HÔTEL DE TOURREL | Margot Stängle

The leafy Provençal town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is synonymous with Van Gogh, who found inspiration in its light (it receives over 300 days of sunshine per year) and surrounding landscapes. Still a favorite with artists, this once-sleepy place has become quite cosmopolitan with its world-class restaurants and design shops. Emblematic of this historic-meets-modern wave is Hôtel de Tourrel. Set in a 17th-century palais in the center of the old village, the hotel and its seven spacious suites are a mid-century design odyssey. The noble de Tourrel d’Almeran family's former home, original features have been charmingly mixed in the interiors with furniture by ClassiCon designers Eileen Gray and Konstantin Grcic. The ancient building is also home to an innovative nouveau Mediterranean restaurant and private dining space. With pristine natural surroundings and an address close to 34 wine appellations and important historical sites, such as the ancient royal city Les-Baux-de-Provence and Avignon, Hôtel de Tourrel adds a new layer of luxury to the heart of an already refined and stunning Saint-Rémy.

Architect, Margot Stängle, who is also one of Hôtel de Tourrel’s owners, had the pleasurably complex task of converting the 17th-century manor into the all-suites property it now is. The decision to transform the 24 original rooms into seven spacious suites was key for Stängle and fellow owner Ralph Hüsgen, allowing them to create a new level of luxury in the picturesque town.

The pair spent extensive time researching historic techniques to restore the original manor. After having accidentally discovered stucco under peels of paint, they hired a professional team of conservators who took 13 weeks to uncover it.

Cleverly segregated from the elegant restaurant by a floor-to-ceiling wine rack, the exclusive wine boutique and bar specializes in rare wines and vintage varietals. Here, amid a long communal wooden table and simple seating, wine lovers can sample not just regional French wines but also premium offerings from Spain, Italy, and Germany.

In the restaurant, carefully designed furniture showcases the owners’ masterful touch when it comes to mid-century transformations. A combination of details, such as the choice of colors, shapes, materials, and accessories, set the right stage for the latest culinary hero in town.