5 Resplendent Riviera Hotels In And Around Saint-Tropez
The breezy, beautiful charms of the Cote d’Azur have been long loved by the jet set, and the glittering area around Saint-Tropez holds a particularly fabled, mythical magic. From the grand dames to the discreet and boutique, there is a wealth of exquisite hotels on this ever-flourishing stretch of the French Riviera. KATIE BERRINGTON discovers five of the best
Cheval Blanc St-Tropez
With direct access to the immaculate Bouillabaisse beach and pine-forest vistas, and just a short stroll to the famed village, Cheval Blanc is perfectly placed to take in the full spectrum of Saint-Tropez’s dazzle. The few dozen rooms and suites have a light and airy aesthetic and spectacular, postcard-worthy views – many from a spacious terrace or balcony. The hotel’s two restaurants are overseen by chef Arnaud Donckele: the pine-shaded, seafront La Terrasse, where lunches are made to be long and laid-back, and the three-Michelin-starred La Vague d’Or. Looking over the bay of Saint-Tropez, Cheval Blanc provides a majestic setting from which to appreciate the endless azure of the Riviera utopia – the beach is silk-sand splendour, while the infinity pool tantalizes guests to dive straight into the dreamy spectrum of blues.
AREV St. Tropez
A recent addition to Saint-Tropez’s hotel scene, AREV is open year-round, which is ideal for those who enjoy the quieter, cooler months of an out-of-season exploration. A mere five-minute walk from the village and its famous market, the oasis-like property prides itself on feeling more private home than hotel, where powder-blue shutters give way to fragrant floral gardens. Designed by Madrileño designer Luis Bustamante, the 50-room hotel is adorned in eye-catching blues, reds and whites in nautical-inspired stripes. The playful outdoor swimming pool (the words ‘A Rève In The Sun’ are emblazoned across the tiles) is bordered by geometric-print parasols, verdant trees, a chic pool bar and, often, the serenade of local musicians. The hotel has also resurrected a legend in the Strand Restaurant and Champagne Lounge, which formerly took residence in the oldest restaurant space in Saint-Tropez. The highlight here is the extensive champagne trolley and wine list to accompany the seasonal menus.
La Réserve
A little further afield – but still only a 15-minute drive from Saint-Tropez – Ramatuelle is a beguiling hillside village with awe-inspiring Mediterranean views from its staggering position. La Réserve is a sprawling estate in the Provençal garrigue, where guests are transported to the golden-age elegance and artistic spirit of the Côte d’Azur. Interior designer Jacques Garcia has infused a quintessentially pared-back palette of whites and neutrals, raw materials and Scandinavian-style furnishings with a captivating flourish of artworks and sculptures by bringing in a group of independent artists to adorn the walls with their own interpretations of a Provençal scene. All the accommodation is idyllic, but the villas are particularly stand-out, their terracotta roofs dotted among this alluring landscape and giving guests their own piece of paradise.
Hotel Byblos
In the heart of Saint-Tropez, Hotel Byblos brings maximalist magic to the easy elegance of the South of France. This is particularly epitomized by the hotel’s suites – a couple of new ones have been designed by color aficionado Laura Gonzalez, to which she incorporated vivid hues and prints, matching the vibrancy of the scenery through the windows. Meanwhile, the Presidential ‘Missoni Home’ Suite features the signature motifs of the Italian fashion house in effervescent Mediterranean tones. The Sisley spa is a blissful spot to relax and indulge after a day at Byblos Beach Ramatuelle. A 10-minute drive away, on the sublime Pampelonne Beach, the club mirrors the hotel’s refined seascape style across its restaurant, bar and shore-lapping sun loungers. A sublime spot for a sun-drenched lunch that seeps into the evening, the restaurant serves a fresh Mediterranean menu centered on seasonal ingredients sourced from local market gardens, farms and fisheries.
Lily of the Valley
Perched up in the stunning natural surrounds of Gassin, Lily of the Valley is a place of rejuvenation and revitalization, with a dedicated wellness ethos at its core. It has a world-class spa and several expert wellbeing programs, incorporating myriad indoor and outdoor active pursuits (hiking and mountain-biking overlooking the Plage de Gigaro – the three-mile wild beach bay – is particularly invigorating). Comfort and opportunities to unwind are also of the utmost importance here, with Philippe Starck taking design inspiration from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Provençal architecture and cool Californian villas. The rooms and suites, situated in the hotel’s ‘houses’, are generous in proportion and beautifully conceived, with large private terraces. Some also have their own chequerboard-tiled, turquoise pools and all enjoy restorative outlooks towards the Mediterranean Sea and the protected hills of the Cap Lardier estate.