Cannes, Marseille, Saint-Tropez… The Côte d’Azur is home to a large number of hotels offering both traditional luxury and more intimate charm. What makes them special? They all face the Mediterranean and offer exceptional Provencal cuisine. Here’s a selection.
Hotel Majestic Cannes Barrière
A veritable nugget on the French Riviera, the Majestic is a Cannes institution. This Côte d’Azur hotel has 335 rooms and 8 Signature suites. Facing the sea, the hotel boasts terraces that are at one with the Mediterranean. You’ll succumb to the luxurious charm of these keys, enhanced by modern furnishings, opulent textiles and breathtaking views of this southern landscape. The Christian Dior suite showcases the art of French living, while the Majestic suite boasts a huge terrace with a private heated pool. The restaurants are just as sumptuous. These include the legendary Fouquet’s with a menu designed by Pierre Gagnaire, the PARADISO with its delicious Italian scents, Mademoiselle Gray, and Bfire by Mauro Colagreco for a meal with your feet in the sand on the hotel’s private beach. The outdoor swimming pool, green with palm trees and red with parasols, the renowned 450m2 Diane Barrière spa and the intimate cinema are just some of the activities to be discovered in this glamorous setting, far removed from the stereotypical cheesiness of Cannes.
Lou Pinet Saint Tropez
Saint Tropez is one of the trendiest spots on the Côte d’Azur, with a host of exceptional hotels. One of them is Lou Pinet, a five-star hotel completely redesigned in 2017, with a Provencal feel and a vintage 60s spirit. The bohemian atmosphere pervades the entire establishment, from the 34 keys echoing the warmth and luxury of family homes to the poetic swimming pool worthy of the most beautiful postcards of the south, not forgetting the Tata Harper spa, a veritable bubble of well-being. For dining, the Beefbar is the resort’s must-try address, offering a choice of grills and street food, while the new La Terrasse restaurant offers a Mediterranean menu of burratas, fresh vegetables, grilled octopus and tasty tartars. Perfect for a Tropezian lunch.
Tiara Yaktsa
Salmon pink facades contrasted with greenery, a stone terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, rooms (22 keys) with oriental touches… Welcome to the Tiara Yaktsa, in Théoule-sur-Mer, near Cannes. This Relais & Châteaux branded boutique hotel offers an idyllic romantic and gastronomic getaway under the southern sun. Alain Montigny’s Michelin-starred L’Or Bleu restaurant awakens the senses with surprise menus concocted by the chef in the evenings. Just 700 metres away, at the Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel, owned by the same group, the MoYa Beach Club is all about conviviality and relaxation, in a sublime setting for admiring the sunset. For a refreshing dip, head for the pool at the foot of the building, before relaxing on your own or as a couple in the outdoor beds dotted around the gardens.
Hotel Juana
Nestling in the gardens of Cap d’Antibes, the Hôtel Juana immerses visitors in the atmosphere of the 1930s. Urban and Art Deco, this jewel of the French Riviera also cultivates the artistic world, particularly that of Picasso. Some of the greatest names in jazz have stayed here, including Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. Both at reception and in the 40 delicately coloured rooms, the décor oscillates between aesthetic touches of the last century and modern luxury. This harmony is what sets Juana apart. The best part? Travellers can take advantage of the hotel’s facilities (relaxation area, swimming pool, Paseo party bar) as well as those of the neighbouring Belles Rives establishment (private beach, Aurélien Véquaud’s Michelin-starred La Passagère restaurant, Fitzgerald piano bar). The programme has already been put together!
Les Bords de Mer
Under the aegis of the prestigious Les Domaines de Fontenille group, Les Bords de Mer in Marseille offers a real immersion in the heart of the city of Marseille. In the morning, you can enjoy a massage in the spa nestled in rough stone on the ground floor, share an ursinade on the rooftop at lunchtime, or spend the afternoon on a boat trip in the calanques. Then return at 4pm for a snack from chef Camille Gandolfo and enjoy the last rays of sunshine in the pool overlooking the sea. In the evening, head for the Les Bords de Mer restaurant, whose large bay window is like a painting revealing the sea, the Château d’If and the Frioul islands. Chef Chester Tsai draws on his Asian heritage and multicultural background to revisit the terroir of Provence. The day ends in one of the 19 rooms, inevitably open to the Mediterranean. Here, pastel colours and natural wood blend together in a no-fuss, contemporary decor. Ideal for a romantic weekend in Marseille!
Read also: The 5 most beautiful all-inclusive hotels in the world
Featured photo: © Lou Pinet
