Mas de Lafeuillade Hotel Review, Montpellier, France

Chef José de Castro cooked all around the world before settling at Mas de Lafeuillade, but his cuisine bears very few references of his travels. Instead, he likes to keep it simple, and the menu is an ever-changing selection of hearty bistro-style fare, depending on what the chef has managed to pick up that week.

Expect traditional French dishes such as duck terrine, beef filet with confit onions, and baba au rhum to satisfy your sweet tooth, as well as slightly more unusual creations such as zander fish with sweet potato, ginger, and pear. All food is sourced locally (the fruit and vegetables can be picked up less than a 30-minutes away by car) and there is a strong emphasis on organic and seasonal produce. It’s excellent value for money, with two courses priced at €30 (£27) and three courses set at €35 (£30).

The small breakfast buffet is simply wonderful, and absolute proof that less is sometimes more. You’ll find a rustic-looking cake fresh out of the kitchen, delectable homemade jams, and even homemade yogurt. On request, there are also organic eggs (the scrambled are whipped to perfection), cheese, and charcuterie. All fruit is organic and the bread is wood fired by a small local shop.