Dinogo Readers' Top 5 Resorts in France for 2023

Stretching from the sandy shores of Normandy to the sun-soaked Cap d’Antibes, France is home to 18 regions, each with over 200 native grape varieties, 246 kinds of cheese (as President Charles de Gaulle famously claimed, despite some debate), and around 200,000 square miles of unparalleled terroir. As Americans flock back to Europe this summer, the enchanting resorts of France are sure to attract significant attention. It’s only fitting that we consult Dinogo readers to discover their top hotel picks in France for our upcoming vacances.

How the Voting Process Works

Each year, for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their travel experiences globally — expressing their views on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. In 2023, nearly 165,000 T+L readers participated in the survey, marking a nearly 25 percent increase from pre-pandemic voting levels. Over 685,000 votes were cast across more than 8,500 unique establishments (including hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, or safari lodges based on their location and offerings, and they were evaluated based on the following criteria:

Accommodations/amenities
Proximity
Customer service
Culinary offerings
Overall value

For each aspect, participants could rate it as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final ratings reflect the average of these responses.

What Readers Adored

This year, readers favored the northern region over the south. They praised Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa (No. 3), last year’s runner-up: the Biologique Recherche spa treatments and exquisite dining at La Bellevue restaurant kept this Leading Hotels of the World property in high regard. Rising one position from last year is the Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace (No. 4). Voter feedback was filled with superlatives, with one admirer declaring it “exceptional,” while another said it was “awesome.” Sometimes, a single word suffices to convey outstanding service, 15 splendid suites, a Guerlain Spa, and beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding a castle hotel.

However, for this year’s top hotel, we head south to Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, also known as the Région Sud. The breathtaking Hôtel Crillon Le Brave in Provence takes the crown, displacing last year's top choice, Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa. Read on to discover why readers named it the No. 1 resort hotel in France for 2023.

The Champion

Hôtel Crillon Le Brave

Image courtesy of Hôtel Crillon le Brave

Tucked away in Provence, Hôtel Crillon Le Brave is so breathtaking that a single image reveals why it achieved a remarkable score of 96.84 in this year’s T+L reader survey. “The place is exceptional,” one admirer exclaimed. “Truly unique.” This voter also praised the “delectable cuisine from a gifted chef” — namely Adrien Brunet, who hails from the Loire Valley and previously worked at the Saint James Paris. The restaurants, La Madeleine and La Table du Ventoux, offer innovative Provençal dishes, including exquisite grilled fish, foie gras, and other simple yet elusive French country recipes. (Can you almost smell the fresh thyme?) This year, the latter restaurant will open for leisurely lunches with views over lavender-laden rolling hills. “Best view ever,” promised another guest. Be sure to visit the bar, located in the oldest maison on the property, where you can savor a fragrant cocktail garnished with fresh fruit before dinner or enjoy a cigar afterward.