Located near Perpignan, in south-west France, La Villa Duflot is a peaceful hotel set within a secluded garden. The hotel features rooms with terraces and balconies that overlook an outdoor swimming pool and bar.
The interior decor of this 4-star hotel is Mediterranean in style, with elegant art deco furnishings. The atmosphere is bright, warm, and uplifting.
The spacious and well-lit lobby of the hotel is adorned with sand-wood floors, ocher-colored walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The vintage walnut furniture and soft beige armchairs create a beautiful contrast. Exotic palm trees in intricately-designed gold pots and an interior garden with olive and orange trees and a marble fountain add a touch of charm.
The lobby provides ample seating for guests, and there is also a second-floor balcony with wrought-iron railing that offers a view of the surroundings. In one corner of the ground floor, there is a cozy library with comfortable navy blue and brown leather armchairs and a lacquered table. The library is stocked with a variety of books, including classics by Shakespeare, Camus, and Baudelaire, photography books, and a complete set of travel magazines. French newspapers and The New York Times are also available for guests to read.
We stayed in one of the 29 executive rooms on the ground floor. Our room had a small terrace with seating, overlooking the swimming pool and garden. It was well-equipped with amenities such as a flat-screen TV, minibar, refrigerator, and espresso maker. A highlight was the large bathtub, separate from the shower, which could be enjoyed as a jacuzzi with button-operated lighting effects and adjustable water jets.
The hotel’s restaurant is a must-visit, offering an impressive menu that includes dishes like blue lobster from Brittany and fois gras with candied pear and chili as starters, and lamb rack, goose breast, and assorted fish dishes as main courses.
The restaurant is bathed in natural light with views of the swimming pool and the tall umbrella pines in the garden. The chef, Mickael Meunier, creates a classical French ambience with immaculate white tablecloths, sparkling cutlery, and an attractive table centerpiece of acorns and berries.
One of the starters we tried was the blue lobster, which was elegantly presented with slices of meat arranged in a checker-board pattern, served with avocado, thyme ice-cream, raspberry mousse, and guacamole topped with roasted avocado.
After indulging in red meat during the previous week, we opted for healthier seafood options. I chose the turbot, a generous slice of soft white fish marinated with turmeric and sake mushroom, lightly pan-fried, and topped with mango caviar and celeriac puree. My companion had the maigre (stone bass), a light fillet served with roasted potatoes and a sauce combining bouillabaisse stew and Catalan sausage. The dish was enhanced with saffron threads grown on the nearby Canigou mountain.
It’s worth saving room for the cheese plate and desserts. The cheese selection includes fresh and aged varieties, served with red pepper marmalade. Our lunch was served by the friendly and knowledgeable Emma Ferrano. We decided to accompany each course with wine tastings selected by sommelier Christian Lopez. The wines included a 2020 Silex from Domaine Terres Plurielles in Tautavel and an Impromptu from Domaine de la Meunerie south of Perpignan.
For the cheese, Christian selected a unique white wine from 2015, similar to sherry, from Domaine Du Bac in Vingrau.
As a delightful finale, we highly recommend trying the Varlhoha chocolate with truffle and bitters. It’s so delicious that you’ll be tempted to lick your plate.
Another option for relaxation at La Villa Duflot is their spa. The spa operates under the Nuxe brand and offers various treatments. During my visit, I enjoyed a short massage given by therapist Roman, which helped alleviate pain in my hip and leg. I also spent time in the sauna and hammam.
It’s also worth mentioning the friendly and affable general manager, Philip Chabroulin. With extensive experience in hotel management in both Europe and the US, including premier hotels in the Relais & Chateaux association, Philip has created a welcoming and efficient staff at La Villa Duflot. The hotel has been owned by Amelie and Emmanuel Stern for the past ten years.
While the hotel is nestled in a tranquil 1.5-hectare parkland in the Pyrénées-Orientales region, it is conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown Perpignan and a 45-minute drive from the Spanish border.
