Looking for a nice hotel not too far from Avignon, we were attracted by the good reviews of Le Prieure and decided to book for two nights.
Upon our arrival, just before entering the car park, we were taken aback by the constructionsite. When making the booking, we were not informed about the construction, going on nearly on-site. Fortunately, our stay was during the -holiday-weekend and we were not bothered too much (although there was work going on on Saturday.)
Our room was a nice large corner-suite with balcony in the Atrium, overlooking the pool, with a bedroom, two sittingrooms, two bathrooms, a separate lavatory and a walk-in closet. Decoration is best described as "minimalistic", don't know wether to think of it as rustic or modern.... Bathrooms very nice and modern, double sinks, one bathroom with shower, one with bath. And fortunately: Airco in both bedroom and sittingroom. But somehow, we had mixed feelings about the room: It lacked Provencal warmth and colours and thus cosiness.
The bathroom with shower had no curtain on the window and the constructionworkers, who were working across on the first floor of the opposite building, could look straight through our window into the shower!
All hotels (Relais & Chateaux; Leading Hotels) we stayed in during our trip in France, had a small welcome gift in the room (either fruit, wine, champagne, sweets, even flowers), with a welcome-card from the management, however: Nothing of the sort in our room at Le Prieure. Of course, such is at the discretion of the management, but somehow, it felt like a missed opportunity.
The pool didn't look very attractive from the room: Water was greenish and full of leaves.
The reception-area is ok, not too big , but again: It lacks the warmth and cosiness.
The grounds of Le Prieure are nice and a wine-bar with lovely patio for the pre-or after- dinner drinks has recently been opened.
We had dinner on the patio of the restaurant, the first night. Nice ambiance, the food was ok; nothing wrong with it, but just average for rather a stiff price. The same goes for the waiting-staff: OK, nothing wrong, but....?
The second night we had dinner on the patio at Hotel La Mirande in Avignon, overlooking the Palais des Papes: Wonderful ambiance, great food and all in all cheaper than the previous night.
Breakfast in the morning in the restaurant: Plenty of choices from the buffet, but like many reviewers stated: Walk around the corner and have breakfast in the village: It doesn't cost you 19 Euros per person!
Reception staff was very friendly and professional and showed us our way about.
Taxi to and from Avignon is 10 euros one way. They bring and take you to and from where-ever you want within the walls of Avignon.
Villeneuve itself is a nice little town, with some must-see sites. Plenty of restaurants and a big lively square just around the corner of the hotel.
Of all the hotels we stayed in during our trip to France, Le Prieure was the least nice. Nothing wrong with it, very good location (too bad about the construction however) , nice room, professional and courteous staff, but it lacked something we cannot put our finger on.
