Deals of the day
Gecko Hotel & Beach Club Formentera
In the beautiful and protected island of Formentera, Gecko Hotel & Beach Club was set out for like-minded individuals to unwind, connect with oneself and nature and above all celebrate life. Gecko brings to Formentera a new form of hospitality that unites our love for the island, the beach life and the elegance of a time in the past that continues to inspire us. Our clublike restaurant, in front of the Migjorn beach, offers a…
Cavo Tagoo Santorini
The exclusive Cavo Tagoo Santorini, twin of Cavo Tagoo Mykonos is located within walking distance from Fira and just a few kilometers from Oia, the resort offers luxurious suites, spectacular sunsets over the sea and a personalized service exceptional. All Suites are modern and feature a hot tub or private pool on the terrace style, design details, 43-inch LCD satellite TV, patio or terrace with stunning panoramic view…
Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery
In search for unique places, sometimes you need to get off the main roads. However, let them lead you to Bale, Istria. Then slow down and follow the road that gets narrower with every mile, as nature draws closer. Slow down even more, and then make a turn into the white road. As the iron gates of the Meneghetti estate open up in front of you, stop for just one moment – and realize that the magic actually appears off the…
Château de La Chèvre d’Or
Nature is everywhere at Château de la Chèvre d’Or. There are lots of different gardens filled with sculptures, fountains, waterfalls, flowers, herbs, trees and shrubs. The area is perfumed with the scents of jasmine, bougainvillea and roses. The magnificent colors create a framework that blends into the horizon and the sea…
Il San Pietro Di Positano
The San Pietro di Positano is more than a hotel. It is a journey within a journey, where memories are created and never forgotten. A haven of peace, immersed in nature, this elegant home harmonises old-world traditions of hospitality with contemporary, understated luxury. Escape to this small slice of paradise suspended between the sea and sky. Carved into the cliff overlooking the mediterranean Sea, our rooms are a…
Cocos Hotel Antigua
Perched on a lush green hillside, encircled by miles of heavenly blue sea and sandwiched between two gorgeous white sand beaches is COCOS Hotel, an all inclusive Antigua resort for couples and adults only. This rustic yet romantic and cozy boutique resort is located on the sunset side of the beautiful Caribbean Island of Antigua and comprises of a collection of 35 quaint wooden Cottages positioned on a pictoresque…
Bawah Reserve
A gorgeous tropical paradise surrounded by a blue ocean, Bawah Reserve sits in sheltered seclusion 160 nautical miles (300km) northeast of Singapore in the remote Anambas Archipelago, Indonesia. This pristine and previously uninhabited marine conservation area is surrounded by turquoise lagoons and coral reefs, which cater to outdoor adventurers looking to indulge as well as those looking to relax in paradise…
Boutique Hotel Die Alpbacherin
The history of DER ALPBACHERIN began in the former Angelika house. Some time ago, in the middle of Alpbach, at house number 405, stood the small bed and breakfast “Haus Angelika”. Georg and Lisa ran them with a lot of love. The success proved you right and so the desire for a new place for more guests was born. A dream came true. Together with daughter Valentina and her boyfriend Thomas, plans, dreams and…
Juma Amazon Lodge
With its prime location in one of the most remote and preserved regions of the Amazon Rainforest, Juma Amazon Lodge is an intimate and inviting property harmoniously nestled into the forest environment which defines it. Juma Amazon Lodge features 19 intimate bungalows seamlessly nestled into the lush surroundings of the Amazon Rainforest. In order to accommodate the water levels of the wet season…
Villa Principe Leopoldo Lugano
Live in a fairy tale, surrounded by prestige and nature. Imagine contemplating Lugano’s beauty in a princely residence. The former private home of German Emperor Wilhelm’s brother in law, the Villa is located on a picturesque promontory called the Collina d’Oro (Golden Hill), whose views and location are the best kept secret in town. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live in a legendary home, a stay…
Cliveden House
Cliveden House is a privately owned 5 Red Star award-winning hotel, and sister to the world-renowned Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in Hampshire. Our story is one of over 350 years of powerful personalities, iconic parties and scandalous affairs. Built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, as a gift to his mistress, Cliveden House has remained a pinnacle of…
Relais Borgo Santo Pietro
Situated in the heart of Tuscany, Relais Borgo Santo Pietro was once a healing stopover for medieval pilgrims. Today it continues to provide a sanctuary for modern souls, merging a 5 star luxury hotel and spa concept with a ‘farm to plate’ philosophy on a 300-acre estate. A sumptuous feeling of home pervades the 800-year-old luxury farmhouse hotel, with its worn leather armchairs pulled up around open fires, fresh flower…
Laucala Island Fiji
A private island refuge in the South Pacific, Laucala unites dramatic rainforest-laced landscapes and white sandy beaches with unparalleled levels of luxury and privacy. No expense has been spared at the exclusive tropical hideaway, where 25 Fijian-styled villas are set amid coconut plantations, beside deserted beaches and atop the island’s volcanic mountains, overlooking fertile coral reefs and endless jungle. Style and…
Casa Casuarina Miami
Casa Casuarina was built in 1930 by Alden Freeman. Alden Freeman’s father, Joel Freeman was Treasurer of The Standard Oil Trust (also known as Rockefeller’s Company) and left Alden a fabulous wealth when he passed away. That gave the young and wealthy Alden the opportunity to retire at the age of 27 from being an architect and travel all over the world. Alden was also a descendent of the Mayflower on his mother’s side…
Azulik Tulum
In the heart of the Mayan jungle, a revolutionary project is about to redefine human evolution. A new vision of the future that is guided by ancestral knowledge and creates community is beginning to shape up.The VILLAS of AZULIK Tulum are built in harmony with the Mayan jungle and the Caribbean Sea. With no electric light, A/C, or television, we present nature as our main amenity, setting the perfect mood for a…
Villa Belvedere Taormina
Hotel Villa Belvedere is a delightful and charming boutique hotel, located at just a few minutes from Taormina’s lively town centre and from the world-famous Greek-Roman Theatre, which are both reachable by walking through the inspiring and panoramic Duca di Cesarò Botanic Gardens. The hotel benefits of wonderful views over the sea, the bay of Naxos and Mount Etna. The hotel has always been…
Kudadoo Private Island
Kudadoo’s renowned eco-consciousness and sleek design extend to the Maldives island’s 15 over-water residences where your uninterrupted enjoyment of the private island charm and the splendid natural surrounds are the norm….
La Clef Champs-Élysées Paris
La Clef Champs-Élysées Paris, a 5-star hotel in the centre of Paris, offers you a unique stay in a typically Parisian atmosphere. The building was built in 1907 by the Hennessy family, during the enchanting interlude offered by the Paris of the “Belle Époque”. Reflecting this magical era, our luxury hotel in Paris embodies a certain French art de vivre. La Clef Champs-Élysées Paris enjoys an idyllic setting and immerses you in the…
Il Sereno Como
Il Sereno brings a new era of luxury to the banks of Italy’s iconic Lake Como. Awarded the title of “Most Anticipated New Luxury Hotel Opening in 2016” by Luxury Travel Advisor magazine, Il Sereno’s ethos of understated elegance presents a freshness to this well-established destination. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, Wallpaper* Magazine Designer of The Year 2015, the all-suite hotel promises modern style and an authentic…
Aria Hotel Budapest
The Aria Hotel Budapest is a luxury boutique hotel with an exquisite design inspired by music. To compliment the musical concept, master designer Zoltan Varro’s vision was to simultaneously recreate the rich, lavish atmosphere of a historic Hungarian palace while also embracing visitors in the warmth and comfort of a private residence…
Palazzo Navona Rome
The innovative Palazzo Navona Hotel fully deserved of its role as being amongst one of the most qualified 4 star Hotels within the city “centro”, capable of fulfilling its own lifestyle qualities to satisfy even the most demanding guest. The intimate and charming ambience emits a feeling of almost magic by creating a special atmosphere which pervades this residence surrounded by its historical-art and ancient Roman…
Royal Mansour Marrakech
The Royal Mansour can be counted amongst the few establishments in the world that defy hotel excellence. Just a few steps away from the famous Jemaa El Fna square beats the heart of the Marrakesh Palace, offering travellers the unique concept of a medina within a medina.
Each area has been designed to intuitively take guests on a sensory journey. Take a step into the secret and sumptuous history of one of the…
Piccolo Hotel Portofino
Hotel Piccolo Portofino, surrounded by the typical luxuriant vegetation of the Liguria Riviera, among the crystal clear water of Portofino and the blue sky, is a piece of art of the reception, unique of its kind. A hidden jewel, that has to be searched end discovered. Obtained from a refined period villa, today it is a boutique hotel, and from its generous terraces, a breathtaking view onto this exclusive stretch of coast…
Mnemba Island Lodge
Steeped in culture and history, Zanzibar enticed adventurers, seafarers and traders from far and wide. Known as the spice island, from the centuries old trade of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon, today the Zanzibar Archipelago is still bathed in the heady scents of spices and traditional dhows still drift across the horizon. A romantic hideaway, Mnemba Island is an exclusive paradise featuring twelve rustically chic beachside…
Like magic, the Gleize family have been bringing this former 18th century post house to life for generations. It all began with a motorbike breakdown at the bend in a road near Château-Arnoux. Pierre Gleize, a confectioner by trade, crossed paths with Arlette Rey.
Her family owned the former post house, which had been converted into an inn. It wouldn’t be too long before their son Jany was born, along with the hotel of La Bonne Étape, a symbol of their meeting.
The family-run hotel welcomes travellers and foodies from around the world seeking some rest and recreation in the great outdoors. In a setting that seems to come right out of a novel by the Provençal writer Jean Giono, with the village on one side and the hills on the other, discover 18 rooms and suites.
A charming and authentic house, La Bonne Étape in Château-Arnoux welcomes you on an exceptional stay in a cosy, elegant and relaxing setting. Whether by the fireplace in the cosy atmosphere of the bar with its selected aperitifs and liqueurs, or in the dining hall of the Michelin star-rated restaurant, your days here will be just as good as the nights.
In summer, the little pockets of shade, vegetable garden, swimming pool and furnished terrace provide areas of peace and quiet for a truly outstanding sweet escape. This is where you can get away from it all!
A stay at La Bonne Étape is also your invitation to pass the time in the vegetable garden, where you can feel free and at one with nature. The pride and joy of Jany Gleize, the “Jean Rey” organic vegetable garden is named after his farmer grandfather, and neighbours the property.
Forgotten varieties, vegetables, aromatic plants, flowers and fruit sit side by side in a lovingly organised pastoral setting. The colours, smells and flavours find their way into the restaurant’s dishes.
The English-style garden with its Provençal flair is a lovely spot to while away the hours at your own pace. If available, the master of the house will be happy to explain to you how the organic garden works, and how “grelinette” forking has replaced traditional digging methods.
ROOMS & SUITES
On the Route Napoléon connecting the Alps with the Côte d’Azur, the Relais & Châteaux hotel La Bonne Étape welcomes you year-round in a dreamlike setting. The 4-star hotel has 18 charming rooms, equipped with modern comfort and decorated in different styles with vintage furniture.
Enjoy a varied gourmet continental breakfast in our dining room, or in your room if you prefer. The historical character of our building does not currently allow us to have rooms with PRM access, but we will soon be planning some renovation work.
JUNIOR SUITE DELUXE
The Junior Suites de Luxe of about 35m² are very comfortable with a living room and a bedroom equipped with a double bed or twin beds. Terrace or balcony depending on the floor. View on the garden. Bathroom with bath and/or shower.
DELUXE ROOM
With a surface area of around 25 m², the deluxe superior rooms (with king-size bed or twin beds) have a balcony or a terrace, with views over the garden or pool. Bathroom with a bath and/or shower. Our deluxe rooms are perfect for a romantic getaway in Provence.
LA BONNE ETAPE RESTAURANT
Welcome to La Bonne Étape hotel and restaurant, a family business where friendliness meets authenticity and gourmet cuisine. Enjoy this warm setting where you’ll be able to taste delectable cuisine, one full of tradition that will speak to the soul.
Inspired by the hotel’s vegetable garden and using quality local meat and fish, Jany Gleize’s cuisine reinvents some of the classic Provençal recipes made by his grandmother Gabrielle.
The desserts, such as the famous lavender honey ice cream served in honeycomb, are an ode to his confectioner father Pierre. The chef and the team will be more than happy to assist you in choosing from the menu, before wishing you the heartiest “Bon appétit” you’ll ever hear!
Jany Gleize, a local born in Château-Arnoux, has taken the baton of the family institution. His passion for the region comes out through his cuisine, rich in both flavour and colour. After finishing school, he started his career at “La Bonne Auberge” in Antibes, run by Jo Rostang.
He then continued working at some of France’s top restaurants, perfecting his skills with Pierre and Jean Troisgros in Roanne in 1976, then with Alain Chapel in Mionnay from 1977 to 1978, and with Michel Guérard in 1979. In 1980, he spent six months as a waiter at the restaurant of London’s “Connaught Hotel”.
Returning to Château-Arnoux in 1981, he took charge of the restaurant and the hotel. Yet Jany still couldn’t stop himself from travelling the world to take part in food festivals and gastronomic galas.
On 14th July 1989, Jany Gleize was invited by the French President François Mitterrand to prepare a dinner for heads of state for the bicentenary of the French Revolution. Today, he and his team welcome you with great pride and joy with one thing dictating the proceedings above all – your well-being!
COOKING CLASSES IN PROVENCE
Enjoy cookery lessons with the Michelin star chef and discover the great flavours of Provence. The chef will share with you a cuisine with strong roots in the local countryside. Lessons with Jany Gleize will teach you how to cook – and enjoy it – in a friendly, accessible and generous fashion.
BISTRO GABY
“Gabrielle, my grandmother, used to cook here in the middle of the last century, preparing the products that my grandfather Jean, a farmer, would bring her. She used to treat us to casseroles, tasty salads, fragrant gratins and tempting stews. It is to perpetuate this spirit that Au Gout Du Jour became Bistro Gaby. Bon appétit”
THE ALPS OF HAUTE PROVENCE
Here, you’ll pass from the Alps to the Mediterranean and pass charming villages along the banks of the River Durance. There’s so much to discover – Sisteron with its citadel; Château-Arnoux–Saint-Auban with the Saint-Jean chapel decorated by acclaimed artist Bernar Venet; Montfort and the Saint-Donat church; the peaks of the Pénitents des Mées with their magical silhouettes; Ganagobie Priory; the hilltop town of Lurs; the Pays de Forcalquier; Digne-les-Bains in the heart of the 3 Vallées ski resort; Valensole Plateau and its lavender fields; Manosque and its medieval citadel; Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and its famed ceramics; the Luberon and its hilltop villages; the Gorges du Verdon and the Lake Sainte-Croix; and last but not least, the legendary Route Napoléon.
There’s also a ton of leisure activities on offer, including hiking, cycling, horse-riding, golf, climbing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, balloon flights and gliding at the Saint-Auban National Centre. All the joys of nature in the Alps of Haute-Provence!
Located near the Haute-Provence Natural Geological Reserve, La Bonne Étape is your gateway to superb landscapes of mountains, hills and lavender fields.
TOWNS & VILLAGES OF HAUTE PROVENCE
The hotel and restaurant La Bonne Étape, located between Aix-en-Provence and Gap, is the perfect place from which to visit the nearby charming towns and villages. The Alps of Haute-Provence are full of absolute gems and an exceptional heritage. Located 15 minutes from the hotel on the Route Napoléon, Sisteron is the gateway to Provence.
Its location by the River Durance, its citadel facing the Baume cliff and its network of winding streets, have made it an admirable site. Just a half hour away between the mountains of Lure and the Luberon, Forcalquier is one of the major centres in Haute-Provence.
Digne-les-Bains, just 25 minutes away, possesses an impressive geological reserve. Manosque is a magnificent medieval city dotted with fountains and small squares. Writer and native of the region Jean Giono claimed the town’s greatest treasure is its beauty.
Moustiers Sainte Marie, at the gates to the Gorges du Verdon, is a hot spot for ceramics. All these southern towns host Provençal markets full of colour. Also worth seeing are the villages of Cruis, Lurs, Mane and Dauphin, listed as “Villages et cités de caractère” (Villages and Towns of Character”).
The “Villages et cités de caractère” road links these villages as well as providing superb view points over the most stunning landscapes in the Alps of Haute-Provence. By taking this route that crosses varied landscapes, you’ll pass through large lavender fields and up to the Alpine peaks.
THE GREAT SIGHTS OF PROVENCE
The Alps of Haute-Provence boast an impressive number of tourist sites. Once you leave the hotel, you’ll have so much to see and do!
The legendary Route Napoléon passes through Castellane, Barrême, Digne-les-Bains, Malijai and Sisteron in Haute-Provence. Nearby, you’ll find the Pénitents des Mées, rocky blocks over 100 m tall spread over 3 km that resemble a group of monks with pointed caps.
There’s also Ganagobie Priory, a monastery founded in the 10th century that houses a community of Benedictine monks, as well as Salagon Priory and its remarkable gardens created following ethnobotany principles.
You can also visit the Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir sanctuary in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, where the church has a Lombard Romanesque bell tower, one of the loveliest in all Provence.
Just 25 minutes from the hotel is Digne-les-Bains. Birthplace of the UNESCO Geopark initiative, you’ll be able to discover its past and geological history up to the creation of the thermal baths renowned the world over for the quality of its water.
You’ll also be able to appreciate the ammonites slabs, plus visit such museums as the Musée Promenade and the Musée Gassendi, an interaction between art and science, the ancient and modern, and the indoors and outdoors.
There’s also the Alexandra David-Néel Museum, the home of the eponymous explorer and the first European woman to reach the forbidden city of Lhassa in Tibet in 1924.
HAUTE PROVENCE IN ALL ITS SPLENDOUR
The Alps of Haute-Provence present avast variety of landscapes before your very eyes. Along the countless small roads and paths, you’ll pass unique and magical locations in the Pays de Forcalquier or from the Durance Valley to the high mountains on the Barcelonnette side, from the dazzling Gorges du Verdon to the technicolor fields of lavender in the Valensole plateau.
The light and colour bring out a strange, indescribable beauty in the landscapes. Between Luberon and Contadour where dry-stone sheep pens can be found, the Pays de Forcalquier and the Lure mountain are an ode to nature and traditional Provençal culture.
This landscape was dear to Jean Giono, a native of the area and writer of works such as “The Man Who Planted Trees” and “Hill of Destiny”. The geological reserve of Haute-Provence is spread out over 200,000 hectares between the Alps of Haute-Provence and the Var, making it one of the largest in Europe.
An open-air museum of nature if there ever was one, it will lead you to the gateway of the Verdon Natural Regional Park. The Gorges du Verdon, along with Lakes Sainte-Croix and Esparron, are just an hour by car from the hotel.
The location of the hotel will allow you to also enjoy wonderful day trips to the Luberon. The hilltop villages and the Luberon Regional Park offer an outstanding natural heritage and countless historic sites worth visiting.
WINE TOUR BETWEEN ALPS & PROVENCE
Do you wish to know it all about this exceptional terroir located between provencal warmth and cool mountains? Beside a wine-trained professional guide and passionate winegrowers, take a full day to discover confidential vineyards known in our Bonne Etape.
Learn the secrets of the vine, the vinification techniques displayed in the wine cellars, the tasting vocabulary used by the aficionados of this sweet elixir. Extend the instant by savouring a few references which will get you acquainted to the different flavours proposed by this terroir.
THE GORGES DU VERDON
Nature has its way of dazzling us and the only true way to experience it is in person. Nothing is worth an actual dive into this reality. During a whole guided day, live sensory moments in the heart of the greatest European canyon. Enjoy a pedestrian hike or a nautical one with a kayak on the Verdon.
Also visit a picturesque village, jewel of the Gorges nestled against a rocky escarpment and often compared to a provencal crèche, and renowned for its faïence craftpersons. This is the ideal escape to daydream of adventure and change of scenery.
LAVENDER EXPERIENCE
True sensory experience, Lavender is inextricably linked to the soul of Provence. Small purple flower colouring the beautiful landscapes, invading the nearby air thanks to the fragrances of this unique scent, it is also a sign that summer is coming.
Between mid-June and early August, our guide accompanies you during a whole day to discover this wonderful show. From an exceptional spot, a stopover in the lavender fields, the visit of a local distillery and the discovery of lavender-based products… All of you senses will be awaken. A moment filled with softness and poetry.
HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT
You’re off to an early start in the nearby Hautes Alpes region for a hot air balloon flight: splendid landscapes to discover! Reservations at least 7 days in advance, subject to availability, weather conditions and acceptance of the flight by the pilot.
A last-minute cancellation can be necessary because of the weather. An alternative activity is proposed in case of a cancellation of the flight (no extra charge). Flight occur quite early in the morning and last 3 to 4 hours Minimum height: 1,20m
THE 2CV WITH “LES BELLES LURETTES”
Take advantage of your stay in our Bonne Etape to travel our Provencal roads behind the wheel of the charming 2CV car “Jade”. Spruce, adventurer and authentic, discover with her nearby landscapes under provencal sun. Fold down the windows, put the convertible hood down and admire the beauty of the Irresistible Alpes de Haute Provence.
