The hotel, constructed from grey and beige tones, is serene and a touch chic, placing it outside the 'budget' category. However, that does make it a delightful family hotel where you are thoroughly pampered after a long drive – worth something too, isn't it?

On the rue de la Porte Brunet, in the walled upper town of Saint-Émilion, stands the village's former 12th-century commandery. It is the highest inhabited building in the town; from the rooms, you look out over the French gardens of Château Canon and the vineyards beyond. The hotel has its own staircase: a narrow pedestrian passage that leads directly inside. An impressive feast even before you enter.

The owner of the hotel is Benoît Trocard. That probably doesn't ring a bell, but the man is a fifteenth-generation winemaker of a family that has been located on the right bank of Bordeaux since 1620. The family vineyards cover about ninety hectares spread across five appellations, including Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Pomerol, and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. Trocard made his first harvest in the Yarra Valley in Australia before he returned. Ha!

The rooms and suites are furnished with linen, light wood, and shades of gray and beige, with furniture by French, Italian, and Scandinavian designers. Everything is air-conditioned, and some rooms have a balcony.

One small thing though: there is no restaurant and no swimming pool… We know, that could easily be a dealbreaker. But hey, there is a wine bar serving Bordeaux and champagne with small regional dishes, and Trocard cooks for guests themselves upon request. And the village is within walking distance. Breakfast costs €35 per person and is not included, but a shuttle service to and from the vineyards and the village is. Hôtel Porte Brunet, Saint-Emilion