Ring 'round le Mistral
by davequI recommend this hotel for 4 reasons:
- It's historic character;
- the location right on the Forum overlooking Cafe van Gogh;
- the food (Brasserie du Nord-Pinus ) and most of all,
- for the wonderful and extremely helpful lady who resides just to the right of the lobby as the concierge.
If you speak a little polite French to her, she is so kind, helpful, knowledgeable and professional (at least she was to me), she alone makes staying at Nord-Pinus worth it.
A standard room in 2008 is now about 160 Euros (superiore ~ 230 EU), and about 17 Euros / day to park a car in the garage.
As a special treat, for between 300 and 400 Euros/night they have a unique "bullfighter" suite/apartment. Many bullfighters and artists (Picasso) have stayed here.
See above. A quick story:
One evening, having a tough time picking out a good, non touristy restaurant near the forum I stopped in to speak with her (the concierge @ Hotel Nord-Pinus) and asked her opinion.
Even though I was not staying there at the time, she acknowledged and helped me with my poor french, offered her suggestions, and when she saw I was confused by her directions, she left the desk and took me BY THE ARM directly (about 5 streets total) to her 2 favorite restaurants (they were both excellent).
I am going to pay extra for a terrace room @ Nord Pinus next time I return to Arles, just because of her.
Madame, vous êtes tres aimable, et gentile! Nord-Pinus is privileged to have her working there.
Parking note: If you drove to Arles, driving your car in&out of the old city & parking can be an adventure.
ps... Check out the fotos all over the hotel of guests that have stayed there... especially the Helmut Newton bw nude of Charlotte Rampling taken in the Nord Pinus Grey Room.... woof..
