La Bastide en Gascogne

Don’t let its straightforwardly descriptive name fool you — La Bastide en Gascogne is something special. This luxurious and utterly charming hotel was once a monastery, and stands right beside the Thermes de Barbotan, the village’s hot-spring complex, and its own spa makes use of the springs as well. The 25 rooms and suites are stylish in a traditional sort of way, and thoroughly relaxing as well. And La Bastide en Gascogne’s cooking has long been central to the hotel’s appeal — it’s owned by the family of the highly celebrated chef Michel Guérard, who is responsible for the dining room’s menu of seasonal French classics.