L'Estelle en Camargue

“I have travelled the world extensively over 40 years. I ate at all restaurants ranging from pop & mom’s to Michelin three stars. This is my honest review of the restaurant inside the hotel L’Estelle en Camargue. A lovely restaurant located inside a boutique luxury hotel, with a spacious terrace that wraps around the swimming pool and offers stunning views over the Camargue waters. We even saw some birds flying by—I’m sure you can occasionally spot more wildlife from here, which adds to the charm. The food was excellent: we had a delicious mixed salad, a fish and risotto dish, and a fresh fruit salad for dessert. Everything was flavorful, well-prepared, and felt healthy and satisfying. It’s not haute cuisine, but solidly very good fare in a beautiful setting. The staff were warm and attentive, and a nice bonus is that the hotel provides an electric car charging station, which was very convenient for us. All in all, a very pleasant dining experience—highly recommended if you’re in the area.”

“A lovely small hotel in a great setting. Rooms arranged around a very nice pool with an infinity edge onto a small etang. Stables for [white] horses which graze on adjoining fields abut the hotel building. The level of service from all of the staff is self-consciously high with managers openly and frequently (but always pleasantly) guiding and pointing junior staff on their attention to detail. Our room was a junior suite and was comfortable, well maintained with a spacious bathroom and private garden. Sitting around the pool or in the hot tub or the outdoor lounge area overlooking the etang with a cool drink are pleasant ways to spend an afternoon. Sitting on the stone flagged terrace by the pool, a lovely place for breakfast. Saint Marie is a busy sea side beach town about ten minutes drive away with a huge array of bars and restaurants and even an arena for bullfights. The sole criticism, and really it's not a huge one, is that perhaps the chef who was on duty during our stay is not quite at a level or quality commensurate with the rest of the hotel nor, to be blunt, the price on the menu. The food is fine. There is nothing offensive. But in an hotel described as five star and with the levels of service and amenity it offers, the menu and food are a little uninspired and uninspiring. Still a lovely place for a relaxing and luxury break. A genuine top line chef would be the icing the cake deserves.”