HOTEL OF THE WEEK L’HOSTELLERIE

L’HOSTELLERIE DE l’Abbaye de la Celle is a masterclass in understatement. A sleepy Provencal inn under an hour from glittering St Tropez and minutes off the main autoroute across the Cote D’Azur.

In spirit, L’Hostellerie could not be further from the glamour of the seaside resorts. No stuffy pomp and ceremony — staff are helpful and friendly. When we mistakenly swung our hired Fiat 500 into the crunchy gravel driveway in front of the conservatory bar area, the beaming receptionist ushered us to comfortable leather arm-

chairs and had a cocktail in our hands, and the car properly parked before we could say “Bonjour”.

With Alain Ducasse as patron, a trip to L’Hostellerie will always be about the food. Ducasse is foodie royalty. The first chef to hold restaurants with three Michelin stars in three cities, Ducasse is one of only two chefs ever to hold a grand total of 21 stars.

This one-star Michelin venue focuses on simplicity and relaxation. The bonus is that after a gourmet guzzling session, instead of negotiating taxis or transport, guests can retire upstairs to one of five airy rooms in the converted convent building or five garden rooms situated outside in the grounds.

All are decorated in neutral tones with huge beds, oversized bathrooms and views of well-manicured gardens where the restaurant grows its own