Scandi Stays: Hotel de Tourrel in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France

Hotel de Tourrel is tucked away on a pedestrian street of the utterly charming town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The entrance, which is hidden down a narrow alley, opens into an echoing yet small lobby; this is your first sign that the hotel is one of contrasts.

With only seven suites, the hotel is compact enough to make your stay feel really unique, while the space itself is big enough that you may not even run into the other guests while you’re there! There’s a small outdoor pool on the second floor and a rooftop terrace that’s perfect for a glass of chilled champagne and plates of tapas as the sun goes down.

On the ground floor, there’s a restaurant and bar serving up exquisite modern Provençal fare, while next door is the wine shop that carries an impressive selection. The rooms themselves are minimalist and luxe, with huge white bathtubs, fluffy white bedding and floor-to-ceiling windows that let the light stream in.

Originally built as a mansion for the noble Familie Tourrel d’Almeran in the 17th century, the hotel was purchased and renovated by German couple Ralph Huesgen and Margot Staengle. The way they’ve integrated the architecture, which is grand, ornate and cold, with modern furniture and texture to add warmth, vitality and luxury is inspiring; it feels as though this is how the space is meant to be experienced.