Pet-Friendly Hotels and Apartments in Aix-en-Provence

Five 18th-century bastide-style houses set around a Provençal garden give Villa Saint-Ange the feel of a private estate, a short walk from Cours Mirabeau. Families will appreciate the heated outdoor pool and the space of the grounds, while parents can enjoy the spa. Rooms are air-conditioned, which matters in an Aix summer, and the French restaurant has a terrace. Pets are welcome, and a rating of 9.3 from more than 360 reviews shows guests leave delighted.

I would recommend Château de la Gaude to families who want a five-star château with plenty to do on site. It has an infinity swimming pool, a spa and wellness centre with a sauna, a steam room and a hammam, and a garden. Family rooms and pet-friendly options are available. The modern restaurant serves French, Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines, so mixed tastes at one table are easy to please.

A lush garden is the heart of Le Pigonnet, a five-star address in Aix-en-Provence where children have space outdoors and parents a calm setting. The seasonal outdoor pool and sun terrace are ideal for warm afternoons, and the spa and fitness room serve the adults. The family-friendly restaurant cooks French, Mediterranean and local dishes, with tables outside and a bar. Pets are welcome, Wi-Fi is free, and over 300 reviews give an excellent 9.1.

I would recommend Les Lodges Sainte-Victoire to families who want space, a pool and a spa outside Aix. The 18th-century property sits in a five-hectare park with vineyards and olive trees. It has a spa, two swimming pools and a gourmet restaurant serving local, seasonal produce. Rooms and suites are well appointed, and the hotel welcomes pets. Children can run in the park while parents use the spa.

Aquabella Hôtel & Spa is a four-star hotel set in a garden a short walk from the old town of Aix-en-Provence, and I like it for families who want calm after a day of markets and fountains. Rooms are Provençal in style, air-conditioned, with a minibar and free WiFi. Parents get free access to the spa, with sauna, hammam, hot bath, Kneipp shower and ice fountain, L'Orangerie serves Mediterranean food, and pets are welcome.

Central Aix-en-Provence is best seen on foot, and the Hotel Cardinal gives families a quiet base to come back to between walks. Rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, which helps children sleep in a lively city, and each has a private bathroom and city views. A continental breakfast is served every morning, there is a lift for pushchairs and luggage, and pets are welcome. There is no pool or play area, so plan days around the town.

I would pick Domaine Gao for families who have a car and want a pool and garden outside Aix. It sits 2 km from Les Milles village and 8 km from Aix-en-Provence centre, with an outdoor pool, a garden and a terrace. Rooms are air-conditioned, and the deluxe ones add a bath and a separate toilet. Free WiFi and on-site parking are included, and the restaurant serves fresh, seasonal ingredients. Pets are welcome.

Le Petit Cardeur rents modern apartments in a historic building in Aix-en-Provence, each with a fully equipped kitchen and a sofa bed, which lets a small family share one space and cook simple meals. Air conditioning is welcome in a Provençal summer. Pets are accepted, so the family dog can come too. From the dining area there is a view of a local landmark. It is a self-catering address without a pool or restaurant, so the town provides the outings and the cafés.

Aparthotel Adagio Aix-en-Provence Centre offers contemporary studios and apartments with a kitchen and an LCD TV, and I find the format ideal for families who want to eat in some evenings. It stands on a quiet street, a short walk from Cours Mirabeau, and has a spa and family-friendly amenities. Free WiFi is available throughout, and pets are welcome. It is a good choice for a stay of several days in the city.

Hôtel Boutique Cézanne is a design hotel in central Aix-en-Provence with 55 air-conditioned rooms, free WiFi and satellite TV, and I find its size a pleasant change from large chains. A terrace with an outdoor bar gives the family an outdoor spot for an evening drink, and the varied breakfast includes gluten-free options. The hotel is pet-friendly and suits families who want a stylish, central base.

The Renaissance gives families a full-service five-star base about ten minutes on foot from the centre of Aix. Spa access is included, so children can swim in the heated indoor pool whatever the weather, while parents use the steam room or the fitness room. Rooms are spacious, with garden or city views, and the bistro and bar save a walk back into town after a long day. Pets are accepted, and the front desk is staffed around the clock.

An outdoor pool and a garden make Hôtel Birdy by Happyculture a good fit for families who want a break from city sightseeing, a short drive from Aix-en-Provence. Family rooms are air-conditioned, and some have a balcony or private terrace. An 18-hole golf course sits next door. The restaurant serves meals from Sunday evening to Friday midday, so plan weekend dinners elsewhere; the bar is open daily. Pets are welcome.

Le Néliö is a three-star just outside the centre of Aix-en-Provence, and I like it for families who want a garden to come back to after a day in town. Rooms are air-conditioned, with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The restaurant serves French cuisine for lunch and dinner from Monday to Thursday, and breakfast is offered on weekdays. A sun terrace, a bar, a 24-hour front desk and a pet-friendly policy complete the picture.

Les Quatre Dauphins occupies a former private mansion in the historic centre of Aix-en-Provence, so a family can walk to the fountains and markets from the door. I would book it for families who travel light and value character: the Provençal rooms, some with exposed beams, have private bathrooms, satellite TV and free WiFi. Pets are welcome. Parking is public and nearby rather than on site, which is worth planning with children and luggage.

Hôtel des Augustins occupies a 12th-century convent just off the Cours Mirabeau, so families can step straight into the old town of Aix-en-Provence. The lobby, with its old stone walls, tends to impress children before they reach the room. Rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, with a TV and minibar, a real help in a Provençal summer. A continental breakfast is served, the reception is open 24 hours, and pets are welcome.

Grand Hôtel Roi René is a four-star MGallery hotel five minutes on foot from the Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence, and I recommend it to families mainly for its heated outdoor pool, open from April to September. Rooms are air-conditioned and contemporary, with a minibar, a Nespresso machine, bathrobes and L'Occitane toiletries. A sunny terrace and a fitness centre complete the facilities, and both families and pets are welcome.

Hôtel la Caravelle is a three-star hotel in the historic centre of Aix-en-Provence, a short walk from Cours Mirabeau and the Granet Museum, and I find it a convenient base for families who plan to explore on foot. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, and breakfast options are available. Pets are welcome. It is a simple, central address, so do not expect a pool or a spa.