Where are we?
Tucked away in the tiny village of Roubia, France. Just to give you an idea: from Paris, it’s an eight-hour drive south, down to the very bottom of l’Hexagone.
Villa Roubia is a former family home turned intimate eight-room hotel and spa. The village, with just over 500 inhabitants, sits alongside the Canal du Midi, between Narbonne and Carcassonne.
We were fortunate to be among the villa’s first guests. With hardly any other visitors at the time, we had much of the property to ourselves and the opportunity to spend time with its owner, Lucy.
Originally from England, Lucy has lived in the region for over twenty years. After a career managing some of the area’s five-star hotels, she felt drawn to creating a place of her own. Following a long search for the ideal property, she eventually turned to her family home, transforming it into the hotel it is today.
The Rooms & Design
Much of the restoration has been a deeply personal, hands-on undertaking for Lucy and her family.
The eight spacious rooms are spread across two floors, each with a different character. First-floor rooms retain more of the property’s historic charm, with original fireplaces, decorative tiled floors and generous proportions. Upstairs, the interiors are more minimal and contemporary, with exposed wooden beams lending the rooms an attic-like charm. Features vary from room to room: one has a freestanding bathtub, others generous double showers, while an accessible room has been designed for guests with reduced mobility.
Downstairs, a communal living room with a fireplace offers somewhere to settle in. Lucy is still fine-tuning some of the interior details, and while the space could benefit from a little more warmth and character, we could easily imagine returning in winter, settling into an armchair with a book before an afternoon in the spa.
Outside, the 20-metre swimming pool is surrounded by a spacious garden, with comfortable loungers and plenty of room to spend the day being wonderfully lazy.
Culinary
Early nights come easily at Roubia, and breakfast is something to look forward to. There is Greek yoghurt, muesli, homemade granola, fresh fruit, local honey and homemade cakes, alongside eggs prepared to order- all enjoyed in the garden, or in the living room on cooler days.
A small organic garden is still taking shape on the grounds, bringing what grows outside directly to the table. During our stay, the front-of-house team prepared lunch on the spot: generous salads, local cheeses and fresh greens and vegetables from the garden. Dinner can also be arranged, accompanied by wines from the surrounding region.
For a change of scenery, the village’s wonderfully unpretentious pub-restaurant serves mainly pizzas and burgers. Our evening there offered an amusing contrast to the refinement of the villa, and a glimpse into local life.
The Spa
Perhaps the property’s most distinctive feature is its spa, sensitively constructed within the estate’s former wine vats and cellars. The old structures have been repurposed into intimate wellness spaces, their raw materials creating a warm atmosphere that feels private.
That intimacy is part of the appeal. We enjoyed a massage followed by time in the sauna and plunge pool, with little desire to hurry anywhere afterwards.
The Experience
Whilst the property is still finding a bit its feet and character, what stayed with us most was the genuine care behind it all. Lucy is very much a hands-on host, and her enthusiasm for the project is infectious.
Service has a personal concierge feel, with a WhatsApp contact for anything guests might need, from organising an excursion to arranging a meal or spa treatment. The atmosphere is informal and personal, like staying at a friend’s country house with the comforts of a luxury property.
Surroundings
There’s plenty to draw you out of Villa Roubia, even if you only venture as far as the Canal du Midi for a walk beneath the trees. This is wine and olive country, with small producers to visit and villages such as Ventenac-en-Minervois to wander through without much of a plan. In Roubia itself, Moulin de la Restanque offers a taste of the local olive oils.
For a day out, Narbonne’s covered market is a good place to start before exploring the old town. Farther afield, there’s Carcassonne and the beautiful Abbaye de Fontfroide.
Getting There
Villa Roubia is around 30 minutes from Narbonne by car, with Montpellier an option for arrivals by air. We arrived from Marseille, where we had been staying at Villa Medjé, taking a train to Narbonne – a journey of around two and a half to three hours. A car is useful for exploring the region, though the hotel can also arrange transfers.
Who Is It For?
Couples, solo travellers and anyone seeking a peaceful countryside retreat, particularly those interested in nature, cycling, wine and exploring the region at their own pace.
Rates
Doubles from 210 euros per night.
Bookings & Contact
Villa Roubia Hôtel & Spa
2 Rue Fontaine d’Agnès
11200 Roubia, Occitanie
France
