poss

We're looking at Aix as well, but I think that since we won't have a car, Avignon may be the better bet for us. (We hope to explore by bus or by small tour group or private driver/guide.)
We're very light sleepers and hope to find a lovely place that's very quiet. Would like king bed, reasonably spacious room and good bathroom fixtures. Can spend around $400 per night. Will that get us something very good? Will we find somewhere quiet and relaxing in town, or does one have to be outside (which would be difficult for us without a car).
Thank you very much for suggestions.

Christina

I don't usually stay in that category so cannot recommend something personally, but I know that price should get you something very nice in Avignon, even if that is currently only around 275 euro. I don't think you have to be outside the city, I think some top hotels are in relatively quiet spots or have rooms looking into the interior.

You dont' mention your dates which are important as prices can vary a lot depending on the dates. Summer is peak season and rates will often be a lot higher then.

you can check this place out, it is relatively central, but your price is not the superior level room http://www.heurope.com

This place is in your price range near the train station (good for day trips, and the bus station ios right next door), although that isn't really the most desirable area nor convenient to the main square http://www.cloitre-saint-louis.com/uk/index.php

It is walkable to the main square, but it's a ways (I'm guessing a couple km).

The Mirande is probably the most wellknown and even though it is dead center, I think noise isn't an issue from what I've read (I haven't stayed there). I think it would be over your budget, though, but you can check.

Those are my best ideas, maybe someone else knows about quiet hotels more.

seafox

You will do much better in Avignon with your generous budget then in Aix. It has been several years since we were ther but as I recall the city get's fairly quiet at night and as Christina mentions you should be able to get a very nice hotel. Another alternative would be a small hotel sout h of Avignon tpoward Aix. there are sveral that you can view on most hotel searches (just expand the map beyond Avignon). They appear to be quiet country loactions that might suit your needs.

Ackislander

Actually, the website says it is 220 metres from the SNCF station, the in-town Avignon Centrale station, not the TGV station outside the city.

It is an easy walk (500 metres or so)up the Rue de la Republique to the Place Horologe and the Palais de Papes from the station, presumably less from the hotel.

Cathinjoetown

The hotel I stayed in in Avignon was right on the main place so not a good choice for you.

I'm torn because Avignon is the more interesting town but Aix is very nice and the Villa Gallici fits all your requirements, a really lovelly hotel, very quiet, www.relaischateaux.com

The hotel is on the north side of Aix but an easy walk to the centre. Aix has a good open air market which is very extensive, the Cours Mirabeau and Cezanne's atelier, among other sites.

Underhill

If you could snag a special price at the La Mirande, that beautiful hotel should suit you very well.

kerouac

Yes, I don't think La Mirande would have noise problems.

poss

Thanks for the replies.
Wow! La Mirande looks like a truly wonderful hotel, but it's way beyond our budget. Looks like it'd cost around $600+ rather than our "reach" of about $400. Villa Gallici likewise. Hotel Europe is slightly less expensive, so I will contact them; but it doesn't have the appeal of Mirande (doesn't seem to have the "freshness" of Mirande).
If I don't find some way to get a transfer from Monte Carlo to Avignon, this whole dream of re-visiting Provence is going to dissolve anyway. I so miss the days when we were able to travel on the cheap and fancy free!
Thanks again.

Cathinjoetown

What kind of a transfer do you need? You can take the train from Monte Carlo to Aix or Avignon.

Sorry if I steered you wrong on Villa Gallici, thought I read that prices started at 230€. If you are going off season, hotels like this and the Mirande often have special offers so I would keep checking and would contact them directly.

poss

Thanks for coming back. We're hoping to be able to visit Provence for 5-6 days post-cruise. We disembark on August 6, 2012 in Monte Carlo. We're "seniors" and will have several pieces of luggage. No longer able to do trains (with luggage) or self-drive (alas). So will need to find some way to get from Monaco to Avignon. Ah, I do miss the days of yesteryear when we were able to travel so much more easily.
Thanks so much for help.

Cathinjoetown

Wish I had some suggestions, a remote option, maybe someone on the cruise is driving over to Aix or Avignon and would drive you over for shared costs? Not sure how you would hook up, maybe cruise line could help?

Have you been to Nice? The cost of a car service to there would be relatively reasonable from Monte Carlo. La Pelouse is a nice hotel on edge of the old town.

From Nice there are day tours or trains or buses up to the hill towns or along the coast to Antibes, Cannes, etc.

Private transfers to Aix or Avignon are going to be costly. Gone are the days when you could count on porters at train stations!