Boutique Hotel Cézanne

The Hotel Cezanne is situated in a pleasant five-story, white stucco building with a gently curved facade and cornice detailing. The open-format lobby includes a lounge area, a reception desk, a well-stocked honesty bar, and a colorful breakfast room. The lounge area sits in a roomy alcove with large windows, terra-cotta tile floors, purple walls, and a fireplace. Here, modern and traditional pieces come together for a stylish look. There are upholstered armchairs in brown, gray, and tweed, and a modern square couch in white. The walls are festooned with bright pieces of modern art while copper accents -- a side table, a large lamp -- add flair. The breakfast room is also stylish, with a wood floor, purple-and-red dining chairs, and red-and-white walls with coordinating modern art. The bright colors manage to feel trendy and sophisticated rather than overdone or garish. The hotel is popular with leisure travelers -- its boutique atmosphere is geared to couples, but three-person suites make this a good choice for small families, too. 

The hotel is conveniently located on a pleasant street within a five-minute walk of Old Town and Cours Mirabeau, a long pedestrian boulevard known for its shops, cafes, fountains, and plane trees. It's about a 10-minute walk to Le Musée Granet, which includes works by Francois Granet, Cezanne, Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Van Gogh, and others. Other sights in walking distance include Saint Jean de Malte (11 minutes), the Aix-en-Provence Festival (14 minutes), Aix Cathedral (15 minutes), and Bastide du Jas de Bouffan (22 minutes or a six-minute drive).

The Gare Aix-en-Provence train station is a one-minute walk from the hotel, but guests should note that high-speed TGV trains that go to major national and international cities leave from a different station, Gare d'Aix-en-Provence TGV, about a 20-minute drive from the city center. The Gare Routiere bus station is an eight-minute walk from the hotel, and offers regularly scheduled trips to Marseilles and Avignon. Marseille Provence Airport is about 25-minute drive without traffic. Parking is available on-site, but it costs an extra fee. 

Hotel Cezanne's 55 rooms and suites are individually decorated, but throughout the decor is subdued and contemporary. Junior Suites have tan carpets paired with white walls and rose-colored upholstery. Extra details here make the difference, such as the soft shag carpets aligning both sides of the beds, modern white pendant lights, velvety brown armchairs and ottomans, and white molded Eames-style chairs at the desks. Classic Rooms might have brown-and-tan striped wallpaper, orange fabric accents, and traditional upholstered chairs. Bathrooms are modern with neutral brown-and-white tiling, square sinks, and walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. Suite bathrooms are spacious, and all suites include separate showers and tubs.

Most rooms have open wardrobes for storage, but entry-level rooms can be small. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, iPhone docks, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Minibars are stocked with free nonalcoholic drinks like soda and water. While there are no in-room coffeemakers, Nespresso machines are available on each floor. Bathrooms include hairdryers and individual toiletries. Suites add bathrobes and slippers. Irons and ironing boards are available on request.

Classic and Deluxe Rooms are about 200 to 250 square feet, Junior Suites, about 250 to 350 square feet, and Suites, about 450 square feet. Suites include convertible sofa beds and can accommodate up to three guests. Note that the elevator doesn't reach rooms on the top fifth floor. 

The hotel's appeal lies in its boutique ambience, rather than in a slew of extra features. There is a high-quality breakfast buffet, including specialty selections like eggs Benedict or waffles with whipped cream, and it's served in a chic, bright room, or on the stylish courtyard terrace, weather permitting. But it's not included in the room rate, and guests complain that it's a bit pricey. 

There's a fitness area, but it's tiny and equipment is limited to an elliptical machine, a treadmill, and a stationary bike. Massages are available in a small treatment room. A business corner has several computers with large, wall-mounted screens as well as printers available for guests' use. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. 

The front desk is open 24 hours, and the staff will help with recommendations and transportation, and can arrange childcare or laundry service. Cribs are available upon request. On-site parking is available for a fee. Dogs are welcome at no extra fee.