{"id":15044,"date":"2023-01-27T02:51:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T09:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/?p=15044"},"modified":"2023-01-24T17:51:34","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T00:51:34","slug":"villa-gallici-a-stunning-and-luxurious-boutique-hotel-in-aix-en-provence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/?p=15044","title":{"rendered":"VILLA GALLICI, A STUNNING AND LUXURIOUS BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN AIX-EN-PROVENCE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence is unlike almost any other boutique hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I was fortunate to be here for two nights while on a Backroads Provence bike tour last September. I entered the lobby in my lycra cycling gear, somewhat out of place, a little sweaty and tired from a day of riding. My senses were immediately jolted with the almost over-the-top decor of impossibly rich fabrics, furniture and accessories. For a second I thought I was possibly transported to a ravishing Florentine palazzo.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Villa Gallici was the dream of three interior designers over 30 years ago who magically transformed the building into a beautiful boutique hotel. Today it is part of the <\/strong>Baglioni Hotels.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The interiors are a polychromatic assemblage of stunning and luxurious fabrics from French and Italian design houses. I spent my career in decorative textiles and home furnishings, so I definitely felt I was in my element!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All the rooms have an undeniable charm.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I followed a smartly attired staff person up the stairs to my room.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A gate opened up to a private patio. Each of the 23 rooms and suites have unique layouts and design.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I descended the stairs to the bedroom area.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A staff member made sure everything was in order and to my liking.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The fabrics were fabulous and elegant!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The walls were upholstered with a “toile de jouy” fabric. The curtains were<\/strong> a combination of the same toile and a beautiful embroidery. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now here is the interesting part! The bathroom area was up…2 flights of stairs! Not my favorite part of the room but I can be adaptable!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I had an old-fashioned tub and a modern walk-in shower.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let’s explore the outside area.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The terrace is shaded by plane trees<\/strong> and a delightful spot for dining.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The scents of nature and flowers fill the air.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An ancient fountain is filled with fragrant roses.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The welcoming pool area and spa.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A few of the ladies on my bike trip enjoyed afternoon tea.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Afternoon tea can also be taken inside.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I found<\/strong> a beautiful breakfast glamorously set up. For a moment I thought…should I just stay back in the hotel and relax…or go with the guides for today’s cycling?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is where I enjoyed breakfast each morning. I really didn’t want to leave!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A lustrous silk satin is used with an Italian brocade stripe.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As in most elevated places…It’s in the details!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sumptuous seating beckons one to sit and luxuriate in the surroundings.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I loved the upholstered wall with Italian fabrics. This one even has a moire jacquard woven insert.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can almost fantasize you are visiting your wealthy eccentric aunt’s petite palace or villa filled with treasures.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I planned ahead and booked massage treatments in their spa. Perfect following a hard ride<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Relaxing after my massage I reflected on how fortunate I am to experience such a wonderful place.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A 2021 award plaque from Conde’ Nast<\/strong> Traveler.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I always have difficulty leaving a place of such enchantment. Tomorrow is another day and new adventures await.<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Villa Gallici in Aix-en-Provence is unlike almost any other boutique hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I was fortunate to be here for two nights while on a Backroads Provence bike tour last September. I entered the lobby in my lycra cycling gear, somewhat out of place, a little sweaty and tired from a day of riding. My senses were immediately jolted with the almost over-the-top decor of impossibly rich fabrics, furniture and accessories. For a second I thought I was possibly transported to a ravishing Florentine palazzo. Villa Gallici was the dream of three interior designers over 30 years ago who magically transformed the building into a beautiful boutique hotel. Today it is part of the Baglioni Hotels. The interiors are a polychromatic assemblage of stunning and luxurious fabrics from French and Italian design houses. I spent my career in decorative textiles and home furnishings, so I definitely felt I was in my element! All the rooms have an undeniable charm. I followed a smartly attired staff person up the stairs to my room. A gate opened up to a private patio. Each of the 23 rooms and suites have unique layouts and design. I descended the stairs to the bedroom area. A staff member made sure everything was in order and to my liking. The fabrics were fabulous and elegant! The walls were upholstered with a “toile de jouy” fabric. The curtains were a combination of the same toile and a beautiful embroidery. Now here is the interesting part! The bathroom area was up…2 flights of stairs! Not my favorite part of the room but I can be adaptable! I had an old-fashioned tub and a modern walk-in shower. Let’s explore the outside area. The terrace is shaded by plane trees and a delightful spot for dining. The scents of nature and flowers fill the air. An ancient fountain is filled with fragrant roses. The welcoming pool area and spa. A few of the ladies on my bike trip enjoyed afternoon tea. Afternoon tea can also be taken inside. I found a beautiful breakfast glamorously set up. For a moment I thought…should I just stay back in the hotel and relax…or go with the guides for today’s cycling? This is where I enjoyed breakfast each morning. I really didn’t want to leave! A lustrous silk satin is used with an Italian brocade stripe. As in most elevated places…It’s in the details! Sumptuous seating beckons one to sit and luxuriate in the surroundings. I loved the upholstered wall with Italian fabrics. This one even has a moire jacquard woven insert. You can almost fantasize you are visiting your wealthy eccentric aunt’s petite palace or villa filled with treasures. I planned ahead and booked massage treatments in their spa. Perfect following a hard ride. Relaxing after my massage I reflected on how fortunate I am to experience such a wonderful place. A 2021 award plaque from Conde’ Nast Traveler. I always have difficulty leaving a place of such enchantment. Tomorrow is another day and new adventures await. Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15047,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[558,560,421,559],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15044","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aix-en-provence","category-boutique-hotels","category-france-travel","category-luxury"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gentryconnects.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/1.jpg?fit=1700%2C1133&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15044"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15044\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15137,"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15044\/revisions\/15137"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15044"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15044"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gentryconnects.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}