and hikers or cyclists who want to explore the Luberon on foot or by bike. It is not the place for a short stop with a tight itinerary, because the point of staying is to slow down. Families can be accommodated, but the atmosphere is quiet and adult.
Good to know
Breakfast is a buffet charged per person unless it is part of your rate. Check-in begins in the afternoon, and late arrivals should tell the hotel in advance. Cards are accepted, but cash is not. A city tax is added per person per night. The outdoor pool is seasonal, so if swimming matters, check when you book. Lavender is at its best in early summer, and the abbey is much busier at that time, so book early.
Making the most of the stay
Gordes itself is beautiful but crowded in the middle of the day, so plan to visit early or in the evening and spend the hot hours by the pool or in the spa. The Sénanque abbey, the market towns and the ochre cliffs of Roussillon are all easy half-day outings, and the hotel can help with restaurant bookings and walking routes.
Why stay here
- ✓Luberon hillside setting near Gordes
- ✓Indoor pool and seasonal outdoor pool
- ✓La Maison d’Ennea spa
- ✓Sauna, steam room and gym
- ✓Le Gourmet restaurant
- ✓Le Bistrot and poolside bar
- ✓Free on-site parking
- ✓Bicycle rental
Good questions
How far is Hotel Les Bories & Spa from Gordes?+
The village centre and the château are about seven minutes by car, and the Abbaye de Sénanque is two minutes away.
Does Hotel Les Bories & Spa have parking?+
Yes, free self parking is available on site. A car is the best way to explore the Luberon from here.
Is there a pool at Hotel Les Bories & Spa?+
Yes, there is an indoor pool and a seasonal outdoor pool, as well as a spa, a sauna and a steam room. Check when you book for current pool opening.
