Originally a 15th-century citadel, St Tropez became well known in the late 19th century thanks to influential characters like writer Guy de Maupassant and painter Paul Signac. Other famous painters followed, attracted by the extraordinary light and dazzling sea vistas. In just a few short decades it has gone from a small fishing port to the playground of the stars, the jewel of the Riviera.
With beautiful views over the Mediterranean sea, Hotel Pastis is ‘an oasis of calm’ in the busy port side town of St Tropez. With its own pool and private garden, this hotel also has access to a stunning, quiet sandy beach, away from the summer crowds. With only 9 bedrooms, this hotel is the ideal venue to celebrate a special occasion with friends and family. Each room is furnished in its own unique style and character, and the walls are lined with exquisite pieces of art from the owners personal collection of 20th century art and photography. It includes fantastic pieces by Matisse to Hockney, Caulfield and Warhol. One of the outstanding qualities of this hotel is the top class concierge service. For them there is no request too big or small, and they will even provide children’s meals in the evenings to allow parents to go out for dinner, even though there is no restaurant in the kitchen. It’s things like this that make Hotel Pastisstand out; they will always try to go above and beyond to ensure the comfort of their guests.
The Château de la Messardière has been a St Tropez institution since the 19th century. Seated just above the town, it provides sweeping vistas of the surrounding hills and the deep blue of the Mediterranean stretching into the horizon. As well as the views, the château also has many stunning architectural features; soaring towers and turrets, all rendered in a romantic, provincial shade of ochre. The hotel, dedicated to pampering and well being, boasts 60 rooms and 57 suites, as well as an indoor and an outdoor pool, its own Temple of Beauty spa, numerous bars and even its own art gallery, all encapsulated in the stunning 25 acres of private land. Here you feel cocooned, away from the bustle of St Tropez but still close enough to all the main spots, thanks to their 24 hour shuttle service.
View from breakfast | Courtesy of La Résidence de la Pinède
Situated right on the harbour, with its own private beach and only minutes away from the center of St Tropez, La Résidence de la Pinède is the perfect place for a break in the sunshine. The crisp, white villa wraps elegantly around its own courtyard and pool, and almost all the rooms have sea views with their own balcony or terrace. The hotel is also home to one of the very best restaurants in St Tropez, the 3 Michelin starred La Vague D’Or, renowned throughout the town for its fantastic food and outstanding service. There is also La Terrace, open for lunches and set in their stunning private grounds.
Set right in the heart of St Tropez, near the port and the famous Place des Lices, is the boutique hotel Pan Deï Palais. Tucked away on a small side street, hidden behind a plain wooden door is this exotic paradise. Built in 1835, this well established mansion was once the home of an Indian princess, and its past is visible in the intriguing decor, which is inspired by old Indian fables. Even the food served in the outstanding in-house restaurant is infused with the aromas and flavors of Asia. At weekends the wonderful garden and pool area transforms from a quiet idyll to an exciting hub of music and dancing. Visit the hotels very own Hamam afterwards to relax, or take a trip out on their luxury motor yacht, the world is your oyster at Pan Deï Palais!
Le Mouillage is a family friendly, 4 star hotel, with a relaxed and calm atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re staying in a private house. The 12 rooms and 2 suites are scattered about the hotel, some in the main building, while others give on to a beautiful courtyard filled with plants, flowers and citrus trees, with a picturesque fountain and a pool at its center. The rooms are all uniquely and individually decorated, each with its own quirky travel inspired theme including Morocco, the Orient or a maritime twist. Most rooms have their own terraces, and there are also triple rooms available. The location is fantastic too – close to the beach and less than a ten minute walk into the center of St Tropez, le Mouillage is the perfect place for a summer holiday with the family.
Named after the ancient port of Phoenicia, the Hotel Byblos has been the well known and beloved getaway of the international elite since it opened in 1967. Recognized for many things, amongst them for being the place where Mick Jagger proposed to his first wife Bianca, it’s no wonder that this place is a favourite haunt of the rich and famous. The hotel sits above St Tropez at the top of the hill, with a magnificent view over the rooftops of the town and the shimmering sea beyond. Rendered in delicious tones of terracotta and honey, Byblos perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Mediterranean, and this spills into the decor of the 41 rooms and suites too. It is also home to one of the area’s most famous and illustrious night clubs, Les Caves du Roy, as well as Alan Ducasse’s world class Rivea restaurant. Stay here and enjoy the use of their private spa, fitness center and even in house hairdresser. Or simply relax and unwind by their magnificent swimming pool and fountains. Alternatively, make use of their complimentary shuttle service to all the beach clubs that St Tropez has to offer.
If you’re looking for somewhere with an unbeatable location and unquestionable charm and character, then Hotel Sube is the place for you. Although there is no restaurant or pool here, it is situated directly above the Café de Paris, minutes from the beach and within touching distance of all the shops and restaurants in the heart of St Tropez. The 25 rooms here have all been recently renovated and refurbished, each with its own balcony overlooking the town and double glazed windows to ensure you have the best nights sleep. Relax on your private balcony and watch the world go by, or head upstairs to their rooftop bar for an evening drink at sunset. The bar serves fantastic breakfasts every morning, and you can also find snacks here through out the day. Hotel Sube is without a doubt one of the best (and most affordable) chic hotels in St Tropez.
5 star Hotel Sezz is the epitome of luxury, and is the perfect place to feel away from the hustle and bustle of life, but still be right in the heart of things. The rooms here are called bungalows or cocoons, each stunningly decorated, with its own outdoor shower and sometimes a plunge pool as well. Or stay in one of two villas here – each has its very own swimming pool. Hotel Sezz is home to a Dom Perignon bar and the 3 Michelin starred Colette restaurant, one of the best places to dine in St Tropez. It also boasts a heated outdoor pool, a spa, Jacuzzi and a steam room, all set in the beautiful, soothing and stylish enclave of the hotel which also gives onto their stunning Provinçal inspired gardens. The hotel is about 1km from the center of St Tropez and roughly 5km from the Pampelonne beaches, but the shuttle service and free parking at the hotel makes both journeys a hassle-free experience.
A little corner of paradise, right in the heart of St Tropez near the famous Place des Lices, the 4 star Villa Cosy is a little idyll of calm and tranquillity. It has 14 rooms and suites, each with its own private covered terrace, which look out onto the sleek teak surround of the inviting azure swimming pool, complete with loungers, tables and chairs. Breakfast is served on your own terrace, where you can enjoy the morning and the beautiful surroundings in your own company. One of the hotel’s most impressive features, and every connoisseurs dream, is the fantastic wine and Champagne cellar, visible under the glass floor in the reception.
An traditional, grand hotel in the center of town, the Hotel de Paris has been a favourite spot in St Tropez since the 1930s, when it was frequented by famous faces like Clark Gable and Coco Chanel. After its renovation and reopening in 2013, it now has a new, exciting contemporary design and interior. Its 90 rooms and suites have a retro vibe with white furnishings and the occasional round bed! The hotel is also home to two superior restaurants, Le Pationata and Les Toits Lounge, a rooftop bar/restaurant where breakfast is served and also offers up stunning views over St Tropez. But the star of the show is the breathtaking rooftop pool with a glass bottom which looks down into the hotel atrium – not an experience for the faint hearted! But above all, this is a hotel where the old world meets the modern.
