Chateau de Palaja

Set in a beautifully rustic 18th-century building, the hotel sounds a lot more formal than it actually is. The family-run property is unpretentious and welcoming, and the Remy family has renovated it over a couple of years to combine its historic architecture (a gorgeous stone staircase and walls, for example) with modern furnishings and a gray-and-purple color scheme. Given its serene setting, generous selection of local wines for sale, and large, lovely grounds, the hotel is an especially good setting for couples seeking some romantic relaxation, although family rooms are available. 

Renting a car is definitely the way to go if you're staying at this property, as there are plenty of excellent destinations in the surrounding areas, and taxis into Carcassonne proper and back can get expensive. The center of Palaja village, home to about 2,000 residents, is about an 11-minute walk away and offers a few restaurants. For more options, Carcassonne's medieval city is about 10 to 15 minutes away by car and offers plenty of dining options, along with a gorgeous 13th-century Gothic cathedral.

Lac de la Cavayere -- an excellent day out for families -- is 12 minutes away by car and offers zip-lining, a water park full of inflatables, swimming, miniature golf, and other water sports. Canal du Midi, a massive engineering works dating to the 17th century, is about 15 minutes away by car, and the Mediterranean beach is about an hour away. 

Each of the hotel's 12 rooms and suites are individually decorated, spacious, and comfortable, with pops of jewel tones against grays and whites. The bedding, consisting of linen sheets and feather pillows, is an especially nice touch, and rooms are generally quiet. Modern bathrooms carry on the decor scheme and are typically outfitted with separate water closets. Suites and higher-category rooms have tubs, while standard rooms have excellent rainfall showers. All come with hairdryers and toiletries. 

Rooms all have air-conditioning, a minibar, safe, and a flat-screen HD TV. Somewhat surprisingly, given the large number of English guests, there aren't many English-language channels.  

Features here are excellent and geared toward relaxation. The hotel has a private collection of more than 1,000 French comic books and graphic novels, which guests can have a gander at in a library outfitted with a fireplace. There's also a small, unheated outdoor swimming pool with a few loungers scattered around it, which is secluded among the hotel's gorgeous, well-maintained grounds. It's in those gardens that guests can also find typical French touches (a pentanque court), as well as quirkier ones (a chicken coop). 

More vigorous exercise options can be had in the gym, though it's sparsely outfitted with a stationary bike, rowing machine, and step machine. The property also has a few other touches that go above and beyond its pearl rating: a sauna and rarely used treatment room, where guests can book a massage, round out the offerings. 

A buffet breakfast with lots of delicious homemade treats is available for a separate charge, and indulging in the homemade brioche and jam in the tree-lined garden is a treat. Guests can get coffee for free throughout the day from a machine in the simple breakfast room. There's also an independently owned restaurant a two-minute walk away in what used to be the chateau's stables. It offers genuinely excellent traditional French cooking at reasonable prix-fixe or a la carte prices, but book in advance to make sure you get a table. 

Bicycles are available to rent on-site for a reasonable daily rate. On-site parking and (fast) Wi-Fi are free.