Villa Baulieu

Opened in 2013, this sumptuous eleven-suite hotel occupies a private 17th-century Provençal villa, situated in the vast park of a vineyard estate.

• The two stone grottoes lined with fossilized seashells in the vast garden park
• The award winning white "Cuvée Bérengère", grown on the neighboring Beaulieu vineyard
• The exquisitely renovated gypseries: elaborated molded and sculpted white plaster chimneypieces, typical of 16th and early-17th century Provence

Set back behind a lush vineyard, just northwest of Aix-en-Provence, Villa Baulieu is a majestic, 17th-century property that could easily be mistaken for a private retreat (it once belonged to the Counts of Provence). This is not far from the truth, since the current owners, the Guénant family, envisioned the Italianate Provencal villa as a home to entertain friends and guests. After a seven-year restoration, the 745-acre vineyard estate, is now a jewel box of a place, filled with the family's private collection of museum-quality antiques and art from all over the world.

The eleven rooms are spread across three floors, connected by a monumental staircase, and in a refurbished annex that was once a stable. Each is spacious and unique. The styles include English, Venetian, and Portuguese-style decor, with Louis XIV-style canopy beds, Murano glass chandeliers and huge marble bathrooms, with antique tubs and a sweeping view of the park.

Bérengère Guénant, a passionate art-lover and car enthusiast, is both the gracious maîtresse de maison and oversees the adjacent winery. Copious breakfasts are served in the glass and wrought-iron Orangerie or in the pretty stone courtyard. The two multi-talented "butlers", Christophe and David (former grand sommelier and maître fromager at La Mirande, Avignon) will prepare delicious Provencal dinners at their table d'hôte on request, as well as host wine-tasting sessions and oenology classes. There's a lovely stone pool in the garden, a rooftop Jacuzzi for cool evening, and if you tire of lazing about, bikes are available for a spin through the vines and truffle oak-lined paths.

Couples. Wine, art and antiques lovers who are looking for a luxurious hideaway that feels like a private home. Travelers who want to be based near the shopping and cultural scene of Aix-en-Provence, just a 20-minute drive away.