NUMBER OF ROOMS: 25 rooms and 1 apartment
CLOSED ANNUALLY: From mid-November through the end of February

THE STORY: “A hotel that has a soul,” said Jean Cocteau, who visited happily. Where one used to come across Picasso, Piaf, and boozy bullfighters…Transformed into a 4-star hotel and restored with just the right amount of irreverence (nineties photos by Helmut Newton hung in the big stairway), the mythic Arles hotel has kept all of its panache. The rooms are classy—special mention for those on the third floor with a view of the city rooftops. And the bar, which stays open for guests until late, hasn’t changed since the days when Fernandel used to come for his pastaga. Rooms from €99 to €480.

TOILETRIES: Végétalement Provence shower gel, shampoo, conditioner.
INTERNET: Wifi (free).
BREAKFAST: €20, continental with hot drinks, orange juice, fruits, yogurts, viennoiseries, butter, jam or €24 American, with, additionally, eggs, ham, cheeses and cereal.
MINI-BAR: Mineral water available in the rooms.
LITTLE LUXURY: The collection of photos of the regulars from the grand époque, in the hallway that leads to the elevator.