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Last summer, my BFF and I hit the South of France together for a once-in-a-lifetime stay at Château l’Hospitalet, a five-star hotel in Narbonne, France, during its annual Jazz Festival. Our four days at the iconic estate consisted of wine, wine tastings, a wine festival, and (unsurprisingly) some wine headaches. But hear me out: I would absolutely grunt through double the hangovers just to have a few more hours at this property, dancing under the disco-ball-lined treetops to live music all night long. It’s gonna be pretty damn hard to top our experience.

Every moment at Château l’Hospitalet was epic—from the vibrant energy of the Jazz Festival to the breathtaking views of the vineyards and incredible people we met from all over the world. Our stay was a non-stop celebration, and by the time it was over, we still weren’t ready to leave. If you want a little taste of what we experienced, keep reading. I’m giving you a full review of the hotel and all the best things to do while you’re there, below.

THE QUICK HITS: CHÂTEAU L’HOSPITALET EDITION

• Location: Narbonne, France

• Cost Per Night: Starting at $435 per night

• Best For: Pals, partners, party-goers, and music/wine/dance lovers

• While You’re Here, Visit: Clos du Temple, a breathtaking vineyard that produces the world’s most expensive rosé

• One-Word Vibe Check: Epic

• Most Iconic Photo Spot: On the edge of the pool, overlooking the rolling vineyards

BOOK A STAY

THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS

After driving up the windy European roads, with vineyards extending as far as my eyes could see on either side, we reached the top of the hill where the charming Château l’Hospitalet hotel is perched. Immediately greeted by busy staff members preparing for night two of the hotel’s 21st annual Jazz Festival, my friend and I gave each other a look, knowing that we were about to have a pretty incredible next few days.

We walked into the lobby and were handed glasses of award-winning rosé made by Gérard Bertrand, the winemaker who owns the hotel (he’s honestly a local celeb). From there, our bags were delivered to our room while we got a chance to explore the estate—complete with lush gardens, storybook views, and tranquil pools—before we got ready for the evening.

THE JAZZ FESTIVAL

For five nights in July, the hotel turns into a giant concert venue, bringing in people from around the world to watch top jazz artists perform. Guests can purchase tickets to attend whichever portion of the event they’d like (for example, you can go to a dinner, concert, or after-party), which makes it a great festival for all ages.

We got to try out one of the Gala dinners, with an incredible menu curated by the hotel’s chef and equally great wine pairings. Then, as the sun set after dinner, we made our way to the courtyard, where a giant stage was set up, and watched the singers. My favorite part? Every night has a different color theme, which makes everything look even more magical.

THE ROOMS

The property is comprised of 41 rooms spread across the main property (the Château) and several private villas, with a pool overlooking the vineyards. We stayed on the second floor of the Château, in a luxurious two-story room with a comfy bed and a direct view of the main stage. The top level also had a dedicated loft area with a giant (giant!) jacuzzi prepped with everything you might need for a late-night, post-party relax session, like bubbles, jets, and wine.

THE AMENITIES

While the rooms are fabulous to unwind in, the estate was so beautiful that all we wanted to do was spend our time outdoors. During the days, when we weren’t at the private beach club, l’Hospitalet Beach, my friend and I switched off between the main pool and the private pool at La Villa Soleilla, conveniently located next to Spa Soleilla. That’s also where I got the most relaxing facial massage I’ve ever had, using products from my favorite French beauty brand, Biologique Recherche. (Case in point: I fell asleep mid-massage and woke up to glowing skin.) Though we didn’t have time to use it, the property also has a great tennis court.

THE FOOD & BEV

As I mentioned, this wasn’t a typical weekend at Château l’Hospitalet, so we ate all of our dinners outside at the Jazz Festival. That said, all meals were created by the hotel’s head chef, Chef Laurent Chabert, at the on-site restaurant, L’Art de Vivre. Each course at the eatery is intended to pair perfectly with Gérard Bertrand’s wines, and I must say the sommeliers and chefs succeeded. The dishes consisted mostly of seafood, cheeses, and local vegetables—all of which were so incredibly fresh.

THE BOTTOM LINE

I’m not exaggerating when I say that my visit to Château l’Hospitalet was one of the top trips I’ve ever taken (and I travel a lot for work!). Though my friend and I are in our twenties and spent the majority of the time partying it up, I think the Jazz Festival would be an incredible experience for people of all ages.

If you’re looking for a summer event with fun themes, great company, and even better food and bev, I highly recommend visiting the hotel during the festival, in July. But if you’re looking for a true R&R-type vacay, take advantage of the off-season or a casual summer weekend.

If it isn’t obvious, I will be making my return in the future—I haven’t had enough of Château l’Hospitalet just yet.

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