Fodor's Expert Review Hôtel de la Mirande

A romantic's dream of a hotel, this petit palais permits you to step into 18th-century Avignon: enjoy painted coffered ceilings, sumptuous antiques, extraordinary handmade wall coverings, beautiful Oriental rugs, and other superb grand siècle touches (those sisal mats on the floors were the height of chic back in the Baroque era). The central lounge is a skylighted and jazz-warmed haven. Upstairs, guest rooms—most with views of the palace—are both gorgeous and comfy, with extraordinary marble baths. The costume-drama dining room is the perfect setting for the restaurant's sophisticated cuisine, one of the best in Avignon under Chef Jean-Claude Aubertin.