8/10 for Villa Saint-Ange
You have to let yourself be penetrated by the splendor of the Second Empire decor to taste the stay at Villa Saint-Ange. Hidden behind a wall, this refined address would once have housed a convent, then the private mansion of a certain Adelaide Saint-Ange at the very end of the 18th century. Little is left of this time, perhaps some centuries-old olive trees and some stones from the central bastide. When Jean-Brice Garella, its new owner, acquired it, it was abandoned in the middle of a rural wasteland inhabited by wild cats. But from the 18th century, everything was inspired and carefully reconstructed. Restored, augmented with new ocher buildings, the Villa celebrates the bourgeois universe of yesteryear. The overall effect is breathtaking: the charm of the family home is now close to the refinement of a five-star hotel. During your stay, you can taste the French art of living in a gentle journey back in time.
9/10 The situation
From inside the wooded park, whose entrance is guarded by two imposing lions, you can savor the absolute calm of the Provencal gardens and forget that the heart of the city rustles a few hundred meters away. And yet, Cours Mirabeau is less than ten minutes' walk away. Just a stone's throw from the cobblestone streets, where driving and parking turns quickly into a headache, we appreciate doubly entrusting our vehicle to the valet service.
8/10 The decor
The owner Jean-Brice Garella has transformed himself into a project manager alongside the architect Henri Paret to bring out buildings from the past in the style of the time. No less than 37 companies, half of which have Living Heritage certification, took part in the five years of work. Painters, zinc workers, gilders, staffers, upholsterers ... put their unique know-how at the service of this dream of yesteryear. In the largest building, one reaches the upper floor, that of the suite, by a monumental staircase, decorated with a gallery of family portraits. The atmosphere of a private residence continues in the original country house, where a small intimate lounge reveals a magnificent panoramic wallpaper, the Hindustan, from the famous Zuber manufacture. In the bedrooms, custom furniture but also antique furniture bought in auction rooms, and for some reproduced identically by craftsmen. Pendulums, barometers, chandeliers, 18th century engravings and other vintage treasures adorn the walls, which only wait for the patina of the years.
IN IMAGES - Visit to the Villa Saint-Ange
9/10 The rooms
From the classics of 21 m2 to the suite of 72 m2, the 35 rooms are divided into seven categories distributed in three buildings. Each is carpeted with a unique decor spanning walls and screens, evoking distant and exotic lands. The prestige category rooms, including the one we occupy, all have access to a small private terrace. In the bathroom, the shower is in XXL format, while the honeycomb bathrobes and the large bathtub invite you to relax. A few selected objects, a work table and a velvet lounge harmoniously complete the large room. Final detail to perfect the decor: the television screens are hidden in the mirrors!
8/10 Service and equipment
Accompaniment in a welcoming room and welcome tray deliciously punctuated with whipped cream. The arrival is very warm. In terms of relaxation and well-being, a small fitness room, a selection of treatments from Doctor Hauscka to book on request, but no real spa. To cool off, we prefer the large mirror pool, lined with deckchairs and heated for part of the year. In room, room service, safe, mini-bar, laundry and the many on-demand facilities worthy of a five-star.
8/10 At the table and at the bar
We dine in a large glazed living room, under a sumptuous scalloped roof in the Napoleon III style. In this ceremonial decor, the art of the table is celebrated from the service (in white gloves) to porcelain and silverware (signed Christofle). To compose her menu, the young chef Nadège Serret selected local producers and organic market gardeners to whom she pays tribute at the end of her menu. On the plate, bourgeois cuisine, simple and classic. The suggestion of the chef, the marinated lisette, with shellfish and vegetable tartare, is delicious. The desserts are to die for. Behind the long pewter counter, the barmaid Joën Saint-Requier composes his tangy cocktails. It also offers 220 wine references, many regional wines, some of which are exceptional, as well as rare cognacs and rums. The breakfast, colored with edible flowers, is as tasty as it is generous.
8/10 Value for money
Between € 295 for the classic double room and € 1,600 for the suite, the prices are aimed at the top of the range of Aix luxury hotels.
Villa Saint-Ange, 7 traverse saint-pierre, 13100 Aix-en-Provence. Phone: +33 4 42 95 10 10.