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Hotel La Crémaillère***, Greoux-les-Bains,
Haute-Provence, France
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A modern, reasonable hotel with a touch of country.
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Peter and Linda D'Aprix 2004/8
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Hotel La Crémaillère is one of those very nice, clean and pleasant three star hotels that don't pretend to be luxurious but offer high quality and comfortable lodging in a light and upbeat style that can't be beat for value for money. Unfortunately, one of the prime reasons to stay at this hotel, the cuisine of chef Eric Canino, is lost to us this year in 2008, since his departure. However, while he is searching for where he wants to exercise his prodigious talents full time he is cooking at the companion, 2 star, hotel just across the road at Le Verdon; not a place you want to stay but when he is cooking it is very worth the visit..
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The sheltered terrace outside the salon and bar with the restaurant in the background.
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The terrace outside the bar.
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Peter D'Aprix © 2000-04-08
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This hotel is one of those places that you can come and either just kick back and relax, sleep or read books or use it as a center for exploring this lovely region of Haute-Provence. Another change is that the residential menu served by the restaurant which provides different choices every day and every meal "cure" and not available to non-guests.
There is a lot to do in the region especially if you are the out doors type. From trail hiking, canoeing, hang gliding, eating, visiting ancient hill top towns, sun bathing, rock climbing, tennis and much more. Not to mention, of course, the various spa regimes available at the spa. For foodies there are many restaurants, wineries, olive oil producers and very a lot of shopping. The French Grand Canyon is less than an hour's drive at Moustier-Ste-Marie just down the road.
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Light and airy salon with fireplace.
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The spa at Greoux les Bains
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Gréoux-les-Bains, itself is a lovely old hill top town (just close your eyes to the new apartment blocks that ring the town) is a lovely maze of cris crossing lanes and alleys separating the ancient village houses that cascade down the hill from the Crusaders' castle that guards the heights. It is home to many small, insignificant restaurants, cafés, and hotels. The shops are slowly upgrading as the area is being discovered. There is a marvelous Italian Gellato store front right next to the really special tea and coffee shop which is right next to the high end bathroom and bathroom supply (everything from soaps and shaving creams to shaving kits, towel collections, thick bathrobes etc.) on the corner. Just visit the very special village church in the center of the village and you will find all the rest including Durandue one of the Patisseures in the South. On the main road through town near the five points round about which sport a fountain and planting, there is La Tonnelle with wonder full potter, scents and soaps, wines and gifts. Further up the hill on the left is a wine shop with wines from the region.
This is one of those places that is not pretentious. It is real. You will not rave over it to your friends. You will keep it for yourself. It caters to regular people. It is not aiming at another star or any star for that matter. They are happy to provide cheerful, friendly service and serve good, modern food in a pleasant environment both physical and personal at an affordable price. A rarity these days.
For more information of the Spa facilities in Gréoux-les-Bains click here.
La Crémaillère
Route de Riez
04800 Gréoux-les-Bains
tel: (33) (0)820.825.268
fax: (33) (0)4.92.78.19.80
E-mail: cremaillere@chateauxhotels.com
Web: www.chateauxhotelsfrance.com/cremaillere
Member of:
Chaine Thermale du Soleil
&
Chateaux & Hotels de France.
(You can make reservations of this web site).
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