Boutique Hotels to Book in Saint-Tropez That Are Worth a Stay

An indoor-outdoor vibe pervades at Sezz Saint-Tropez, where huge bifold doors let you step from your creamy crescent sofa straight into the shimmering blue of your own private pool. The riviera sunshine pours in over neat “floating” beds – the whole place has a rather contemporary, minimalist look – and, in the spa, outdoor loungers let you work on your tan post-treatment. The Michelin-star restaurant, too, comes with generous amounts of outdoor seating, so you can feast on roasted langoustines under the stars.

For avid shoppers, this is a dangerous location: steps from St-Tropez’s central boutique cluster, featuring a parade of Gucci, Dior, Vuitton and Armani. Then again, you wouldn’t expect anything less of such a stylish hotel. Set in a pretty marigold-coloured building with just 12 rooms, it has an intimate vibe, so you’re never fighting to snag loungers by the pool or al fresco seats at the Italian restaurant, Dolceva. Beach life is an essential part of a St-Tropez stay, and this place has its own private stretch of sand, Jardin Tropézina.

If you’re going to do Saint-Tropez right, you really need to indulge – and that means a spa day. This stay on the outskirts of St-Tropez comes with all you need for pampering, from muscle-melting massages to a Himalayan salt chamber, herbal tea room and saunas. A magnificent 15m (50ft) outdoor swimming pool, glittering under the sun, joins an adults-only “zen area” with a hot tub, too. Rooms? Expect light and airy tones, with private terraces and, in some cases, your own private hot tub.

Perched high above the city, St-Tropez’s citadel has views across the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. And, right nearby, so does Le Yaca. This restaurant with rooms channels old-world glamour with its monochrome checked floors, an intimate bar and wood-panelled walls. Dinner is, obviously, a must, and you’re advised to plump for the decadently cheesy pasta, flamed in a giant Parmesan wheel, or the black angus beef tagliata. On balmy summer evenings, ask for a table outside.

You’ll be in the thick of the action when you book in here, because neither the port, nor the shops and restaurants of downtown, are more than a stroll away. Saying that, as soon as you step into La Ponche, you’ll get a meditative vibe. Chill out in junior suites with sea views, over sun-soaked breakfasts on the terrace, or with aperitifs in the moody bar. A homelier pad than some of St-Tropez’s glitzier properties means morning yoga on the pontoon and a concise but excellent massage menu.

With its laid-back personality, staying La Bastide feels almost like a sleepover at friend’s house (albeit an excessively wealthy one). The marshmallow-pink building opens up into a lovely communal pool, lined with parasols, where gourmet barbecue lunches are served up and morning coffees are sipped. The restaurant, as with all Relais & Châteaux properties, is a highlight, so settle in for platefuls of seafood-stuffed pasta or creamy tiramisu, before bedding down in classically luxurious rooms or apartments.

Should you crave a budget-blowing stay right by the sea, then book yourself into Cheval Blanc St-Tropez. Rooms are a vision in white, with dramatic blue headboards, metallics, and – best of all – terraces looking out to yachts bobbing beyond. Crafted dinners are dished up in view of the water, too, while an infinity pool butts right up against the waves (and the hotel’s own private beach). The only thing not sea-facing? The exceptional Guerlain spa, complete with hammam.