Les Hautes Roches

A former monastery carved into the limestone cliffs above the Loire, now a hotel where guests sleep in the monks' old cells, built directly into the rock face. Low-lit cave passages connect the rooms, which run from Scandinavian-spare to scarlet carpets and bold botanicals. Natural light is scarce, but the stone-lined bathrooms and river views more than fill the gap. Landscaped gardens lead down to a pool on the riverfront.