Hotel Pastis
Saint Tropez, France[view map]
Local restaurants
You’re close to charming hidden gem La Méditerranée, 21 Boulevard Louis Blanc, Place de la Criox de Fer (+33 (0)4 94 97 00 44) with its old tiled floor and little secret garden. For a more buzzy, port-side experience, book a window table at fish restaurant Joseph L’Escale, Port de Saint Tropez (+33 (0)4 94 97 00 63). The summer-sophisticat party set hang out at La Maison du Caviar in the centre of town (+33 (0)4 94 96 80 20) – or for the Provençal real deal that locals love, bagsy a table at Fuchs Bistro, 7 Rue des Commercants (+33 (0)4 94 97 01 25).
Local bars
For the best viewpoint, head to the bar above Café de Paris, Hotel Sube, 15, Quai de Suffren (+33 (0)4 94 97 30 04) – keep your fingers crossed for balcony seats. For something a little more sophisti-glam, walk along the water-front to Le Quai Joseph at Quai Jean Jaurès (+33 (0)4 94 97 73 70) to sup cocktails on a floor of black sand. Or, if you fancy being sprayed with champagne alongside the raucous cocktail set, nearby Nikki Beach club at Ramatuelle beach (+33 (0)4 94 79 82 04) has to be experienced to be believed...
Local cafes
Label-conscious St Tropez antithesis, Le Café, Place des Lices, (+33 (0)4 94 97 44 69) is a treasure trove of locals and pétanque players with a real Tropezian atmosphere. Wander into legendary Café de Paris, le Port (+33 (0)4 94 97 00 65) for a spot of lunch and yacht crowd-watching. Sip an espresso or pick up a pastry from La Tarte Tropezienne, 510 Avenues des Narcisses, (+33 (0)4 94 43 41 20).
Worth getting out of bed for
Sailing and jet skiing is available off Pampelonne beach – or to escape the jet-set Tropezian crowd, visit the mediaeval village of Saint-Paul De Vence – about an hour and a half’s drive away. Stroll around the stone ramparts, then have dinner at La Colombe d’Or restaurant (+33 (0)4 93 32 80 02). Warning: it can take weeks to get a table, so pre-book.