Hôtel Le Couvent Royal

Hôtel Le Couvent Royal descritpion

This hotel is located in Provence, less than a 30 minute drive from Aix-en-Provence. The 13th-century Gothic building offers spacious rooms with views of the cloister or the gardens.
The Hotel Le Couvent Royal has a gourmet restaurant, which serves seasonal cuisine, prepared with fresh market products. It opens onto the cloister.
Services at the hotel include 24-hour check-in and a daily breakfast.
The Hotel Le Couvent is next to the Basilica and built around a cloister.

Recommand

Low rates——No booking fees • Save money!Best price guarantee — enter dates to see these prices!
16 properties in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume——Including hotels, apartments, villas and more.
Manage your bookings online——Sign up for a FREE account·View a single booking.
587 independent reviews——We verify all reviews from guests who've stayed at Hôtel Le Couvent Royal. Find out more about Booking.com Reviews.
The staff speaks English——Hôtel Le Couvent Royal's staff speaks:Italian,French,Spanish,English
Booking is safe——When you book with us your details are protected by a secure connection.

Facilities of Hôtel Le Couvent Royal

Outdoors ：Grounds

Pets ：Pets are allowed. Charges may apply.

Activities ：Golf Course (within 2 miles) | Cycling | Playground

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Restaurant with Dining Menu

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed) and costs EUR 10 per day.

Languages Spoken ：Italian | French | Spanish | English

Reviews for Hôtel Le Couvent Royal

Review 1：The room was a cell. Before i arrived i asked for an upgrade. When i arrived the receptionist said yes we have given you an upgrade and we are not going to charge you. But the room was awful.

Review 2：Beautiful building and nice staff

Review 3：This is an old convent converted to a hotel. They've done a very nice job of repurposing it. The rooms and clean and comfortable. The restaurant was good. We only stayed one night to get ready to fly home the next day and left before breakfast, so I can't comment on that. We had dinner here which was very good. Driving in and finding the entrance was a bit tricky. Since you have to ask for the gate to be opened, it might be tricky if doing it solo.

Review 4：At the arrival we were told that our room is not able to add an extra bed, and we need to pay extra money to upgrade our room. We shall be informed of such information, as we also received email from other hotels. But the sir in the reception said that it had nothing to do with the hotel, we shall be told by booking as we had our reservation on booking!!!! This was irresponsible!!! Well we were neither informed by Booking, nor by the hotel, and we had no choice but to pay extra money to upgrade room!!!! It was not expensive, but we don't expect such surprise!! And at the night when we would like to sleep, we found that there is no quilt or blanket for the extra bed, and we had to go downstairs to ask again.

Review 5：The location, and the unique structure of the couvent.

Review 6：The food was expensive for what it was - especially the breakfast @ 14E without any hot food this felt uncomfortably pricey.

Review 7：Beautiful location and we felt revived after a long day driving.

Review 8：No air-conditioning or ceiling / room fans. Was 38C when we stayed - hot! A fan would have been really welcomed! Also a blind or curtain to cover the bathroom window for privacy would come in handy.

Review 9：Gorgeous building, haven't stayed in anything quite like this. Rooms were comfortable and food was great.

Review 10：The bedrooms didn't have aircon. The extra bed wasn't in the room on arrival. The restaurant is very over priced for what it is, althought I did enjoy the meal but I would not eat there again as it wasn't value for money.

Review 11：The surroundings were beautiful and was in the centre of town. The convent is so lovely

Review 12：Extremely hot inside the room, and no way to cool it down (no ventilator, no air conditioning). Simple window with single glass. No way to block the sun light early in the morning. The curtains were not enough.

Review 13：The hotel architecture is amazing. The view of the internal garden from the room window. I had the impression to be back in time.

Review 14：for the inclosed parking at the hotel you pay 10 euros a night. Bit expensive

Review 15：Beautiful hotel located in a basilics in the centre of beautiful St Maximin

Review 16：The room temperature was extremly high and close to +30C and due to the absence of an air condition or even just a ventilator impossible to fall a sleep. This is clearly not acceptable in a region with regularily very warm summers. The management fully failed here.

Review 17：Location was great,it was in the middle of old town

Review 18：St Maximine is a very lovely historic town. The history starts from your hotel. Great location. Staff was extremely helpful. Proper shower (even I would say, luxury bathroom). Good bed and beautiful linen. Goood breakfast in their restaurant that also includes meat and cheese. Secure parking on the grounds of the monastery-hotel.

Review 19：Very hot, 37 degrees, no air conditioning. It was very sticky in the room. Restaurant had run out of items on the menu, not just one, but several.

Review 20：History of the place.

Review 21：It would of been good to have had a fan in the room as it was very warm weather.

Review 22：It was a very central location in the village beside the Basillica of Mary Magdelene. It as an easy 5 or so minute walk to and from the bus station. Reception were very helpful.

Review 23：Expensive food which was of average quality and the WFI did not reach to our room

Review 24：Wondeful cloister setting in ancient building with loads of character that has been retained

Review 25：The reception staff were friendly, but they were the only people in sight! We waited 20 minutes to order a drink in the courtyard then went to find the wait staff. It was the same when we wanted to pay for the drinks. We didn't eat at the restaurant due to the bad reviews, a plus for the town's restaurants we were told! There was no WiFi despite being told it could be the storm? or sometimes it was slow or sometimes it only worked near the restaurant......

Review 26：This place is in a lovely little town. The porticos and courtyard are charming.

Review 27：The mix of the old convent with modern conveniences was tastefully done. The proximity to restaurants and the Wednesday markets right at the front gate was handy. Onsite secure parking his great.

Review 28：Lack of wifi, staff not very attentive apart from staff at reception. Not may staff about when trying to get breakfast, or a drink at the bar. Breakfast over priced

Review 29：Beautiful hotel, great location

Review 30：Beautiful building. Old cloister with special features. The rooms are very noisy due to bad isolation. During low season management decided to have drumsessions in the cloisters facing all rooms. The management is lacking the ability to receive large groups and controlling them in a very noisy building. Noise until 5 am is unacceptable at any price! On top of all the noise the beds are outdated or very cheap, no comfort at all. Want to see how you should not run a hotel visit this one!!

Review 31：Room categories booking.com are not clear and don't correspond to the hotel's listing. Small bathrooms. Unreasonably high cost is charges for parking under the trees, which are part of the hotel complex.

Review 32：Nice location, in the old religious buildings, right in the centre of the town. Nice decoration.

Review 33：I booked this hotel on New Year's Eve . There no hot water .The room , dirty , freezing cold . There was no drink making facilities in the room .

Review 34：Good location

Review 35：Staff could be more helpful with advice regarding hotel and local facilities and sites

Review 36：Incredibly beautiful building, dripping with character and charm! Located within easy walking distance of quintessential French village with fantastic shopping and eateries.

Review 37：The was no reception room to lounge about or sit to read which was really bad.Also we wanted a drink when we arrived but there was nowhere to have one, order one or buy one? The bar had a big screen tv which ruined the ambience of the place and the staff took forever to take a drinks order.

Review 38：The feel of the hotel.

Review 39：The spectacular and historical building is located in a convenient village with big supermarkets and good restaurant around. You can feel the history after you get into the gate of the hotel. Nice bar and restaurant offering delicious food and breakfast.

Review 40：Compared to the good value dinner, breakfast (nothing special) wasexpensive. I do not understand why they feel the need to charge 10 eurosfor parking in their private enclave.

Review 41：The amazing old building, the way it had been so beautifully convertedwithout losing its original atmosphere. Contrary to reviews, we thoughtthe food was good.

Review 42：We understood when making our booking that parking was available without the need for a reservation. When we arrived the parking spaces were all occupied so we had to unload our luggage and then drive to free public parking site about 0.6km away and then walk back to the hotel. The receptionist was polite but unhelpful in these circumstances. The restaurant was fully occupied so we had to find a restaurant in the town for an evening meal.

Review 43：The location was good and we found it quite easily. The hotel was certainly atmospheric. The room was a good size and quite comfortable.

Review 44：.Nothing!!! We stayed mid week so no bells from the basillica. I imagine it may be a bit noisy on a Sunday.

Review 45：Very atmospheric ambience.Brilliant location next to the basillica.Nice typical French town. Strolling around the cloisters before breakfast. Very clever transformation from monestary to modern hotel with excellant standards including good beds and showerGood value.

Review 46：Leaking shower No a/c No mini bar fridge as described (there was one there but it didn't work apparently)

Review 47：Wonderful building Huge suite Huge four poster bed Location & quiet Resturant & staff there in Private secure parking

Review 48：We booked the standard room, which was very basic and small; next time will definitely upgrade.

Review 49：It is an absolutely beautiful hotel to stay in! It was grandiose and enchanting.

Review 50：The shower was broken - we reported the problem in the reception immediately, but they didn't fix it.

Review 51：We stayed in Le Couvert Royal for 2 days, while visiting Provence. We chose standard room and got the view on the monastery courtyard, very pleasing. Atmosphere of the place is unquestionable. Staff from the bar is very friendly and helpful

Review 52：See what did you like. Dining poor

Review 53：Bedrooms were comfortable. We brought many people to the hotel because of a daughter's wedding. The breakfast was good but the food otherwise they all felt was unimaginative. We found the lunch we had as fair, too much salad and little else, for an expensive price.

Review 54：The shower was a bit lack-luster and the staff at breakfast could have been friendlier.

Review 55：Huuuuge room with enormous bed, plenty of space for 2 single beds, living space etc. Bathroom was modest and seperate toilet. Breakfast was tasty and location perfect for easy access to town centre by foot or other destinations by car. Private hotel car park was very useful.

Review 56：- The rooms are small - The day staff could be a bit more professional - Parking inside the gates costs €10 extra when it really should be free like all other hotels.

Review 57：- The building is amazing. - If facing the garden, very quiet - Great night staff

Review 58：The bathroom was a little 'tired'.

Review 59：We loved the building and the fact that this special place was being used and preserved... Amazing unique place.

Review 60：Very poor breakfast

Review 61：Perfect ambience of an old convent with a great story; Despite the "age", still very comfortable; Located in a small sleepy town in the hills, very quiet; The restaurant is great: delicious inexpensive meals, located in a beautiful courtyard, with very friendly staff; Nice rooms (no luxury, but not too small and comfortable); Parking

Review 62：The parking should be free of charge for hotel guests.

Review 63：Spent two nights here and don't regret it! The traditon room was small but pleasant, facing the gardens/court yard and the basilica. We checked out other restaurants but decided to dine at the hotel both evenings and the dinner was absolutely amazing - highly recommended! The breakfast buffet was good, the coffee could be improved. Very friendly and attentive staff!

Review 64：Breakfast was overpriced considering they only offered a small selection and coffee from a thermo.

Review 65：The room was ok but in the far building so took quite a while to get to the room.

Review 66：It would not be a mistake to cover the really long corridors with modern hotel carpets. That would definitely reduce noise level from outside the rooms. Clients should be aware that there is NO air condition

Review 67：Giant old monastery, not over-renovated. In other words the place maintained its atmosphere. Rooms are nicely done, too. Restaurant not bad but probably best in town

Review 68：The room was terribly uncomfortable, from the bed to the sweltering heat to the tiny room bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the posted photos. Want an ice bucket to cool a drink? Extra towels? Forget it. I would never stay here again.

Review 69：The common areas and restaurant/courtyard were nice.

Review 70：even though i booked a room with cloister view in mid january i was old on arrival at the end of june that there were non available.we ried to have a drink in the courtyard but no staff came to serve us.our room was at the front of the hotel facing the park,sadly there seemed to be a rave/dance party on which made it impossible to have the window open or sleep.on checkout the staff had no interest in our complaints and had no idea how much to charge for the drinks we had after we searched for a waiter.i would not reccomend this hotel.

Review 71：beautiful building in the centre of the town.

Review 72：We booked the superior room thinking it will be as the description, and it gave the feeling of being completely standard. The rapport quality/price is not good at all. Stay away of the restaurant, we saw the reviews saying it wasn't good but we decided to try it anyway because the location next to the garden was good, we waited one hour for the entree and the food wasn't good enough for the high price we paid (two menus for a total of 80 Euros). Breakfast is also overpriced. In general is an OK hotel if you get a deal of 60 Euros per night, it's not worth it more.

Review 73：The location of the hotel was good and the surroundings were great next to the basilique. This is basically the only positive point.

Review 74：The room was miles away bar closed at 8 Staff not accommodating

Review 75：Position

Review 76：Hard to find entrance

Review 77：Gloriously beautiful!

Review 78：Shower was a bit small.

Review 79：The history of the building. Really nice sheets and towels.

Review 80：Small rooms

Review 81：Proximity to the Basilica

Review 82：I can't eat dairy food and there was very little choice for breakfast

Review 83：the room, the en-suite, the restaurant all beautiful

Review 84：Impressive monumental Hotel

Review 85：Nothing

Review 86：A perfect hotel right in the heart of the centre, room was fine, windows opened up in bathroom & bedroom, staff were excellent.

Review 87：the hotel is in a monastery which has been well restored, next to the beautiful basilica of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume

Review 88：Bed a little too firm

Review 89：Great ambience

Review 90：The unique environment.

Review 91：Bed was too hard, but only because I have a hip problem.

Review 92：Restaurant and bedrooms overlooking cloister garden. dinner excellently pesented and served.

Review 93：Room looking over the cloister Breakfast in that magnificient room ! Location ! Location in that picturesque village !

Review 94：Location and Hotel Character

Review 95：Lack of amenities and an impersonal staff.

Review 96：Ambience of the old convent .

Review 97：Service was slow at best, and staff seemed incapable of remembering the orders

Review 98：Character of thé hotel

Review 99：Hotel character and grounds. Location.

Review 100：Very noisy art fair with a man with a megaphone.

Review 101：The wobbly tiles on the 2nd floor corridors

Review 102：The Sunday book fair!

Review 103：Service in the restaurant poor.

Review 104：Stunning setting

Review 105：None

Review 106：Location, architecture, rooms, food, atmosphere

Review 107：nothing, liked all, everything was good

Review 108：Amazing building Staff were good Food good, especially breakfast and waitress Jennifer was excellent.

Review 109：Some maintenance required on common areas

Review 110：Ambience

Review 111：The view, the rooms, the location

Review 112：Freshly painted room gave me the worse sore throat which got worse over the holiday; arrived back in the UK unwell. Very strong paint fumes/smell. Slightly hard mattress, so having a lie in not an option! The evening restaurant wasn't open when we were there in late May - they didn't tell us when booking that it doesn't open until June. Very limited restaurants to eat dinner in the village so this was disappointing. One night we didn't eat at all, due to everything in the village being closed.

Review 113：Loved the grounds/gardens, nice village location, Wednesday market, lots of local stalls to browse for bargains. Pleasant staff. Quiet, peaceful at night. Lovely shower.

Review 114：Expensive bare large room without a comfortable chair to sit on, Only a hard cane sofa. No hotel information in the room. Minibar was an empty fridge. No room service

Review 115：wifi , Restaraunt was good. Reception staff very helpful

Review 116：Too many plastic mineral water bottles lying around. It would be better to keep them in a cupboard or cold box.

Review 117：It's such a very beautiful building, that it was quite magical.

Review 118：Would have appreciated some kind of hotel info in the room. Place has such an interesting history, so would have liked to read about that in peace and quiet of the room.

Review 119：The character of the hotel was really good. Some authenticity of the former monastery is still there after renovations.

Review 120：No plug in the wash basin! No kettle in the room. Shortage of soap and shampoo

Review 121：Excellent location very near the centre of the town. Good on-site parking. Friendly helpful staff. Good restaurant and dining. Unique character location. Bedroom practical and comfortable.

Review 122：Internet service was not very good, many drop-outs. Parking service fee when not many other places for their costumers to park.

Review 123：Location was the main reason for choosing this hotel. When we were there the kitchens were being renovated so no restaurant service so cannot comment. Quite a few restaurants with-in walking distance.

Review 124：The restaurant was closed for refurbishment. The Bar is magnificent but closes at 10pm each night! The bar needs non-residents to make it busier & therefore the door to the public square needs to be open in the evening & the courtyard lighting stay on to make it inviting to the guests.

Review 125：a lovely setting in the old Convent building. Our hotel room window overlooked the beautiful courtyard.

Review 126：When we first arrived they showed us to a twin bedded room which was not what we had requested. We finally got the two triple rooms which were in our reservation, but had to ask.

Review 127：The location was great and because we were there on Wednesday morning, we spent several hours at the market and thought that was special.

Review 128：Staff was absolutely not helpful Minibar not working Minibar empty Door lock repaired roughly after repair (with a sigle rough-edged piece of metal) Dirty rooms, dirty corridors Broken "shower-head" rest - no "no hand" showering etc. No more stay there, ever

Review 129：Situated in the historic centre, wall-to-wall to the Hotel de Ville and Basilique

Review 130：we liked the location and its proximity to the grotto of st. mary magdaleine. this has been our second time staying at the hotel. thanks again for a very enjoyable stay

Review 131：our (superior) room was very sparse, but nevertheless comfortable.

Review 132：very evocative of times gone by. perfect location and very accommodating staff. Evening dinner was superb.

Review 133：Beautiful setting in the former convent. Our room had interior view of lovely courtyard. Lucky to be there on a Wednesday for the village market. Amazing variety of foods let us put together a fabulous picnic!

Review 134：The building is stunning, oozing with character and history. Definitely not a 'box' hotel. Staff were helpful and friendly. Location is excellent, a few moments from the town square.. Be there on a Wednesday - the market is superb.

The Fine Print

Please note that a daily contribution to the renovation of the heritage of accommodations are not included in the room rate and must be paid at the hotel.From November 2 until March 31, 2015, the property closes on Sundays and Mondays.