Le Vieux Logis Hotel lies south of the village of Lestelle Betharram just off the quiet road that leads to the "Grottes de Betharram" where you can have a great underground experience ending with a thrilling mini-train ride to the mouth of the caves. Adult cost in August 2007 was eleven euros.

The hotel itself sits in a very peaceful country location along its own private driveway. There are some forty rooms - all quite spacious and the majority look out on the courtyard and swimming pool. Our room was clean and comfortable with a little balcony and a mini-fridge.

The hotel is family-owned and most welcoming. Being a "Logis de France" hotel it has its own restaurant which is excellent. The dinner menu of the day was mouthwateringly delicious and given the quality of the fare represented very good value for money with local cheeses and wines. The breakfast buffet was also very good.

I chose to stay at this hotel because of its proximity to Lourdes which we visited after a fifteen minute drive. I guess if you are a devout Christian you would be enamoured by this Pyreneen town but to me it was just weird with plastic holy water bottles for sale along with giant prayer candles and wheelchair congestion near the cave where St Bernadette allegedly met with Mary in the mid-nineteenth century.

I thought the Vieux Logis was a smashing, authentically French and hospitable hotel which I have no hesitation in recommending to fellow travellers. There was a well stocked bar and I enjoyed free internet access. It is one of the best three star hotels I have ever stayed in.