Hotel Review: Domaine de Manville, Small Luxury Hotels of The World
My fiancé and I had to drive from Aix-en-Provence to Cannes a few nights into our Southern France trip. The drive wasn’t long, but we wanted to unwind and relax before we headed to the French Rivera. While looking for an all-encompassing and secluded hotel, I came across Domaine de Manville in Les Baux-de-Provence. The hotel was a part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, and you could book with Hyatt points. If you have the American Express (AMEX) Platinum card, you could also book through its Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR) portal. I used the AMEX FHR portal and received lucrative benefits such as a daily breakfast for two people, a $100 hotel credit such as a spa or food and beverage credit, and many more. The hotel’s onsite restaurant, L'Aupiho, held one Michelin star—perfect for us since we genuinely appreciate new gastronomic adventures. The property has an 18-hole golf course and offers plenty of activities such as cooking classes, hiking the Alpilles, and visiting its agroforestry farm. Our stay experience at Domaine de Manville was absolutely fantastic, and it was the perfect hotel for us to rejuvenate and recharge in a private setting surrounded by nature. Here’s my review of Domaine de Manville, Small Luxury Hotels of The World:
Domaine de Manville is located at 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence, France.
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
The AMEX Platinum card is one of the best premium travel cards available on the market. The AMEX Platinum card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 100,000 Membership Rewards (MR) points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of account opening. I personally value MR points at 2 cents per point, making the sign-up bonus worth about $2,000. The card earns 5X MR points on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights purchased directly from airlines or on the AMEX travel portal. It also earns 5X MR points on hotels booked and prepaid on the AMEX travel portal, and all other purchases earn 1X MR points.
The AMEX Platinum card is one of the best premium travel credit card on the market.
If you thought the multipliers of the card were mediocre, prepare yourself because the card's annual fee is $695. It is one of the most expensive cards to open, but thankfully, AMEX included valuable benefits to effectively offset the annual fee. Here are the following benefits included in the card membership:
$200 Fine Hotels & Resorts Credit & Benefits
$200 Uber Credit
$200 Airline Credit
Centurion Lounge Access & Priority Pass Membership
Delta Sky Club Access When Flying Delta
Hilton Honors Gold Status & Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
Reimbursed Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Fees
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit
$300 Equinox Credit
$179 CLEAR Credit
$100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit
If you are able to maximize the benefits, you will get much more value in return than its annual fee. Moreover, because the card provides perks for flights, hotels, and daily expenses like digital subscriptions, Uber rides, and Uber Eats, your AMEX Platinum can be your one-stop shop for luxury travel needs!
If you’d like to apply for the American Express Platinum Card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Location
Domaine de Manville is located in Les Baux-de-Provence—a quick 15-minute drive from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence or 30 minutes away from Arles. Because it is nestled in the valley beneath Les Baux, you would need a car to reach the hotel. The roads can get pretty windy, so drive slow and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the provencal landscape and local vineyards along the way.
Lobby & Check-In Review
The check-in experience was one of the best services I received from luxury hotels. We parked our car at the outdoor parking lot, which was about 50 yards from the main entrance door.
I adored little bulldog statues by the entrance.
As we were pulling our luggage, a bellman came rushing towards us and handled our luggage and bags. The walkway to the lobby was decorated with beautiful sculptures, and we later explored the property on foot to discover more artwork and nature.
The golf shop was quite extensive, and the hotel had a nice walking path surrounding the building.
The bellman promptly escorted us to the reception desk and offered us bottled water while we waited for a front desk agent. The lobby felt upscale and personal as if we were in a mansion's living room.
The lobby was cozy and intimate, and I felt like I was in a luxury living room.
The scent in the lobby was pleasant and reminded me of the EDITION brand’s Le Labo scent. The lobby served as a souvenir/clothing shop; you could purchase golf attires or candles.
The shop sold clothes, jewelry, and candles.
Only one check-in desk was dedicated to one party at a time, making the check-in experience private.
The check-in desk only allowed one party at a time, and we felt the interaction was engaging and personal.
The receptionist congratulated my fiancé’s birthday and went over what I could expect and do at Domaine de Manville in detail. She recognized that my stay was booked using the AMEX FHR portal as well as my Discoverist status with Hyatt and informed us that we would be receiving a complimentary upgrade. I thought we would get a minor upgrade since suite upgrades don’t come by with Discoverist status, but we were upgraded to the Deluxe Suite, which was the best room after the Presidential Suite.
The ground floor was full of art, and large windows made me feel connected to nature at all times.
Then, she walked us over from the front desk to our suite and explained hotel activities and amenities on the way. When we arrived in the room, she explained the details of the room as we got settled.
Our suite was located on the second floor of the hotel.
Some may feel the check-in experience to be overwhelming, but I loved the level of detail and attention the receptionist provided.
Bedroom Review
When I opened the door to the suite, I immediately noticed how high the ceiling was. It was at least 20 feet tall, and the ceiling featured exposed beams, creating the popular farmhouse look. The floor was a sturdy wooden floor; I generally prefer rooms without carpeting, so it was a big plus for me. The bedroom was connected to a balcony, and large window panels allowed a healthy amount of natural light to come in. A king bed with a leather-wrapped headboard was centrally located.
With high ceilings, the bedroom felt more spacious and airy.
Each side of the bed came with a nightstand, and it had only one 30V outlet and no USB ports for charging additional electronic devices. While the king mattress was fairly firm, the sheets were soft, and I slept well. Across from the bed, a beautiful wooden media console was equipped with a traditional flat-screen TV and a Bose speaker.
The media console doubled as a work desk; while I loved the look of it, it evidently lacked functionality.
The TV could’ve been bigger, and it would’ve been nice to see a wall-mounted smart TV so that the room could highlight the design of the media console. A mini-fridge was discreetly hidden under the TV, and I was surprised to hear that everything in the mini-bar was complimentary.
Everything in the mini-fridge was complimentary—including a demi bottle of champagne!
The mini-fridge contained soda, fresh orange juice, water, chocolate, and a demi bottle of champagne. In the corner of the room, a petite chandelier was hanging from the ceiling, and there was a table set with a mirrored top—a perfect spot to enjoy coffee in the morning or wine at night.
The mini chandelier in the corner signified that we are in one of the hotel’s suites.
In fact, the general manager of Domaine de Manville had already set up another round of complimentary treats for us to enjoy; the hotel showered us with delicious macarons, artisanal chocolate, champagne, and a bouquet of lilies.
What an amazing platter of welcoming gifts from the hotel!
Most importantly, the general manager left us a handwritten note celebrating my fiancé’s birthday and welcoming us to the property. We were sincerely grateful for the level of hospitality we continued to receive after checking in. The bedroom had a set of comfortable lounge chairs and a small side table so we indulged ourselves in delicious treats there.
We used these lounge chairs when we needed a quick coffee break.
The bedroom subtly expressed refined opulence; from tall ceilings and exposed beams to a petite chandelier and rich walnut wood flooring, the bedroom focused on the foundation which will last and age well in the future.
Living Space & Balcony Review
The suite was L-shaped, and there was a small living space at the deeper end of the room. Similar to the bedroom, big windows allowed a decent amount of natural light to brighten the space. This was the only part of the suite with a carpet and an eye-catching red leather couch surrounded by artworks on the wall.
The red couch added a bright layer of color to the living space, but the space felt a bit bare to me.
I was happy to find a Nespresso machine, but we had to take our espressos to the bedroom because there was no table and chairs in the living space. In my opinion, if the hotel could curate the living space with a table and proper seating arrangements, the room could potentially become a mini lounge where guests could escape from the bedroom to enjoy refreshments.
A full length mirror was hidden in the corner.
The balcony was accessible from the bedroom, but it fully extended from the bedroom to the master bathroom. The balcony had an outdoor coffee table and chairs, and while we shared the balcony floor with our neighboring guests, the pathway was completely blocked to ensure privacy.
The balcony would be a great spot to relax on warmer days.
[You could use outdoor lounge chairs on the balcony if you need fresh air] The balcony was completely covered, and depending on the mood, you could either close or open foldable balcony shutters. We kept them open to let natural light into the suite. The view from our room was gorgeous as it overlooked the courtyard and swimming pool.
The courtyard was mostly empty due to the weather, but I still enjoyed the view.
Because we visited the hotel in late March, the weather was slightly chilly outside. Nonetheless, I could imagine the view from the room being more energetic and lively as people would dine and lounge outside on warmer days.
The swimming pool didn’t stand out and blended well with the buildings and nature.
Bathroom Review
The suite had two bathrooms, and a half bath was closer to the entrance. The half bath was a glossy white marble floor, and the toilet featured a handheld bidet. There were two major complaints I had with the half bath. The first problem was minor; only one recessed light from the ceiling illuminated the toilet. Even though the bathroom was small, the single lightbulb didn’t provide enough brightness for the room. The second problem was significant—there was no sink to wash your hands after using the bathroom. Thus, I had to walk all the way to the master bathroom to wash my hands. During my stay, I naturally stopped using the half bath since it was inconvenient to stay hygienic.
The half bath served its purpose, but I really wish it had a small sink to wash hands afterwards.
The master bathroom had the same beautiful white marble floor as the half bath and featured a double sink vanity with a black marble top. The vanity mirror was on the smaller side, and similar to the half bath, I wish there were additional lighting for the bathroom, especially for the vanity.
The eye-catching patterns of the vanity created a bold atmosphere in the master bath.
I appreciated the classic aesthetics of the vanity, but it lacked countertop space to lay out personal toiletries. Speaking of toiletries, the hotel provided its own line of organic products, and they presented sumptuous floral scents.
The toiletries had pleasant floral notes and were not harsh on my skin.
Next to the vanity, a freestanding tub and bath robes were ready for relaxation.
The standalone tub was a nice way to relax and finish the night.
The freestanding tub was big enough to fit two adults, and the bathrobe was another example of the fabulous hospitality by Domaine de Manville. Prior to my arrival, the hotel reached out to me to confirm our bathrobe sizes, which was something that I’d never experienced at any other property. It genuinely highlighted the level of detail the hotel pursued.
The two bathrobes were slightly different in size—perfectly catered to our body sizes.
The walk-in shower came with a rainfall shower head as well as a handheld version. The water pressure was amazing, and I felt refreshed every time I took a shower.
The water pressure was fabulous and made every shower revitalizing.
There were two very cool components in the master bathroom. First, the walk-in shower had a retractable clothesline that you could use to hang clothes. Though we didn’t swim, this would be handy if you needed to dry your swimsuit.
The retractable clothesline would come in handy if you need to dry your swimming suits.
Second, the towel rack was heated, meaning your towels would dry faster, and you could wrap your body with a warm bath towel after a shower or bath.
The heated towel rack was a game changer for us.
I’ve never encountered these amenities at other luxury hotels, and though I wasn’t entirely happy with the bathrooms, the master bathroom’s practical elements made up the letdown.
The Bar Review
After unpacking our clothes, we went to the Bar, which was centrally located by the courtyard.
The Bar was centrally located for hotel guests.
The Bar functioned as a meeting place for coffee, drinks, and small bites. Some outdoor lounge chairs came with soft blankets and portable heaters to provide guests with an extra layer of warmth.
The rustic outdoor chairs came with warm blankets and portable heaters.
The inside was wonderfully curated; there was elegant accent furniture that suited the hotel’s luxurious brand identity.
The exposed brick wall was consistent with the lobby walls.
Exposed brick walls and authentic zinc tables were drenched with natural sunlight, thanks to glass walls and ceiling.
The zinc tables and leather lounge chairs introduced masculine notes to the space.
We ordered americanos and grabbed a table at the back, where it felt more intimate and mature.
Judging from the mic, I believe the Bar regularly hosts music events.
While waiting for the coffee to come out, I found a library attached to the bar. The library offered a vast selection of movies, books, and board games, which families could borrow during their stay. The waitress served us homemade cookies along with the coffee.
Our coffee was smooth, but the homemade cookies were to die for.
Both were delicious, and the flavors were well-balanced. I didn’t get a chance to taste cocktails at the bar, but the liquors on the bar shelves and the menu looked promising. Given that we’d been experiencing the utmost level of hospitality from the hotel, I would strongly believe cocktails from the bar would live up to expectations.
Dining Review—L’Aupiho
A few weeks before coming to France, I made a dinner reservation at L'Aupiho—little Alpes in Provençal. L’Aupiho has one Michelin star and serves modern cuisine with the finest local ingredients. The restaurant was absolutely gorgeous; from the setup of our table to the beautiful accent lighting and furniture, it was apparent that we were at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
At Domaine de Manville, Michelin-starred restaurant is just a few steps away from your room.
We chose a three-course menu for €87 because we knew if we were to count canapés, amuse-bouches, and petit four as dishes, we would get seven to eight dishes in total. Because of the AMEX FHR food and beverage benefit, we received $100 towards the bill, practically cutting the bill in half. Canapés and amuse-bouches were presented beautifully and offered various contrasting textures to stimulate our taste buds and curiosity.
In French fine-dining, a three-course dinner actually means a five-course dinner.
The bread basket was full of bread baked to perfection, and my favorite was the one with buckwheat.
The buckwheat rolls had nutty and bitter notes that accentuated the olive oil.
For our appetizers, I ordered rainbow mantis shrimp with beet and Osciètre caviar, and my fiancé chose sliced scallops and mackerel, accompanied by a side dish with scallop juice cream, toast, and Galician sea urchins.
L’Aupiho took shrimp rolls to another level.
My shrimp dish with Osciètre caviar was simply divine; the crunch on the exterior was satisfying, and the sweetness from the shrimp perfectly complemented the salty umami notes from the caviar. For the main dishes, she ordered seared red tuna with Tahitian spinach and black garlic, served with two varieties of bluefish and à la Florentine broth of grilled fishbone.
The fishbone broth had a great depth of umami.
I selected a squab dish with sea beet, black pudding, and lobster roasted with head butter.
A squab is a baby pigeon—usually under four weeks old.
The pigeon was succulent, and the head butter really elevated the butteriness to another level. For the dessert, I went with pear in jelly/geranium and gin with pure farm milk ice cream, and my fiancé chose clementine from Jamaica and chocolate sorbet with green cardamom.
The farm milk ice cream was creamy and complemented the pear jelly very well.
The pear's sweet and tart flavors harmonized with the gin's citrusy, bitter, and juniper profiles. The petit four was superb and surprised us with new ingredients and flavors that we didn’t expect.
We wrapped our dinner with petit four and an espresso.
The restaurant attentively took care of our table from start to finish, and we enjoyed every second at the restaurant. As expected, the wine list was quite extensive, but ask for pairing recommendations from onsite sommeliers, and they will guide you in the right direction. If you could secure a dinner reservation at L’Aupiho, I strongly recommend indulging yourself in a phenomenal culinary adventure. You won’t regret it.
Breakfast Review
Breakfast was served from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM in a stunning sunroom with chandeliers hanging from the top. With clear glasses all around the space, we could enjoy the courtyard view and greeneries surrounding the breakfast room while dining.
The breakfast sunroom was absolutely gorgeous.
Breakfast would normally cost €28 per person, but it was complimentary for us, thanks to the AMEX FHR benefits.
Why not add some Oscietre caviar to your breakfast?
We only ordered Americano The breakfast buffet had creamy scrambled eggs and thick bacon for traditional American travelers, and I also used a DIY boiler to make soft-boiled eggs.
My breakfast plate was full of quality cuts of meat and creamy scrambled eggs.
Refrigerated sections contained various types of yogurt, cheese, and meat, including smoke salmon.
Various types of meat and cheese were stored in a fridge, keeping them cool and fresh.
You could also make a bowl of muesli with numerous selections of nuts, fresh fruit, and dried fruit.
The muesli station had some snacks you could take them to go.
The bread station featured gluten-free options if you were gluten-sensitive, and we absolutely loved all the bread from breakfast.
The hotel had gluten-free options if you are sensitive to gluten.
Nevertheless, clear winners were buttery croissants and pains au chocolat. They were baked to perfection, and we often reminisce about how good they were.
I probably had one too many croissants on this trip, but how could I resist them?
If you would like to start your morning in a gorgeous room with fresh food, enjoy breakfast at Domaine de Manville. It was certainly worth more than €28, and I highly recommend it.
If you stay at Domaine de Manville, definitely check out their breakfast.
Activities—Golf, Pool, Spa, & Many More
Domaine de Manville had an onsite 18-hole golf course. Though we didn’t play golf there, we walked around the hotel, and the golf courses were in great condition with a stunning backdrop of the Alpilles. The golf course is open all year long, and you could take lessons and improve your play as well.
Play golf at Domaine de Manville with an impressive backdrop of the Alpilles.
If you would like a rejuvenating experience, stop by the spa, which was a collective space for an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness room. The reservation was mandatory, and you could reserve 45 minutes of spa access upon reservation. In addition, it was open every day but had different hours for adults and children (anyone under 16 years old), so make sure to check the hours before visiting the spa. On hot summer days, guests could take advantage of an outdoor pool in the courtyard.
I loved how the pool naturally blended in with the overall atmosphere of the hotel.
These amenities would keep you busy, but Domaine de Manville offered many more activities to make the stay as dynamic or relaxing as each guest would desire. For instance, you could rent electric bicycles to bike around the picturesque landscape around the hotel, take a cooking class after visiting an agroforestry farm, or watch a movie or a sports match with friends in a private screening room.
The sculptor, Philippe Chazot, is known to highlight the curves of human bodies.
The choices were endless, and if you want to explore the surrounding area, visit the concierge desk in the lobby. For instance, we stopped by the concierge desk and asked for suggestions regarding a local place to learn more about olive oil and wine. Our concierge, Julie, put together an informative list of local wineries, their specialties, and available appointment times for each site. We chose Domaine Métifiot in Saint Rémy de Provence, which was absolutely fantastic. Domaine de Manville would please anyone visiting its location and neighboring areas with a long list of indoor and outdoor offerings.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
Dining at L'Aupiho was absolutely fabulous. Since it is a Michelin-starred restaurant, the bill will be higher than normal restaurants. However, if you enjoy fine dining, L’Aupiho is an excellent choice, and I highly recommend it.
All the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. The front desk representative personally walked us over to our suite, and the concierge meticulously prepped us with a list of local vineyards to our liking.
Negatives
The major downside was that the Internet connection on the estate was unstable. I fully expected to spend a few hours working at the hotel, but I couldn’t get much done and grudgingly gave up on it. It ultimately gave me an opportunity to fully disconnect and enjoy my time with my fiancé, so expect to detach yourself from social media and emails during your stay.
Domaine de Manville recharged us both physically and mentally, and we cannot wait to be back later.
Summary
Domaine de Manville was one of my favorite hotels to date. From the moment I arrived at the hotel, attentive hotel staff welcomed me and ensured that my stay at Domaine de Manville remained flawless until the end. My suite had a refined farmhouse look, and the hotel surprised my fiancé and me with generous gifts, including a bouquet of flowers, macarons, and champagne. Though the half bath could be improved, the master bathroom had a gorgeous white marble floor and featured a heated towel rack and a standalone tub. Michelin-starred dinner at L’Aupiho was spectacular; every dish was delicious and was artfully executed with fresh local ingredients. The hotel also served high-quality food and beverages for breakfast and at the sunroom, and the Bar was wonderfully curated. Domaine de Manville not only offered a private movies screening room and indoor and outdoor pools as amenities but also extended opportunities to enjoy various outdoor activities, including riding electric bicycles or visiting a sustainable farm. I loved every moment I spent at Domaine de Manville. If you were to visit Les Baux-de-Provence, book a few nights at Domaine de Manville. I guarantee you will fall in love with the hotel.
If you’d like to apply for the American Express Platinum Card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
