Luberon Luxury: Your Dream Shared-Pool Holiday Home Awaits in Gargas, France!
Luberon Luxury: Does it Live Up to the Hype? My Messy, Honest Review!
Okay, folks, let's be real. I've stayed in my fair share of "luxury" accommodations, and let me tell you, sometimes the reality doesn't quite match the brochure. But Luberon Luxury in Gargas, France? Well, that one… that one actually intrigued me. "Your Dream Shared-Pool Holiday Home Awaits!" they crow. Dream? Shared? Pool? My inner cynic was on HIGH alert. But I booked it anyway. And now, after a week of sunshine, rosé, and questionable French phrases, I'm here to spill the beans.
Accessibility - Ugh, Finally, Someone Thinking!
First off, HUGE props to Luberon Luxury for actually considering accessibility. Elevators are a beautiful thing in a region known for its hills. I'm not personally in a situation where accessibility is a dealbreaker, but knowing that the place is designed for everyone? Makes me feel… good. Inclusive. Human. (And it makes your grandma happy, too!). I will say, I didn't fully investigate the facilities for disabled guests, but the presence of an elevator and general flat terrain in common areas hinted at a commitment that's sadly rare. This alone gets them major brownie points.
Internet - The Lifeline (and the Downside!)
Let's talk about the modern necessities: Internet. They claim Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yessss! And, in general, it held up. I mean, I needed my Instagram fix, obviously. And I did manage to Skype my mother, though the connection wavered a bit during the crucial part of the conversation about her. More importantly, the fact that they offered Internet access in general and Internet [LAN] as an option is good. Plus, Wi-Fi in public areas: handy for lazy afternoons nursing a coffee (see below). However, I will say, sometimes the signal in my room, while technically present, felt like it was powered by a particularly grumpy hamster. So, there's that. But hey, at least I could be online.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax & The Spa That Almost Broke Me (in a Good Way)
Okay, buckle up, because this is where things got interesting. Luberon Luxury throws amenities at you like a confetti cannon at a wedding. Seriously. Pool with a view? Check. Swimming pool [outdoor]? Check. Sauna, Steamroom, Spa, Spa/sauna? Alright, Luberon Luxury, you're pushing it. I started questioning if I'd accidentally stumbled into a Bond villain's lair.
But the spa… oh, the spa. Let me tell you about it. They offered Body scrubs, Body wraps, Massages. I opted for a massage. My masseuse, a woman named (I think) Chantal, had hands of steel and a heart of gold. She kneaded the knots out of my shoulders like she was sculpting a Michelangelo. I swear, I swear, I could have levitated after it. Pure, unadulterated bliss. They also have a Foot bath! (I didn't try it - I was already too blissed out.)
Now, I'm not a gym rat, so I didn’t hit the Fitness center/gym/fitness (too much sun worshipping), but it was there. As were things like Poolside Bar and general ways to relax. Oh, and the Breakfast in room one morning was pure decadence – delivered with a smile and a genuine, "Bonjour, madame!"
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A French Feast (and a Few Fumbles!)
Alright, food. It’s France, right? This is where they should shine! And for the most part, they did. The restaurants offered a tempting array. They had Restaurants, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant. It was mostly brilliant. A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant. I’m not a huge fan of Buffet in restaurant, if I'm honest (germs!), but the food was actually pretty good. And! They cater for vegetarians! The fact that they offered Alternative meal arrangement is what I'm all about!
The Bar itself was a godsend for the obligatory pre-dinner pastis. Happy hour? YES, PLEASE. There was the usual Bottle of water in the room, and even a Coffee shop.
Now, a few minor hiccups. The Desserts in restaurant, were sometimes a little… meh. And the Snack bar options were limited. This is a small complaint though. Overall, dining was a win.
Cleanliness and Safety - They Actually Care? (Good!)
I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this was hugely important to me. And, thank goodness, Luberon Luxury takes it seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Room sanitization between stays. Made me feel safe. The Hot water linen and laundry washing are also great. The fact that they offered Hand sanitizer around the place was fab. Also, a First aid kit is always a good thing to see. Plus: Hygiene certification, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol… they’ve covered all the bases. I actually relaxed a bit.
Services and Conveniences - A Mixed Bag, but Mostly Helpful
They’ve got everything you'd expect in a hotel. The concierge was helpful. There was a Daily housekeeping, a doorman, and even dry cleaning! Some things are awesome, some less so. The Facility for disabled guests is cool. Plus, there's always a safety deposit box.
The meeting/banquet facilities and all that stuff, the Business facilities, are probably useful if you're… doing business. I'm not. I was on vacation.
For the Kids - Ah, the Babysitters!
Okay, I don’t have kids, but I have to give credit where it's due. Luberon Luxury seems genuinely kid-friendly. Babysitting service (brave!), Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. It's a win if you have them.
In the Rooms - The Little Things Matter (and the Big Ones Too)
The rooms? Comfortable. Not over-the-top fancy, but clean, well-appointed, and thoughtfully designed. They offer basically everything: Air conditioning, Air conditioning in public area, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Non-smoking. Plus there are Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
A few other details: Additional toilet, Bathroom phone, Carpeting, Interconnecting room(s) available, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Wake-up service. It's all there!
Getting Around - Convenient, But Not Perfect
They offer the usual: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking. I rented a car, as one does in Provence. The Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site] was a big relief.
The Verdict: Should You Book?
Okay, to be honest, I went in expecting a mediocre experience and a lot of fluff. What I got was a genuinely enjoyable vacation. Luberon Luxury exceeded my expectations. The spa, the staff, the overall vibe… it's all pretty wonderful. It’s not perfect - the internet can be spotty, and the dessert menu could use a revamp. But the good far outweighs the bad.
Here's my offer to you – MY readers!
Book your stay at Luberon Luxury through my special link (I'll get a tiny commission, which I'll immediately spend on more croissants!). You'll get:
- Guaranteed Upgrade (subject to availability!) - Because you deserve a little extra luxury!
- A complimentary bottle of local rosé upon arrival - Cheers to that!
- My personal guarantee: If you're unhappy with your stay, I'll buy you a coffee. (Seriously. DM me. But don't be a jerk.)
**So, what are you waiting for? Book your dream holiday at Luberon Luxury
Escape to Italy: Stunning Chalet in the Dolomites!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious chaos that was my Luberon adventure. Forget Pinterest-perfect itineraries, this is gonna be the real, slightly sunburnt, slightly wine-stained deal. My "holiday home with shared pool" – and by "shared pool," I mean a pool where you might have to share with some screaming French toddlers – became my basecamp for a week of glorious, imperfect chaos.
Day 1: Arrival & "Oh Mon Dieu, What Have I Done?"
- 10:00 AM (ish): Landed in Marseille. The airport was a whirlwind of stressed-out tourists and a distinct lack of helpful signage. Managed to find the rental car after a mild panic attack involving a malfunctioning vending machine and a croissant-related existential crisis.
- 12:00 PM: GPS led me astray. Twice. After a couple of wrong turns and a near-miss with a flock of sheep, I finally found the holiday home in Gargas. The view? Stunning, absolutely postcard-worthy. The house itself? Well, let's just say the photos on the website had undergone some serious airbrushing. It was charming, in a slightly crumbling, needs-a-good-scrub kind of way.
- 1:00 PM: Unpacked, which mainly consisted of me tripping over my suitcase and letting out a string of, ahem, French-adjacent exclamations. The pool was… smaller than advertised. And the "shared" part was immediately evident. There was a gaggle of French families already staking their claim, and their kids were launching themselves into the water like torpedoes. My inner child cowered.
- 2:00 PM: Decided to embrace the chaos. Grabbed my oversized inflatable flamingo, a bottle of rosé, and cautiously approached the pool. Successfully avoided being cannonballed on. Victory!
- 4:00 PM: Wandered into the village of Gargas. The first thing I saw was an old woman with a baguette almost as long as she was! It was picture-perfect French village life, and I absolutely loved it. The local bakery was a revelation. Croissants that practically dissolved on your tongue, pain au chocolat that oozed chocolate goodness - I was smitten.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Had a delicious meal at a restaurant in the village. Drank way too much rosé and attempted to speak French. My attempts were met with polite smiles and a lot of head-tilting.
- 9:00 PM: Passed out from jet lag and rosé.
Day 2: Market Mayhem and Lavender Dreams
- 9:00 AM (ish): Woke up with a head that felt like a bag of hammers. Definitely going easier on the rosé tonight.
- 10:00 AM: Drove to the market in Apt. Oh. My. God. The market was HUGE. A sensory explosion of colours, smells, and sounds. The vendors were boisterous, the shoppers were assertive, and I was completely overwhelmed but in the best way possible. I bought way too many olives, some ridiculously cheesy cheese, and a hat that looked like a giant tomato.
- 12:00 PM: Attempted to make lunch back at the house. Failed miserably. The oven was, let's say, temperamental. Ended up eating a mountain of bread, cheese, and olives.
- 2:00 PM: Drove to the lavender fields. This was the visual highlight of the trip. Fields of purple stretching as far as the eye could see, with a scent that was both intoxicating and calming. Took a million photos, most of which will probably end up on the cutting room floor, but the memory is engraved in my heart and brain.
- 3:00 PM: Got lost. Again. Somehow, I managed to veer off the main road and find myself on a ridiculously narrow, winding track. Briefly considered my life choices, then laughed like a maniac. It's those wrong turns that make the journey memorable.
- 5:00 PM: Finally found my way back to civilization (and the lavender) and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering slowly, taking in the smell and just enjoying the peace.
- 7:00 PM: Managed to cook a simple pasta dinner. This was a triumph!
- 8:00 PM: Sat out under the stars. The sky was a velvety black, sprinkled with a million sparkling diamonds. Utterly breathtaking.
Day 3: Roussillon and the Red Earth
- 9:00 AM: Decided to visit Roussillon, a town famous for its red ochre cliffs. The colour of the village was simply stunning. Red houses, red roofs, red everything. It felt like being on another planet.
- 10:00 AM: Hiked the Ochre Trail. It was hot, dusty, and utterly worth it. The ochre cliffs were an incredible sight. I felt like a kid again, getting my shoes all red from the soil.
- 12:00 PM: Ate lunch at a tiny café in Roussillon. Tried the local rosé. It was perfectly refreshing on that hot sunny day.
- 2:00 PM: Got lost on the way back to the house. Again! This time, it involved a detour through a ridiculously tiny village and a brief interaction with a very confused French farmer. (The farmer was more confused than I was.)
- 4:00 PM: Back at the house. Decided to spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool, reading a book, and avoiding any further driving adventures.
- 6:00 PM: Attempted to make pizza. Burned it. But, hey, the rosé was flowing.
Day 4: Gordes and the Monastery
- 9:00 AM: Visited Gordes. It was perched on a hilltop and it felt like a dream. I got to take some amazing photos up there.
- 10:00 AM: Saw the Senanque Abbey, which is surrounded by lavender fields. It was so beautiful.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in Gordes. This involved a long, leisurely meal, delicious food, and way too much people-watching. The French are masters of the long lunch, and I decided to embrace the tradition.
- 2:00 PM: Made my way slowly back to the holiday home.
- 4:00 PM: Just soaked up the sun and took a nap.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner and a walk by the pool.
Day 5: The Wine Tour That Wasn't (And Why It Was Perfect)
- 9:00 AM: Planned to go on a wine tour.
- 10:00 AM: Got distracted by a particularly charming book about Provençal cooking and spent the morning engrossed in recipes.
- 12:00 PM: Decided to make a simple lunch. Got a little too enthusiastic with the olive oil and managed to set off the smoke alarm. (Oops.)
- 2:00 PM: Thought about the wine tour again. Decided I was too relaxed and happy to do it.
- 4:00 PM: Went to the pool. Tried to learn to do the backstroke. Failed miserably.
- 6:00 PM: Cooked a lovely simple meal.
- 7:00 PM: Drank a glass of beautiful wine.
Day 6: Back to the Market and a Moment of Perfect Serenity
- 9:00 AM Decided to go back to the market in Apt.
- 11:00 AM Bought a few more cheese and loaves of bread.
- 1:00 PM Ate lunch in the sun in the quiet and peace.
- 2:00 PM Went for a long slow walk.
- 4:00 PM Decided to go to the local town.
- 7:00 PM Dinner out.
Day 7: Au Revoir, Luberon (For Now!)
- 9:00 AM: Packed. Said a fond goodbye to the somewhat crumbling, but utterly charming, holiday home.
- 10:00 AM: Drove back to the airport. The drive was smooth, and I didn't get lost once. (Miracle!)
- 12:00 PM: Airport. Security…sigh.
- 1:00 PM: Boarded the plane, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and euphoria.
Lessons Learned:
- GPS is only occasionally your friend. Trust your instincts, and embrace getting lost.
- Never underestimate the power of a good baguette.
- The French are masters of relaxation. Learn from them.
- Don't be afraid to burn pizza. It's all part of the adventure.
- Sometimes, the best plans are the ones you don't make.
This was not just a vacation; it was a lesson in embracing the joy of imperfection, the beauty of unexpected detours, and the sheer, unadulterated pleasure of being utterly, wonderfully, gloriously human. Would I go back?
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Caorle Villa Awaits!
Luberon Luxury: You've Got Questions, We Might Have Answers (Maybe!)
Okay, So Luberon Luxury... Sounds Fancy. Is It Actually? Like, Worth the Hype?
Shared Pool? Is That, Like, Awkward? Do I Have to Share with a Bunch of Loud Kids?
Location, Location, Location. Where *Exactly* Are We Talking About? And Is it Easy to Get Around?
What About the House Itself? Is It, You Know, Actually Comfortable? Or Just Beautiful?
So, What's the Deal with the "Shared" Aspect? Like, Do I Share the Bathroom?! (Please Say No.)
What Kind of People Does Luberon Luxury Suit? Is It For Everyone?
What Do I Absolutely HAVE to Do While I'm There?
- **Visit the markets:** Every town has one. Get there early (like, before the hordes descend). Stock up on local produce, cheese, and olive oil. Seriously, the food is a revelation.
- **Hike:** Even a short one, to take in the view. The scenery is breathtaking.
- **Explore the villages:** Gordes, Roussillon (the ochre cliffs!), Bonnieux, Lacoste… each one is unique and charming. Expect to get lost. Delight in it.
- **Eat all the ice cream:** Seriously. Every flavor. Do it for me!
- **Go stargazing:** The night sky in the Luberon is incredible. Find a dark spot, lie down, and be amazed. It's therapeutic. And beautiful.
- **Wine tasting...duh:** Seriously.
