Grand Hotel Nord-Pinus, Arles

The mysteriously named Nord Pinus in Arles is somewhere very special. Independently run the hotel is housed in an old Arlesianne mansion in the prettiest square in Arles, the Place du Forum, just across from the Cafe de Nuit of Van Gogh fame.

The interior of the hotel is well furnished with a selection of hand-picked antiques and bric-a-brac, Moroccan lamps, rugs and old leather armchairs. The rooms are generous in proportion, with high ceilings on the first and 2nd floors and terraces and fabulous rooftop views from the third. Windows are tall and shuttered and all have prettily tiled, ensuite bathrooms.

Each of the 24 rooms has been individually and thoughtfully decorated-some with a small library of books, with walls painted in sophisticated tones: duck egg blue and olive green. Beds are made of iron and some rooms have gilt florentine mirrors and decorative fireplaces, while others have patterned tiled floors. The third floor rooms are mostly parquet.

Downstairs the reception hall and small bar hosts a photography exhibition which changes every three years, along with the style of decor.