The Best Cultural and Boutique Hotels to Book in Montpellier

The Domaine de Verchant is a five-star property with first-class facilities, located in Castelnau-le-Lez on the outskirts of Montpellier. The private dwelling is set in acres of private land – with manicured lawns, a fountain and a terrace welcoming guests who come here for some R&R. With a focus on wellness and gastronomy, the menu changes daily and there are two pools, a hamman, saunas, a jacuzzi and a spa offering hot stone massages, moisturizing body wraps and salt scrubs for total indulgence. Cocoon yourself in one of the hotel’s luxury robes and enjoy the peace.

Starting life as an 18th-century chateau, the Domain de Bair has since been transformed into an idyllic country retreat complete with roaming Camargue horses and 50 acres (20ha) of land. Offering 10 characterful rooms – which reference the property’s aristocratic history – expect freestanding clawfoot baths and period features. There’s a roaring fireplace to welcome you in the lobby and the hotel is big on sustainability – recycling wastewater and using an eco-heating system for the rooms are the norm here. There is also a small spa which is all you need for a relaxing country retreat – and it’s just a 20-minute drive to Montpellier, should you need some action.

Located in Castries – on the outskirts of Montpellier – Hôtel Disini Montpellier Est is a perfect option if you’re looking for something a little bit different. Nestled in its own grounds, this four-star hotel combines tranquillity and understated luxe. Each of the 16 rooms and suites is furnished with Asian and African artefacts which complement the “ethnic-chic” style – and the atmospheric restaurant takes your taste buds on a journey at every meal, with the sweet-savoury breakfast menu being a highlight. The Moroccan style spa and pool are the icing on this very intriguing cake.

Grand by name, grand by nature, the Grand Hotel du Midi is a 100-year-old Haussmann-style building – in the shadow of the impressive Place de la Comedie in the pedestrian area of the city. Built by the Carlier family in 1890 and renovated by Julie Gauthron in 2015, this stylishly furnished property is at the epicentre of downtown attractions. It’s the perfect base for explorers to head out by foot – while the uniquely curved headboards and bathtubs in the bedroom allow plenty of scope for romance when you return.

Situated in a privileged position in the heart of Montpellier, the Hotel d’Aragon is an elegant base to explore the city’s countless cultural attractions. The impressive stone building occupies a corner spot just moments away from the TGV station and it’s notable for the stone gargoyles, beamed ceilings and pretty balconies which guard the neoclassical facade. Big on sustainability, you can enjoy an organic breakfast in the glass-roofed veranda at the rear of the property before pounding the pavements – and no doubt you’ll sleep well in the comfortable bedrooms, which use ecofriendly products.

The tranquil neighbourhood between the Beaux-Arts and Boutonnet districts has more residential properties than hotels, and Hôtel du Parc is revered by guests for its low-key location. Once owned by the family of Count Vivier de Chatelard, the manor house is conveniently located near public transport – but is just enough off the beaten track so you can appreciate the charming, serene 18th-century neighbourhood. Romantics will love the Victorian-styled rooms and harmonious colour scheme and glorious patio – where you can enjoy breakfast in the sun.

If you’re looking for a discreet getaway, the Baudon de Mauny has nine palatial bedrooms hidden within a spacious, 18th-century townhouse in a cobbled courtyard in Montpellier’s old town. Behind the listed Louis XVI-style facade, the rooms have been meticulously renovated to include a mixture of period features and modern luxe accessories which ensure a lavish and comfortable stay. The antique window shutters, high ceilings and log fireplaces have been reinvented to complement the modern traveller’s needs, and packaged up in a beautiful boutique hotel in the centre of town.

Converted from two 19th-century townhouses, the Hotel des Arceaux is a laid-back property that fuses its history with contemporary comfort. The building has been knocked through to create one cosy base which is centred around a convivial garden – complete with a fishpond that offers shady spots if the sun gets too much – and there are 18 uniquely designed bedrooms for all tastes. This cosy accommodation is only a 15-minute walk into the heart of the action, and there are occasional street markets outside if you need some retail therapy without going too far.