My wife and I just returned from a stay in Paris, Provence and the Riviera. Our days at Le Prieure were extremely enjoyable and relaxing. As indicated by the most recent review, this Relais & Chateaux property has been fully renovated. The renovations add high-end modern features to a building that retains its historic and charming facade. The bedrooms and bathrooms in particular are now of a level befitting the best hotels and among the most spacious I have seen in France. The staff was attentive, friendly and helpful and the grounds, including the expansive garden, were immaculate. Two highlights deserve specific mention. First, the women at the front desk called all around the local area and found me a dentist on very short notice during a bank holiday weekend and directed me perfectly to his office -- this was simply five star service (ask for Marie, Maud or Sylvie if you call). Second, their assistance allowed us to have two wonderful meals at the restaurant on property. I understand that the restaurant has been known for its innovative provencal cuisine over the years, and that tradition certainly continues. The knowledge and appreciation of the dishes exhibited by the dining room staff were impressive and the flavors orchestrated by the chef made for the best meals my wife and I can recall in several years. Please be sure to try the lamb if it is on the menu -- so good it is difficult to put in words (although our waiter did such a fantastic job of describing what makes the lamb of the region so superb - I wish I'd recorded it). Overall, I could not be more pleased with my experience at Le Prieure. In fact, it and the little village of Villeneuve-les-Avignon were so lovely, we almost forgot that one of the great towns of Provence, Avignon, was right nearby to be explored. I believe it is also important to note that this is the first written review I have felt compelled to submit on a hotel -- I do not give such praise often.

I have stayed at Le Prieure many times and was amazed to read such a bad review. True, the bathroom fittings were a bit dated and the furniture was old style, but it's redeemed by the nice pool, friendly staff, outdoor restaurant (lovely in the evenings, but pricey) and characterful architecture in the main building. However, the hotel rooms have apparently been completely renovated this winter, with new bathrooms, flat screen tvs, minibars and wifi in every room. Of course, they've hiked the prices up too....

When you do all of your research and book at a Relais & Chateaux facility you are unlikely to go too far wrong, well that is until you book at Le Prieure.

I don't even know where to begin. I should have known as I read the reviews here on Trip Advisor and saw photos of the rooms. But nooooo, I thought that a Relais & Chateaux hotel couldn't be that bad. I WAS WRONG!!!!!

My husband and I decided to spend a week in the South of France post cruise this past September. We have often stayed at Relais & Chateaux hotels and have always found them to be better than average, or even terrific. I can only say that if they had Super 8 motels in 1950, and they didn't change anything in the room [furniture, drapery, towels, rugs, etc.] you would be at Le Prieure!

We ended up checking out after one awful night and went to Villa Gallici in Aix en Provence. Overpriced, but we were willing to pay anything just to get out of there.

This place does not have a single receeming quality.

This was one of my least favorite hotels in all my travels through France save this one 2.5 star in Paris back during my college days (thank god for sleep sacks).

Yes, the grounds are very pretty, though the pool seemed strangely out of place to me. The staff all seemed pleasant, though the manager seemed studied and cold.

We also had a room with a balcony facing the pool -oh, where to begin? The drapes are faded and drab; the bedding and pillows were sad and limp and made one yearn for one's junior year abroad sleep sack. The shine is completely off the bath fixtures and such old tiles can be difficult to really keep clean. The room just had a tired, old, dejected air about it.

We peeked into the nearly empty Mich 3-Star restaurant that evening. The dining room seemed overly-lit (a stark contrast to your room) and somewhat uninviting and stiff but perhaps it was still too early.

I have to raise an eyebrow at the suggestion that this is a more charming alternative to say a "Westin" or "4Seasons" ?? Non. This place, as far as your room and lobby are concerned, is a Howard Johnson ca. 1959. It's about as anonymous as you can get. It makes your average Sheraton seem like the wittiest, most charming gal in town.

If you want a taste of provencal charm without sacrifricing style and comfort-try L'Auberge du Presbytere or Le Cadran Solaire. They are designed thoughtfully and well, with warmth and individuality. You will be comfortable there: fresh cotton provencal bedding, beautiful baths, beautiful views all around and unstuffy, genuine owners and staff. Very reasonably-priced, too. And if you are the Four Seasons type (nothing wrong with that)-just hit the back button and pretend you never heard of this place.

You know, the restored castles and historic hotels of Spain's Parador program is what I was expecting here. If you know it, you'll know what I mean. Comfortable but still authentic and unbelievably affordable. Le Prieure could take a page from that book. Instead, they've taken a beautiful historic structure and stuffed a cheesy, hideous motel interior into it . And slapped an undeserved 4-STAR price tag on it to boot. Skip this one.