The Best Hotels in Saint Paul de Vence

Recently renovated, this splendid establishment is right at home below the ramparts of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Mas is the southern-regional French word for a traditional farmhouse, and the DNA of this building is evident in its stern stone façade punched with shuttered windows. Within, sherbet berry colours, borrowed from the vast Mediterranean garden, enhance the rooms – see the stools in the fine bar, and the chairs in the soigné restaurant, La Table de Pierre. There’s something for everyone, young and old: heated pools and a new lagoon complete with beach, a spa and a children’s club. But do head out once in a while: take the shuttle up to Vence, or explore the nearby Riviera beaches and undulating flower-speckled countryside.

The 17 rooms in this romantic hotel are pared-down elegance personified, from the time-honoured beams splayed across the aged ceilings, to the rustic-white walls, traditional Provençal furnishings and Turkish-style rugs. A few minutes’ walk from Saint-Paul-de-Vence, it delivers spectacular views of the hills that tumble down to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea in the distance. In expansive gardens, there are leafy pergolas as well as tubs of oleander, geraniums and bougainvillea to waylay you – all that and an infinity pool and wellness area.

A perfect, unaffected guest house in the midst of the glamour-pot Côte d’Azur can be found. Le Clos 67, perched high on a hillside, with magnificent views of the surrounding region from the terrace, has four individually styled rooms, each with a private terrace. You rise for a delicious leisurely breakfast – freshly squeezed orange juice is on tap – served on the sun terrace. After a day’s wandering along the tiny cobbled streets of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a dip in the pool, followed by a glass of crisp local white, is perfection.

This brand-new five-star guesthouse, only 1km (0.5mi) from Saint-Paul-de-Vence – with five tranquil, air-conditioned bedrooms – is hugely popular among friends and family groups, who often take over the whole house. There’s not that much between the accommodations – each has a king-size bed, mini-kitchen and private terrace. Set in a lush garden, Etoile de Saint Paul also comes with a heated pool, jacuzzi, steam room and gym. Guests love the generous breakfasts served on the pool terrace; the off-street parking is an added bonus.

Take one 300-year-old traditional Provençal house, renew with polished concrete, contemporary shades of toffee, creams and taupe, fill with vibrant art and sculpture, nurture the beautiful garden and pool and you should have twigged the concept of Toile Blanche. Somewhere between a boutique hotel and a private home, this luxurious offering pulls out all the stops, with top-rate service, not too far from Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The restaurant is open in the summer months and deserves applause for its local, sustainable menu of fish, poultry and crustaceans.

This is a hotel to laze the days away in: there’s a lovely, distinctive heated pool that loops, Polo-mint-style, around a little island in a garden abundant with olive trees. Come here – as so many guests do – for chef Alain Llorca’s gastronomic bistro with its panoramic summer terrace, where you’ll dine on exquisite Provençal vegetables, seafood and ravioli. Try a game of pétanque, or boules, for a truly French experience. The 16 air-conditioned rooms each open onto a private terrace or balcony for ultimate relaxation, and there’s a self-catering apartment with fine views.

You can spend your holiday dreaming that you’re a local in one of these two luxury apartments within the old walls of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Think medieval stone, ancient beams, stone-flagged floors, all renovated to a high standard, with air conditioning, fully equipped kitchens and beautiful bathrooms. Each apartment sleeps up to four and there’s parking nearby. The helpful owner stocks the fridge for you and can offer plenty of insider tips.