Ault, France
Hotel Le Cise
Cliffside woodland villas
Cliffside woodland villas
Rooms and lodges sit scattered throughout a protected cliffside forest, connected by woodland paths above the sea.
What it’s good at
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Its 21 rooms are soothingly contemporary, mixing period architecture and some antique furniture with a modern design sensibility and a restrained color palette.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Walking paths wind through the beech woods of the valley, leading past Belle Époque homes to the chalk cliffs.
The rooms
Antique furnishings sit against quiet, contemporary palettes. Selected suites look straight out across the sea.
The indoor pool
Bring a swimsuit.
A heated swimming pool sits inside Villa Émilie, sheltered beneath a sloped glass conservatory roof.
The outdoor jacuzzi
The outdoor jacuzzi is kept at 38 degrees Celsius on a timber deck looking out across the treetops.
At the table
Le Poisson à Hélices serves regional seafood from blackboard menus, opening onto a curved wooden deck over the sea.
How it began
Parisian developer Jean-Baptiste Theulot bought the former hunting woods in 1898 to build a seaside resort along the cliffs.
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.