Instants d'Absolu Ecolodge

Rooms

The 12 rooms are all unique, but unified by their eco-chic design. Bedside tables are hewn from tree trunks, lamp bases woven from assorted stones, and walls are monastically bare but for a mural sketched on abaca bark, or a salvaged pair of cow horns.

Beds can be made up as doubles or twins, topped with alpaca plaid blankets and faux-fur cushions. Wooden floors are warmed by virgin-wool rugs while vintage leather trunks act as storage. There are fabulous views out of (small) windows - the lake, the pine forest or a distant volcano summit - and you can even smell the outdoors: diffuser scents of pine and fir trees are very subtly dotted around. In keeping with the vibe, there are no TVs, or WiFi; just a kettle for making early-morning tea. And instead of traffic noise, you fall asleep to a wild chorus of frogs croaking and stags belling; bliss.

Bathrooms come with splashbacks of smooth black river stones, and mirrors framed with raffia. There are organic cotton bathrobes and hammam foutas (towels) for the spa, plus fragrant Verbena toiletries in the showers.

If you're here for a few days, the Suites have a separate lounge and library area; ideal if you like to relax in-room. There's not much difference between the other rooms types: you pay a bit more for more floor space and a better view.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• WiFi

Eating

All who've stayed say the food is excellent: of a gourmet standard, and deliciously fresh. Meals are in harmony with the seasons, daily changing dinner menus harness home-grown ingredients and local produce from the garden and greenhouse. Perhaps candied sweet and sour beetroot with roasted beetroot sorbet, a crumble of nuts and a green apple jelly; remoulade of crab with asparagus carpaccio, then cocoa shortbread atop dark chocolate mousse with pistachio ice cream.

If you're lucky, Daniel may take you up to the Grill Chalet one evening – a little Finnish-style hut with exquisite views, where he barbecues up local beef ribs and organic potatoes. Dessert might be a wild-berry pie.

For lunch, there's a daily-changing set menu (served at 1pm only) or you can request a picnic basket.

If you book a B&B rate, you'll either need to drive out to dinner - for example the simple but stunningly set Restaurant du Lac Sauvage (15 mins), or an auberge near Dienne (30 mins); or alternatively you can dine at the hotel, but you'll need to give advance notice.

Features include:

• Bar
• Organic produce
• Restaurant

Activities

• Relax in the spa cabin. There's a thoughtful range of rebalancing massages and holistic treatments, all done using organic oils
  
• Release your toxins through 30 minutes in the sauna (dry heat) or steam bath (the steam water is enriched with rosemary or wild carrot). Then bubble in the alfresco Japanese bathtub complete with underwater music and chromotherapy (lights), and gaze over the lake
  
• Try Thala-source: a volcanic-clay body scrub or wrap, or face peel or face mask, followed by a bath with essential oils or olfactory shower
  
• Walk or ride horses through the Pinatelle forest - there are 6000 acres to explore, with various trails to follow. Move quietly and you may see wild deer
  
• There's incredible bird watching; the area is a migratory corridor for many species, including swallows and great crested grebes. Spend some time in the special hide with binoculars
  
• Hike to the small village of Chalinargues, with a picturesque church bell tower and a small workshop where craftsmen carve foxes and deer out of wood
  
• Drive up to Puy Mary, an ancient volcano, for a day's hiking up and along the magnificent summit
  
• In winter, you can go showshoeing and sledge with huskies
  
• Meditation classes or yoga lessons are available on request
  
• Day trip to some of the most beautiful medieval villages in France - Salers, Tournemire, Blesle or Lavaudieu. Or castles, including Anjony and the home-castle of Marquis de La Fayette
  
• A total lack of light pollution means night skies are incredible for stargazing

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Mountain biking
• Plantlife / flora
• Well being
• Wildlife
• Yoga

Kids

Children aged 2+ are allowed but in truth this is a place for adult relaxation. It is requested that children who stay respect the peace of the lodge, and do not run and shout, have electronic devices in communal areas, or roam around the dining room during mealtimes.

Family friendly accommodation:

An extra bed can be added to the larger rooms but it's better to sleep in 2 rooms next to each other.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The ecolodge lies in a nature reserve in Auvergne, about an hour south of Clermont Ferrand airport in central France. It is a 30-minute drive south from the A75 motorway that links Paris to Montpellier, and 3-4 hours from Lyon, Limoges, Toulouse and Montpellier.

By Air:
For international flights, fly into Clermont-Ferrand (108km). There are closer domestic airports, including Aurillac (62km), but flights are limited. The lodge offers airport transfers but we'd recommend you hire a car for ease. In winter you'll need a 4x4 with snow tires or chains.

By Train
Neussargues station is 10km from the lodge. Click here for details.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.