Chances are that you’ll run out of superlatives to describe this adorable hotel. Standing opposite the church in a tranquil hamlet, Cuq en Terrasses was built as a presbytery in the 18th century. Latterly it was owned by an English architect before being converted into a near-perfect hotel by Philippe Gallice and Andonis Vassalos.
Andonis is a talented chef and his set ‘menu surprise’, served at 8 pm to individual tables, needs to be reserved the day before since all ingredients are freshly sourced and prepared to order. It’s hard to imagine a more romantic location for an exquisite dinner than the terrace, with its panoramic views over a bucolic valley. One amorous chap was so taken by it that he hired the whole hotel for himself and his intended; after a champagne dinner, he proposed as the sun set over the horizon and even orchestrated a shower of rose petals when the answer was yes!
The extensive, steeply sloping grounds hide colourful gardens with shady nooks from which to admire the peaceful, pastoral scene. The accommodation has exposed beams and is simply but stylishly furnished with a hotchpotch of pieces collected by the welcoming owners. Particularly noteworthy is the ‘suite’, a converted pigeonnier near the swimming pool. But all the rooms (and their bathrooms) can be viewed on the excellent website.