Villa la Coste
Provence, France
The lowdown A contemporary cultural haven in the grounds of Château La Coste. Best for World-class art displays and sublime French gastronomy.
Think of the perfect modern art museum. It would probably contain an Alexander Calder sculpture, one of Louise Bourgeois’s spiders, something by Brit art queen Tracey Emin. No doubt a luminary such as Tadao Ando would have been brought in to design a wing. And, finally, there’d be an encompassing sense of tranquillity, an ambience that would allow visitors to relax completely and embrace their surroundings. Well, all those components come together at Villa La Coste: a new hotel built around the art collection of vineyard Château La Coste. Situated in the cypress tree-filled grounds, the villa is a dream of Zen simplicity where the art does the talking. Guests are spoilt not only by the roster of international names on display – at what other hotel would you find an Emin hanging over the bed? – but also by the bounty of Gallic indulgences on hand. There are spa treatments using locally harvested lavender, free tastings of La Coste’s wines and cuisine by Michelinstarred Gérald Passédat, one of Provence’s most decorated chefs. Don’t leave without taking the estate’s art and architecture walk, almost certainly the most enchanting gallery tour you’ll ever experience. Book it Double rooms from £580 (villalacoste.com).