Hotel of the week: Oustau de Baumanière

Oustau de Baumanière seemed like a "crazy idea" when it opened in 1946, says Reggie Nadelson in Condé Nast Traveller. Tourists in the south of France didn't stray far from the Côte d'Azur in those days – so why launch a fine restaurant in the wild heart of Provence?

Since then, of course, it has come into its own, and 30 guest rooms have gradually been added. The place is like a "dream", its ravishing terraces and gardens "stretching for half a mile under awesome cliffs"; the rooms and suites are "deeply comfortable"; and the "formal" restaurant has two well-deserved Michelin stars.

Doubles from €200. Contact: 0033 4 90 54 33 07; www.oustaudebaumaniere.com.