Secret Med

The location is perfect for isolation and for those who like to walk nearby to pick up their bread, cheese and fine cuts of meat from the boulangerie or for people who don't really want to do very much and just be pampered and let it all out of their system. For the more adventurous however, don't for a second think there is not much to do.

Aside from walking in the hills you could go canoeing down the Orb River, play golf at Lamalou-Les-Bains which is only five minutes away or visit one of the nearby cities, towns and villages. Béziers and Montpellier are both lovely cities with museums, theatres, cinemas, restaurants and a buzzing night-life.

Nearby are smaller treasures - Pézenas with its sprawling market filled with antiques, enormous oysters, clothes, bags, nick nacks and lovely little restaurants and Villeneuvette, another charming tiny village which boasts a rich history.

One continuous theme that exists whether in the larger towns, small villages or back in the hotel the food in the region cannot fail to surprise. Many of the restaurants don't look like much from the outside, or from the inside for that matter, but they serve up the kind of food that would make London's top chefs weep.

The sea is 45 minutes away and there is a beautiful beach between Marseillan and Sete as well as a busy but beautiful beach near La Grands Motte – well worth it if sand and sea and again great food are your thing. Effet Mer at Le Grand Travers, which is open from May to September offers a gourmet buffet meal where you can fill your plate with mouthwatering soft cod, prawns and tuna steaks,grilled vegetables, pasta, beef and then finish with another plate of chocolate mouse, lemon meringue and a spectacular and rich crème brulee and eat it either in the restaurant or lying on a lounger about two metres from the sea.

Although a wonderful summer break, I imagine Le Couvent would be a lovely place to stay in the mild winter. The underground bar in the hotel resembles a grotto that would be nice and toasty in the winter months and as well as being under an hour from the beach you're also very close to the ski resorts in the Pyrenees mountains.