Le Moulin Hotel in Lourmarin, France

99% of the time I think I can tell how a hotel is going to be in the first 10 seconds of arriving. It took me less than that to know that Le Moulin was a slam dunk.

Le Moulin is a boutique hotel operated by the well-regarded Beaumier Hotel Group, nestled in the tiny provencal town of Lourmarin.

A note on Lourmarin: This town is so quaint it is almost saccharine. The streets are sun-drenched and adorned by the local shop owners with lavender blossoms and tulips. The winding, slightly hilly streets are cobblestoned, covered in vines, and designed for sipping wine in the street, breaking french bread, and browsing local art. Just yards from Le Moulin is a stone castle from the 15th century, complete with exactly four donkey who graze in the open field surrounding the chateau. I imagine this town is exactly where Belle in Beauty in the Beast grew up, complete with singing birds and frolicking townspeople. If it wasn't so pleasant and quaint, it would almost be an irony of itself.

The entire town can be covered by foot in less than 15 minutes, so it's not a place that will take you days to explore. But the point of Lourmarin isn't to hit the pavement and explore, it's to slowly soak in the environment around you. It's a getaway designed for taking a break.

Which brings us to Le Moulin. When I booked this hotel, I was suspicious. The nightly rate was under 250 Euros. Affordability is not what the south of France is known for. But its excellent reviews made me willing to give it a shot - and I'm glad I did.

The hotel is built in an old oil mill right in the heart of Lourmarin. Both the interior and exterior of the property are designed around an ancient-feeling tan stone, which is accented with organic, relaxed, and airy decor. Akin to the Sendero Hotel in Costa Rica, you check in at the bar of the restaurant, which serves as the heart of the property. Upon check-in, the friendly staff usher you directly to the outdoor patio for a glass of sparkling wine or a strong cappuccino. There is no time to be wasted without a drink in hand!

The two dozen rooms at Le Moulin look out over a smattering of medieval thatched and stone roofs that overlap throughout Lourmarin. The rooms aren't sprawling, but that's the point. What they lack in size they make up for in comforts like windows facing the castle that you can open at night, a fresh pitcher of water refilled each afternoon by the cleaning staff, and C.E. Bigelow products in the stone shower.

If you visit in the summer months, you can make use of the pool tucked away into the back of the property. The chaise lounges and outdoor tables are perfect for reading, suntanning, or enjoying a poolside nicoise salad. The only thing to keep in mind is that there is a small school next to the property, and while you are completely hidden from view, you may hear the schoolchildren at recess.

You might eat a full meal at the hotel's restaurant, Bacheto, or just enjoy it's outdoor cobblestone patio for drinks. Hotel guests can opt into a continental breakfast for about 25 Euros in the restaurant or go lighter with just a coffee, freshly squeezed juice, and pastry for just a few Euros a person. It's a fool's errand to rank the best croissants of my life, but this would certainly be top five.

The best thing we did in Lourmarin was rent e-bikes to explore the countryside and surrounding medieval villages. Ask the front desk and they will set you up with bikes, helmets, and locks for 35 Euros a day. Read here for a guide including where to grab lunch with a view.

While the environment, ambiance, and surrounding setting of Le Moulin is straight out of a French fairy tale, the service is what pushes this hotel to what I would consider comparable to a property 2x its price. Every person working at this hotel was exceptional, from the check-in manager, to waitstaff, to the bike rental team.The best anecdote I have for this is one night we sought out a nightcap at the hotel after returning from dinner. Our bartender brought us an off-menu specialty cocktail that he had created for us, which was a gimlet of sorts with torch-fired orange slices that crystalized and candied with the heat. The next night, we were enjoying dinner along the picturesque Rue du Temple, and who sat down across from us? The same bartender and our bike rental guy, ready to enjoy a post-shift beer. They remembered us and came over to say hello. Told you it was a small town.

In life, I think we're supposed to spend much more time drinking coffee and wine in the sun. If you're looking for the perfect place to do so, go to Le Moulin.