The Best Hotels in Montpellier, France

This Haussmann-style hotel in the heart of Montpellier’s historic centre gives a nod to the neighbourhood’s theatrical leanings, with plenty of dark furnishings, heavy curtains and burgundy carpets. Quirky rooms have modern bathrooms with rainfall showers and private terraces. Art lovers won’t want to miss nearby Musée Fabre, which houses an impressive collection of European paintings spanning six centuries – it’s one of the biggest museums in France.

Located within a sculpture park, this ivy-draped boutique features five rooms decked out with mid-century modern furniture, modern art and claw-foot bathtubs. Friendly host Antoine also helps run the brilliant hotel bistro – you’ll want to eat here at least once, if only for the post-dinner cheese board. The marmite of Montpellier neighbourhoods, Antigone, is a 20-minute walk west; it’s worth a stroll along the almost dystopian Neoclassical boulevard either way.

Once you’ve had enough of the rooftop pool at this central hotel, wander west until you reach the Promenade du Peyrou, bookended by the city’s Arc de Triomphe and an 18th-century aqueduct. Fancy a road trip? It’s a 30-minute drive to Plage du Pilou, a broad white-sand beach separated from the mainland by a series of lagoons. Wannabe kitesurfers can take a beginner lesson with KWM Kiteschool.

This historic spa hotel dates back to 1898 – though the light-filled rooms have been given a revamp since then. Notable previous guests include Ella Fitzgerald and a slew of French celebrities. There’s a small palm-lined pool in the garden – but for a real hit of greenery, walk 15 minutes north to the Jardin des Plantes, which is packed with over 2,000 plant species.

Baudon de Mauny houses 10 palatial rooms with one distinct aesthetic. This 18th-century house turned upmarket B&B blends old and new, combining original flagstone floors and fireplaces with bold wallpaper and super modern light fittings with pleasing results. The old town’s bars, restaurants and galleries are right on your doorstep (ask host Alain to arrange an after-hours tour of Musée Fabre) – but the ornate in-house lounge (with honesty bar) is a good spot for a nightcap.

With stained glass windows, antique furniture and a grand curved staircase in the lobby, this 16-room boutique stays true to its 18th-century roots while providing guests with modern comforts. The high-ceilinged rooms have compact bathrooms (the cheapest rooms have shared toilets), and you can tear into Montpellier’s flakiest croissants on the shady breakfast terrace. Montpellier’s huge Gothic cathedral is an eight-minute walk away – explore the interior to get a real sense of its scale.

Ready for a romantic getaway? Book a room at this 16th-century working winery and boutique on the outskirts of Montpellier. The 26 rooms and suites are modern and have gigantic bathrooms – some feature original stone walls. The huge infinity pool overlooking the vines, decadent spa and 1,600-strong wine list could keep you occupied for days, but history buffs should save time to visit the Pont du Gard (about an hour’s drive away), the only three-tiered Roman aqueduct still standing today.

Set across a sprawling 19th-century townhouse, the 18 compact good-value rooms at Hôtel des Arceaux have views of the hotel’s shady garden or Aqueduct Saint-Clément. On Tuesday and Saturday mornings, you’ll find a market beneath the towering arches. Explore the nearby Promenade du Peyrou and botanic gardens, stopping for a Languedoc wine at l’Atelier des Vins, which sits on Place de la Canourgue, Montpellier’s oldest (and arguably prettiest) square.

Hopping along the south coast? Golden Tulip is just across the road from Montpellier’s train station, so exploring the wider region by rail is a doddle. This super modern hotel has 102 slick rooms with moody, charcoal bathrooms (some come with baths only, so best to state your preference in advance) and a wellness centre complete with sauna and hammam. Watch the world go by from the open-air, first-floor terrace bar – the whisky and carrot kombucha cocktail is far nicer than it sounds.