Les Prés d'Eugénie - One of My Favourite Hotels in France

Some hotels are enjoyable at the time, but others stay with you long after you've left. I first visited Les Prés d'Eugénie a few years ago, and it remains one of my favourite hotels. It's the sort of place I often find myself recommending, and somewhere I would happily return to.

Set in the quiet village of Eugénie-les-Bains in southwest France, this beautiful Relais & Châteaux property has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. It feels more like staying in an elegant country house than a hotel, with flower-filled gardens, charming courtyards and peaceful corners where you can simply sit with a book or enjoy a glass of wine.

The rooms are gorgeous! Each one is completely different, filled with carefully chosen antiques and beautiful fabrics - completely characterful and luxurious.

Food is naturally a big part of the experience and here it is superb!!! Whether you choose the celebrated Michel Guérard 3 Michelin-starred restaurant or where we ate the gorgeous La Ferme aux Grives, which is honestly one of the most stunning looking farm to table 'bourgeois rustic' restaurants i've ever been to, the emphasis is on beautifully prepared seasonal ingredients and the flavours of southwest France.

The spa is another highlight. Eugénie-les-Bains has long been known for its thermal waters, and the hotel's spa makes the most of them. After a day exploring the surrounding countryside, spending a few hours enjoying the pools and treatments is wonderful!

Les Prés d'Eugénie also works beautifully as part of a longer journey through southwest France. It's an ideal stop on a leisurely road trip, with plenty of opportunities to visit vineyards, discover pretty villages and explore the region at a slower pace. From here, it's easy to continue on to other wonderful Relais & Châteaux properties, creating an itinerary that combines exceptional hotels with some of France's finest food and wine.

I've been fortunate enough to stay in many wonderful hotels over the years, but Les Prés d'Eugénie is one that has genuinely stayed with me. It offers timeless elegance, genuine hospitality and a sense of calm that makes you want to linger just a little longer.