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Top Ten Farmhouse HotelsA considerable number of our hotels were originally built as farms - not that surprising given that the regions that we choose are all deeply rural. Some of the hotels featured in our Top Ten remain delightfully rustic and exude farmhouse charm, while others are now stylish hotels hardly recognisable as farms.
Ferme du Vert, Picardy. Carefully converted from farm buildings that date back to the Napoleonic era, this 3-star logis is, quite simply, delightful, and the setting idyllic. Most bedrooms look out over the courtyard, with its small duck pond and masses of flowers in summer. Those in the old hayloft are particularly attractive, with high, sloping ceilings. Downstairs, the intimate restaurant (complete with a log fire) successfully blends modern and rustic styles and makes a pleasant setting in which to enjoy the delicious country cooking. Can Jou, Garrotxa. Can Jou is a 15th-century farmhouse tucked away in the peaceful Catalan hills, enjoying fantastic views over rugged peaks to the snow-capped Pyrenees beyond. Nowadays it is a very popular riding centre, its success no doubt due partly to its homely, rustic feel and welcoming atmosphere. The focal point (other than the stables, of course) is the large dining room, where you enjoy leisurely (and often quite animated!) dinners of delicious Catalan specialities with hosts Mick and Rosa. Can Jou also features on our popular Pyrenees to Garrotxa walk.
Gîte de Toureves, Cévennes. The great feature of this chambres d'hôtes is the setting on a remote hillside midway along our Beneath Mont Lozère walk. From this tranquil spot, you can see as far as Mount Ventoux in Provence on a clear day; sunset and sunrise are spectacular sights. Your host, Jacques Lemaire, is a mine of information about the region, and will regale you with stories as you dine at the large table under the chestnut tree. As many ingredients as possible are from local producers and, if you get the chance, you should try Jacques' innovative aperitifs made from ingredients such as cherry tree leaves! Les Juliannes, Tarn. The second of our horse riding centres to feature on our list, Les Juliannes is a welcoming chambres d'hôtes converted from a 17th-century farmhouse. The décor is rustic and attractive in its simplicity, yellows and other warm colours giving it a distinctly southern feel. Look out for the subtle 'horsey' details and the views from the farmhouse over the rolling hills. Hotel Wiesenhof, Tyrol. Nowadays it boasts the most outstanding spa of any hotel in our selection, with a mind-boggling range of facilities and treatments, but its original incarnation was as a farmhouse with just a handful of guestrooms. What guests really like about the hotel is that, despite its radical transformation over the decades, the Entner family has been careful to keep the emphasis firmly on warm hospitality, personalised service and good food.
Cortijo el Sotillo, Almería. Given that Cortijo el Sotillo was originally a hacienda (manor farm), it is fitting that nowadays it is not just any hotel but an elegant 4-star establishment complete with a swimming pool, tennis courts, archery and horse riding facilities. A great place to end the Coast of Almería walk. Auberge de Concasty, Cantal. Madame Causse's comfortable 3-star hotel is set in extensive grounds and surrounded by meadows. You sleep in what were once the stables, now beautifully decorated, individually styled bedrooms. Delicious cuisine is served in the beamed restaurant overlooking the terrace, and the cosy sitting room has a handsome inglenook fireplace. |
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Berghotel Zirmerhof,
Trentino Dolomites. Set 1,500 metres above sea level amid the breathtaking
scenery of the Trentino Dolomites, this former manor farmhouse is a truly
special place, run by the charming Sepp Perwanger and his family. The
building's history is best appreciated in the cosy library and delightful stube (parlour), though perhaps the best feature is the frescoed restaurant
– not only does it afford a splendid panorama of the western Dolomites,
but it also offers excellent cuisine, much of which is based on age-old
recipes researched by Sepp's grandmother. A great base for walking, and in fact features on our 
Torre del Visco, Aragón. The luxurious Torre del Visco
does not feel like a working farm, but indeed it is, with olives one of
the principal crops. As soon as you step in the door, you know you have
arrived somewhere special: warm-coloured fabrics, comfy sofas, masses
of fresh flowers, attractive stone fireplaces and intriguing books left
open on occasional tables invite you to relax and unwind. The cuisine
is excellent and the extensive breakfast spreads laid on each morning
the best we have ever seen. A real treat on our 
Ca's Curial, Mallorca. Featured on our