Arles: Hôtel de l'Amphitheatre (2 Star Hotel)

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Address: 5/7 rue diderot , Arles 13200, France
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Lonely Planet review

Arles has an amazing Roman heritage, as evident in its gladiatorial amphitheatre, where chariot races took place, and where bullfights are the big crowd-pullers today. By comparison, its age makes its sprawling 17th-century-namesake-hotel a few footsteps away a relative youngster.

Deep crimson decor dresses up the steadfast, solid bones of this 1600s-built structure with contemporary flair. The beautiful, high-ceilinged ground floor flows to a series of common areas, with intimate alcoves graced with elegant chairs, and an internet nook with an online computer (though there's no wi-fi or broadband access for laptops). You can breakfast beneath the salon's slide-projected clock's shadowed hands, in the high-walled, red-painted courtyard, or, if you'd rather stay snuggled in bed, in your room. One room's fully equipped for wheelchairs; and an imperial staircase leads up to the rest of the hotel's 28 guest rooms, which have telephones, TVs and air-con. Nearby public parking's available for a small daily charge, and pets stay for free.