The South of France is impossible to resist, especially in high summer — so we recommend you give in to temptation. From secret hilltop hamlets and private peninsula hideaways to Riviera retreats with serious design credentials, we’ve found the places that bottle the region’s je ne sais quoi in hotel form.
Whether you’re in it for Michelin-starred menus, beachfront glamour or just a perfectly chilled pastis, these stays capture the Côte d’Azur and Provence at their most seductive. Read on to discover 10 of the best hotels in the South of France…
BY THE BEACH
Les Roches Rouges, Saint-Raphaël
Perched directly above the glistening Mediterranean, Les Roches Rouges is a masterclass in low-key, high-impact design — all 1950s modernist lines and pieds dans l’eau charm. The view from the reception balcony plunges dramatically towards the endless grande bleue, so dive straight in: whether into the saltwater infinity pool hewn from the rock, the picture-perfect freshwater pool or the crystal-clear Med itself.
The hardest decision you’ll make is whether to snorkel before or after lunch. Masks, flippers and classic Riviera-yellow loungers are all in ready supply, along with a private pebbly beach and enough front-row sun-beds for everyone to feel like a film star. Try yoga by the sea or a restorative massage at the spa. A new collection of design-led, sea-facing suites and a Michelin-starred restaurant has only turned the dial further toward sublime.
Best room for sea-worshippers Most rooms here come with a sea view, but for the front-row and salty air on waking, book one of the new suites that have sprung up beside the main building — they were made for Med-gazing, with lemon-yellow canopies giving vintage Riviera glam with just a hint of retro Florida. Through the panoramic windows, the sea shimmers at the foot of your bed.
Design details Creative direction from architect Antoine Ricardou has added a home-away-from-home spirit. Breezy balconies, terracotta tiles underfoot and a scattering of well-thumbed novels, give these rooms the feel of an artfully rumpled holiday home.
Something to eat La Chicoula, the hotel’s pine-shaded beach eatery, is a Riviera take on a typical French guinguette (a relaxed open-air café). Enjoy Niçoise salads, casual snacks and iced coffee during the day, or settle in at sunset as a DJ spins tracks and the cocktails keep coming. Récif is the grown-up, Michelin-starred choice — chef Alexandre Baule’s elegant plates highlight the best of local terroir. Then there’s Estelo, for relaxed dining inches from the sea. Try the chef’s favourite Provençal aïoli, followed by a frosty citron givré. Délicieux.
See the sights You’ll be forgiven for not moving much, but if you must venture beyond the confines of the hotel, hike the trails of the Esterel Mountains, or let the concierge plot a boat trip along the coast. Then again, staying put with a chilled rosé and that view of the Île d’Or sounds pretty perfect, too.
FOR OLD-SCHOOL RIVIERA GLAMOUR
Hôtel La Ponche, Saint-Tropez
Down a cobbled lane just steps from the port, Hôtel La Ponche is the storied soul of Saint-Tropez. This legendary address is woven into the town’s mythos as much as the starlets and scribes who once lounged here: Brigitte Bardot, Pablo Picasso, Jack Nicholson, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir to name a few. If walls could talk, they’d tell tales of late-night jazz, movie-star glamour and the filming of And God Created Woman — the Fifties flick that rocketed both Bardot and Saint-Tropez to fame.
To stay at Hôtel La Ponche is to slip into a different pace, a different era. You’re moments from the super-yachts, but lightyears from the showy glitz. Here, it’s all about understated glamour, yoga by the sea and views that haven’t changed since Bardot first walked barefoot across the tiles.
Best room for a Riviera reverie Rooms and suites are named after their most iconic guests, but you’ll feel like the star of your own story whichever one you check into. Book the Brigitte Bardot (aka ‘BB’) Suite for sea views from a private terrace; or for something more spacious, the Jack Nicholson Apartment is as charismatic as its namesake: a 86-square-metre hideaway with two bedrooms, a separate lounge and a fully kitted-out kitchen.
Design details Fabrizio Casiraghi oversaw the interior renovations in 2021. Easy sophistication honours authentic Tropezian design: terracotta floor tiles, vintage furniture, neutral hues and whitewashed walls let that famed light engulf the rooms. Sink into a headily scented bath, with bubbles courtesy of Acqua di Parma.
Something to eat Michelin-starred chef Thomas Danigo (of Galanga fame in Paris’s Monsieur George hotel) signs the menu at Hôtel La Ponche’s restaurant. Lunch on the terrace is a Saint-Tropez must-do. Come sundown, ease into a red-velvet armchair at the bar and order the Bardot-inspired signature cocktail: Tu Veux ou Tu Veux Pas, a sultry mix of tequila infused with chilli and fresh watermelon juice. For dinner, locally sourced fish and Provençal cuisine take star billing: flame-cooked red mullet, fillet of beef with chanterelle mushrooms, and a divine chocolate mousse with fior di latte ice-cream.
See the sights You’re in the heart of the La Ponche quarter — the old fishing village where it all began. Wander the cobbled streets, browse the galleries and watch the world glide by from an iconic red Sénéquier café table portside. Saturday is market day so head to Place des Lices to pick up some Tropezian treasures.
FOR AN ARTFUL STAY
Toile Blanche, Saint-Paul de Vence
One of the best boutique hotels in the South of France for those seeking serenity, Toile Blanche is an artistic retreat just outside the hilltop village of Saint-Paul de Vence. This family-run sanctuary — part art hotel, part bucolic hideaway — is a sensory feast come June, when the lavender blooms and jasmine perfumes the air. Your only problem here will be choosing which of the three idyllic pools to lounge by.
Disconnect, lock the phone away and embrace deep, restorative rest. Open year-round (and well after the summer crowds have dispersed), this is a place you’ll return to — and dream of — long after check-out.
Best room for private-paradise seekers All 22 suites have been thoughtfully designed to feel like your own secluded haven, but for something extra special, opt for Suite du Bon-Vivant or Villa du Pénéquet (whose name rather charmingly nods to the Provençal for ‘power nap’), each with a private pool set in a fragrant garden.
Design details The Leroy brothers, artists and hoteliers in equal measure, have created something special. Some of the buildings date back more than 250 years, now restored in contemporary style with neutral hues, soft finishes and natural textures. Sculptures are scattered throughout the grounds; the gallery space, Toile Blanche Contemporary, showcases the brothers’ work and that of their creative community.
Something to eat Toile Blanche’s signature restaurant celebrates seasonal ‘bistronomic’ cuisine. Try the classic bouillabaisse or petits farcis Niçois (stuffed vegetables), crafted with ingredients from the on-site gardens or sourced from trusted local producers — best enjoyed en terrasse. At lunchtime, La Guinguette invites you to enjoy its relaxed outdoor setting with tapas-style sharing plates.
See the sights Beyond the vines and olive trees, you’re moments from Saint-Paul de Vence, the historic mediaeval hilltop village and sanctuary for artists including Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall (who chose it as his final resting place). Spend a lazy afternoon discovering its art galleries, playing pétanque or venturing further afield into the Côte d’Azur for more Mediterranean magic.
FOR AN ULTRA-LUXURIOUS STAY
Cap Estel, Èze-Bord-De-Mer
Set on a private peninsula between Monaco and Èze, Cap Estel has long drawn big-screen stars and rock royalty, including Greta Garbo, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles (there are whispers that Michelle [Ma belle] was penned here).
The vibe is very much ‘billionaire’s private villa’, with a Michelin-starred chef, Babylonian gardens, waterfalls, a tennis court and an infinity pool that spills into the Med. A second indoor pool, secreted away within the rock-carved spa, looks directly onto the waves, while the hidden beach with a pontoon is perfect for a secluded swim. The general manager personally welcomes every guest on arrival — and with service this seamless, it’s no wonder so many return.
Best rooms for luxury lovers For Riviera romance, choose one of the three deluxe rooms in La Mer, a stone edifice at the edge of Cap Estel’s private beach, where balconies seem to float above the Mediterranean in total privacy.
Design details Le Cap is the Italian-inspired, neoclassical main villa of Cap Estel, with rooms in Le Parc and La Mer as well. The Les Jardins wing contains separate apartments with sea views. Opulence comes as standard.
Something to eat Fresh from his tenure at Le Jules Verne at the top of the Eiffel Tower, chef Kévin Garcia has taken the reins at La Table du Cap Estel, so expect gastronomic ingenuity. In the gardens, Le Ficus is the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant, where you dine alfresco above the waves as the sun dips below the hills.
See the sights If you can bear to leave the cocoon of Cap Estel, Èze’s hilltop mediaeval village — with its jaw-dropping views from the Jardin Exotique — is minutes away. If you fancy a flutter at the Monte-Carlo Casino, Monaco is a 15-minute drive away.
A CHÂTEAU WITH ITS OWN BEACH
Château de Théoule, Théoule-sur-Mer
Poised between the red rocks of the Estérel and the Bay of Cannes, Château de Théoule — with its private beach, Michelin-starred restaurant and beautifully appointed spa — is easily one of the best château hotels in France. This former soap factory still knows how to leave you feeling scrubbed up and sophisticated. The beach here is sheltered and mercifully free of Cannes’ tourist crowds, ensuring you’re free to jump unbothered into turquoise waters and stretch out on the pontoon.
At Le Spa du Château, you’ll find a mosaic-lined Jacuzzi, hammam, cold-plunge Nordic baths, sea-facing treatment cabins, and meditative corners for couples’ rituals. Afterwards, take your champagne apéritif to new heights at the rooftop bar, which has live music from Thursday to Saturday.
Best room for royal flair Choose from a contemporary suite in the modern villa, a duplex in former fishermen’s residence La Maison des Pêcheurs, or a turreted room in the château itself. Top billing goes to the Suite Panoramique, La Fleur de Jasmin, with its private terrace and plunge pool overlooking the Bay of Cannes.
Design details Come for the fairy-tale turrets, stay for the beach-chic aesthetic. The château’s heritage spaces feature arched windows, original stonework and bags of French character. Golden palms, velvet chairs and glinting chandeliers set the mood in Le Bar du Château. Over in the newer villas, it’s all about breezy, oceanside vibes.
Something to eat Straight out of the blocks, young chef Francesco Fezza earned a Michelin star for hotel restaurant Mareluna within seven months of its opening. Enjoy six- or eight-course tasting menus that draw on his Italian roots, French finesse and Japanese flourishes. Down on the sand, under a canopy of parasols, La Plage Blanche is a shaded escape for ceviche and cocktails. Try the Cap d’Azur with Menton lemon or a Hugo Spritz with elderflower. Très Riviera.
See the sights You’re in Théoule-sur-Mer, a quieter corner of the Côte d’Azur, and one of the most charming. Here you’re within easy reach of the big-hitters: Cannes, Antibes and Nice, by train (the station is a 10-minute walk away). Closer still, stroll the local harbour, explore the Estérel hills or paddle straight from the hotel’s pontoon into the sea.
THE BEST VINEYARD HOTEL
Domaine de Fontenille, Luberon
With a soundtrack of rhythmic cicada song, days at Domaine de Fontenille are well spent wandering the estate’s vineyards, lingering over long lunches and whiling away afternoons by the pool. Ask the team to pack you a picnic to enjoy in the 18th-century bastide’s gorgeous gardens, learn all about the varietals during a wine-tasting, or hop on an electric bike to explore the neighbouring Provençal villages.
There’s plenty of space for little ones to run around outdoors at this family-friendly South of France stay, where they can meet the domaine’s donkeys and play pétanque and ping-pong. Come sundown, relax in your roll-top bath tub before donning your favourite French fashion brand for dinner — make it Maje, Sandro or Claudie Pierlot in a nod to the estate’s retail-mogul owners.
Best room for wine connoisseurs Each of the 25 rooms and suites has its own character — some with terraces, original art, or sweeping views over the gardens’ ancient trees. Families should opt for one of the Prestige Duplex Park View, which comfortably sleeps four.
Design details Walk out of the back doors of the honey-hued main building, and the sight of the fountains — flanked by towering plane trees and centuries-old cedars — gives the impression you’ve arrived at a sort of Provençal Versailles. The interiors are cultured and considered, with a mix of contemporary art and classical French touches: parquet floors, soaring ceilings and walls hung with gallery-worthy pieces.
Something to eat La Cuisine d’Amélie serves seasonal dishes on a shaded terrace overlooking the gardens. Much of the menu comes straight from the estate’s own organic garden or trusted local producers. Ask for a chilled bottle of Fontenille Cuvée Les Impatients, the house’s sparkling rosé, and let the afternoon unfold from there.
See the sights This is prime southern Luberon country, with its fairy-tale hilltop villages, shaded squares and market-day colour. Borrow an electric bike and roll through the countryside to nearby Lauris or Lourmarin, or stay within the grounds and explore the 35 hectares of vines, woodland and fields.
THE BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPA HOTEL
La Réserve Ramatuelle, Saint-Tropez
This impossibly serene sanctuary on the Ramatuelle hillside is only minutes from Saint-Tropez, but far from the madding crowds and chaos. The arrival alone feels cinematic: green hills roll out to reveal sculptural architecture, as views of the Mediterranean pull you through the lobby and out to a panorama that’s pure poetry. This is France’s smallest ‘Palace’ hotel, and a stay here will leave you feeling like royalty.
The Nescens Spa is 1,000 square metres of immaculate Swiss-inspired wellness: sign up for contrast bath therapy, moving between the infrared sauna and cool plunge tub, or test out some science-backed anti-ageing protocols. A 30-metre outdoor pool overlooks the verdant hillside and turquoise sea. There are 27 spacious rooms and suites, each with sea-views, a terrace and private garden; families should opt for one of the 14 private villas.
Best rooms for couples and families For couples seeking an ultra-romantic experience, the Taillat Suite Sea View is the one. It’s suspended above the sea, with wraparound views from its 150-square-metre rooftop terrace — the Mediterranean is yours from dawn till dusk.
For families, Villa 7 is the gold standard: four bedrooms, a private pool, trampoline, basketball court, and a gouvernante (housekeeper). As befitting a world-class spa hotel, the main building is as calm as can be, so families may feel more relaxed in the privacy of their own luxury villa.
Design details Wilmotte & Associés designed the property to live in harmony with nature. The light-filled interiors are courtesy of designer Jacques Garcia; the ceramics and art nod to the golden age of mid-century French decorative arts. It all works to let that million-Euro view do the heavy lifting.
Something to eat Chef Eric Canino’s two-Michelin-starred La Voile is a lesson in healthy haute cuisine, while the hotel’s brasserie and poolside is at the casual end of the scale. Sip a Paloma cocktail poolside or head to the roof, where La Muña promises Japanese-Peruvian flavours and sunset spotting.
See the sights A private transfer can whisk you to La Réserve à la Plage — the hotel’s private beach — or drop you at any of Pampelonne’s famed beach clubs for a suitably sun-soaked lunch. You’re just minutes from the buzz of Saint-Tropez, the hilltop charm of Ramatuelle, and — for wine connoisseurs — a constellation of vineyards ripe for tastings.
FOR A COOL POOL
Arev Saint-Tropez
This new kid on the Riviera block is here to shake up the scene with its red-white-and-blue maximalism, zero-faff check-in (entirely via WhatsApp), and a pool so photogenic it deserves its own agent. (Although, the hotel actually says non merci to cameras — because privacy makes for the best parties.)
Sip spritzes to live DJ sets by the pool, then sleep off the festivities in your plush suite. If your hangover is non-existent, padel courts are ready for action, and the gym has Peloton bikes and boxing gear. When it’s time to glow-up again, the spa delivers LED facials and treatments by local brand Maison ST. This place feels more like your own Tropezian hideaway than a hotel.
Best room for poolside panache Unsurprisingly, the Poolside Suites put you just steps from the action, with a private terrace leading straight to the water. Once you’re dry, prepare for a sleep of dreams in the ultra-plush bed, complete with Hungarian goose-down pillows and duvet, plus silky-soft, 500-thread-count French bedlinen.
Design details Forget beige: Arev is a riot of patriotic colour, texture and cheeky French flair, with serious design pedigree. Expect candy-striped everything, toile de Jouy prints and a sense of playfulness that runs throughout.
Something to eat The Strand is a stylish revival of Saint-Tropez’s iconic restaurant. Kick things off with a glass of champagne from the vintage trolley, followed by the catch of the day, delivered each morning by the village’s fishermen. We loved the wood-fired sardines and the truffle ravioli — and it’s unwise to leave without a slice (or three) of the classic tarte Tropézienne. During the Riviera’s long summers, dine alfresco amid ancient olive trees.
See the sights You’re just five minutes from the boutiques of Saint-Tropez and the golden sands of Plage de Pampelonne. The most fun way to get there is obviously in one of the hotel’s custom Citroën Méharis.
A SPA HOTEL IN CANNES
Hôtel Belle Plage & Spa, Cannes
Located in the palm-fringed corner of Le Suquet, around the corner from Cannes’ old port and La Croisette, Hôtel Belle Plage & Spa is a sleek, contemporary bolthole. From uninterrupted sea views at the rooftop bar and restaurant to the vast three-floor spa, everything is designed for stylish decompression.
When you hear the call of the sea, charter the hotel’s private 20-metre Ferretti yacht for a golden-hour glide to the Lérins Islands, or stay put for a bespoke treatment at the spa. You’ll be ready for your Cannes close-up in no time.
Best room for soothing sea views The standout is the Suite Belle Plage, which has three terraces and à couper le souffle (literally, ‘to cut the breath’) sea views. For families, the adjacent apartments with two bedrooms and a kitchen offer independence.
Design details This is pared-back Mediterranean luxury: sculptural curves, peaceful palettes and bespoke Italian-stone finishes. The spa villa is steps away, hidden on a leafy, palm-filled terrasse; reset with a Himalayan salt sauna, a eucalyptus hammam, some Watsu aquatic therapy or a spell in the stylish fitness centre.
Something to eat Enjoy a rooftop breakfast, lunch or dinner with a generous helping of panoramic Med views at Restaurant Bella, whose seafood is sourced directly from local fishermen. Sunsets here over the Esterel mountains are unforgettable, and best enjoyed with a chilled rosé. Within the Spa Villa Belle Plage, try the black cod (marinated for 72 hours), Wagyu beef or a platter of artfully presented sushi at Shiso restaurant.
See the sights Le Suquet is the oldest quarter of Cannes, where cobbled lanes and local markets are l’ordre du jour. Uncover vintage fashion treasures (bonjour, Saint Laurent earrings) and stop for oysters and champagne at the Forville Market, open daily. The concierge can arrange lunch for you at celebrity hotspot La Guérite, where Sir Elton John has been known to give impromptu performances.
FOR A HILLTOP HIDEAWAY
Hôtel Crillon le Brave, Crillon le Brave
In the storybook village of Crillon le Brave, the five-star Hôtel Crillon le Brave is peak Provençal: 17th- and 18th-century houses stitched into the hillside, at the edge of a valley spanning vineyards, olive groves and the distant rise of Mont Ventoux. The hotel is very much an extension of the cobbled lanes, Romanesque chapel and ivy-draped façades that form the village’s heart.
Life here is unhurried, so linger by the tranquil pool or descend into the vaulted calm of the Spa des Écuries, housed in the former stables. The rituals cover everything from bespoke facials to reflexology and mum-to-be massages, but it’s the foot-and-leg sports treatments that win medals with hikers and Tour de France devotees alike.
Best room for valley views Suite 18, a Signature Ventoux Suite, is a scene-stealer. It has twin bath tubs for leisurely soaks à deux, and a terrace at the top of a vine-covered tower for admiring the majesty of Mont Ventoux.
Design details Eight Genoise-tiled buildings are strung together by secret passageways and charming courtyards. Interiors are by Charles Zana, who has balanced traditional Provençal charm with crisp contemporary elegance: wooden beams, vintage furniture, beautiful linens and tomette tiles under foot.
Something to eat At the hotel’s restaurant La Table du Ventoux, the mood shifts with the light, from rosé-drenched lunches on the terrace to candlelit dinners that celebrate the seasons. Chef Thomas Lesage curates refined, terroir-driven menus. The wine list is, of course, a tribute to the region, with Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Ventoux reds in easy abundance. Head down to the elegant bar on the ground floor of Maison Roche, the oldest part of the hotel — the high-ceilinged space is an idyllic evening spot for relaxing over your pastis.
See the sights Lace up your boots and set out to explore the ochre-streaked trails of the Vaucluse and Mont Ventoux.
Drive the Côte d’Azur in style with our dream South of France road-trip itinerary, or plot the perfect weekend in Cannes