Château l’Hospitalet Wine Resort Beach & Spa

Allow me to introduce you to the wine resort of your dreams. Perched on the edge of the Mediterranean in Narbonne, France, there is an exquisite estate that inexplicably feels like home. A place where the pretentious facade of luxury travel has been lifted revealing strong, nurturing roots. Much like the vineyards that hug Château l’Hospitalet, guests here are truly cared for…

There’s a special energy at Château L’Hospitalet. Perhaps it stems from its geography and history (the protected massif of La Clape is an ancient link in the Pyrenees chain and was an island in Roman times) or it may be rooted in the biodynamic vineyards that surround the property… Whatever the reason, the resort is utterly calm, grounding and rejuvenating.

I felt a sense of belonging as soon as we pulled into the estate. As if waiting to receive an old friend, a staff member excitedly guided us to a lookout describing the colour of the Mediterranean in the most poetic way. I remember thinking, ‘she is undoubtedly in love with this place’…

But remarkably, she wasn’t the only one with a twinkle in her eyes. I quickly discovered that all of the staff have a genuine love for Château l’Hospitalet and the beautiful wines produced by the Gérard Bertrand family. From the front desk staff who shuttled me around the property to the cleaning and restaurant staff, everyone routinely paused work for brief moments to admire views they see daily. How refreshing! And when I asked them about their wines, conversations went beyond tasting notes and reached deep into the philosophy of biodynamic winemaking, the history of the region and family traditions. I’ve truly never seen so many people in love with their work! Their passion is palpable and is what sets this property apart from other luxury resorts…

Beyond the charismatic staff, my suite at Villa Soleilla was an absolute dream. Minimalist design and neutral tones drew my attention to what mattered most: the landscape. With large floor-to-ceiling windows, a scenic nook and a charming balcony overlooking the pool, I almost didn’t want to leave my room…

While I did have a chance to tour the other accommodations on property (between Château L’Hospitalet and Villa Soleilla there are 41 rooms in total, including 28 suites), there was a certain je ne sais quoi about mine (Suite 4). The way light entered the room, the epic sunrises and sunsets and the unobstructed view of the pool, sea and vineyard were pure magic. It was also conveniently located across Spa Soleilla…

Oh yes, this slice of heaven also has its own spa facility. Although small, you can expect quality treatments here. My facial was customized after a thorough consultation and the Biologique Recherche beauty products were both effective and luxurious.

Our evenings were spent savouring multi-course meals with beautiful wine pairings. Chef Laurent Chabert (the young and talented chef at l’Art de Vivre) introduced us to a symphony of local flavours while their award-winning Head Sommelier, Pierre-Alexis Mengual, accompanied each course with a Gérard Bertrand wine. Trust me when I say: you will get a taste of place here…

To deepen our knowledge about the wines produced on the 17 Gérard Bertrand estates, we also participated in a Masterclass lead by Pierre-Alexis Mengual. This – among other wine tourism offers at the resort – is yet another reason to visit Château L’Hospitalet. Need a few more? The estate has a tennis court, fitness room, golf putting green, jazz bar (along with their own jazz festival called Festival Jazz à l’Hospitalet), artisanal shops AND a dreamy beach club called L’Hospitalet Beach…

Guests at Château L’Hospitalet are also highly encouraged to explore the surrounding region (the concierge will take care of all the arrangements). We were guided through the medieval city of Carcassonne, the salt flats of Gruissan, the city of Narbonne and Narbonne-Plage — all of which made me fall deeper in love with Occitanie…

Le sigh. I truly hope many of you get a chance to stay at the magnificent Château L’Hospitalet. I know I’m personally counting the days to my return. A soul-nourishing experience awaits…

A huge merci to Le Groupe Gérard Bertrand and Château L’Hospitalet for inviting me on a press trip of a lifetime. As always, opinions are my very own.