In the center of Nîmes, a stone's throw from the famous Jardin de la Fontaine and the historic center of the so-called "French Rome", the prestigious French chain Maison Albar Hotels has revived L'Imperator, always considered the most iconic hotel in the city, visited throughout its history by personalities such as Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, and Ava Gardner. Completely redesigned by the Argentine architect and designer Marcelo Joulia, supported in the interior design by the Parisian studio Atelier COS, the hotel is a temple of "casual luxury", with Art Deco-style rooms and villas immersed in a large garden. The 3,770 ft² spa, equipped with a Turkish bath, jacuzzi, fitness room, outdoor and indoor pools, and even a barber, offers a sensory journey that infuses immense tranquility. Equally relaxing is the atmosphere of the rooms, where the shades of blue fabrics blend harmoniously with precious materials and contemporary furniture. In the bathrooms, the refined delicacy of light stone is counterpointed by the sparkling gold of the mirrors and the Gessi Inciso brass mixers. Photo Credit: Stefan Kraus