The key ingredients to the perfect hotel beach club? Somewhere far from Europe’s sun-seeking crowds, yet close to the cooling water’s edge—we’re talking a few barefoot steps, or even better if there are wave-lapped loungers. Pretty parasols and towels are a plus, mellow tunes and ice-cold refreshments by day are a must. These beach clubs and exclusive stretches of sand are attached to some of our most stylish seafront resorts, with full-service staff on hand to top up your drinks, leaving you to work on your tan.
1. Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, Spain
An iconic beachfront beauty on the White Isle’s quieter shoreline, Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay lulls guests into blissful, barefoot days with plenty of sun, sea, and sushi. Step straight from the hotel onto the white sandy shore, or one of the many boats bobbing in Ibiza’s sought-after Talamanca Bay. Nibble on bento boxes from the sashimi-serving Nobu Restaurant while you lounge on a Bali bed, or sip on fresh watermelon juice as you take in the panoramic sea views. Stay in your swimwear for a leisurely lunch at Chambao, the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired chiringuito (Spanish for ‘beach shack’).
2. Château l’Hospitalet Wine Resort, Beach & Spa, France
Between vineyard tours, wine tastings, and vinocosmetic spa treatments at Château Hospitalet Wine Resort, Beach & Spa, spend some downtime at the resort’s beach club, where Narbonne’s golden sand meets the glittering Med. Open throughout the summer months, and just a few miles down the road from the château, L’Hospitalet Beach Restaurant & Bar serves a mixture of mezze, tapas, and signature wine cocktails, pairing DJ-hosted disco sets at the weekends with a more relaxed South of France tempo during the week.
3. Villa Geba Boutique Hotel, Montenegro
Standing elegantly with its Romanesque columns over the shores of the Adriatic, Villa Geba Boutique Hotel is backed by wild Montenegro countryside. The stairs leading down from the hotel lead to California Beach, where a chic striped umbrella and sun lounger await (and are included in your room rate). Villa Geba also offers private round-trip transfers to nearby Galija Beach, which is hidden away on a near-deserted rocky coastline.
4. Mykonos Ammos Hotel, Greece
A pretty sugar cube property right on the powder white beach of Ornos Bay, live out your ‘sea and sand’ lifestyle at Mykonos Ammos Hotel. The whitewashed interiors centre around the artistic concept of ‘open air’ to reflect the hotel’s seafront setting – step out of your room and walk barefoot right on to the beach, which is lined with rows of blue-and-white brollies and sink-into sun beds. There’s an exclusive section reserved for Mykonos Ammos guests, and a relaxed beach bar which makes a wonderful ginger mojito (among other classic cocktails).
5. La Roqqa, Italy
We’ve all dreamt of Tuscany’s verdant rolling hills, but there’s just as much beauty to be found along the region’s Argentario coastline. Perched on a hillside overlooking Porto Ercole, La Roqqa leans into the glamour of 1960s Italy. Head down the rugged slopes to the hotel’s Isoletto Beach Club, where teak sunbeds and vintage parasols dot the sandy cove, and signature Isoletto spritzes (a zesty concoction of rhubarb and mint) make their way along the shaded decking. Swim, snorkel, and kayak in Argentario Bay’s gin-clear waters, or for a special daytrip, hire a local captain and set sail to nearby Giglio island.
6. Hotel Belles Rives, France
It’s little wonder that Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald used to call this Cap d’Antibes Art Deco mansion home. Hotel Belles Rives cascades down over several tranquil terraces to the sea, and is fronted by a private pontoon, sun deck and nautical blue umbrellas, and watersports cabin. Learn to waterski right off the pier (this bay is known for popularising the sport in its early days), take over one of the cabanas, and order langoustine skewers and chilled rosé to your waterfront table.
7. Phaea Blue, Greece
Looking out across its own private beach towards Spinalonga Island, Phaea Blue is snuggled into Crete’s roughly hewn coast between the fishing village of Plaka and elegant port of Elounda. Thatched palapas are generously spaced along the pebbly shoreline, and honey-based cocktails are brought straight to your lounger from the beach bar. A few steps away, the hotel’s Blue Door Taverna sits within an old fisherman’s house, and serves mezze trays, seafood platters, and grills the catch of the day right under your nose.
8. Cap Rocat, Spain
Stretching along Mallorca’s sun-drenched coastline for two kilometres, Cap Rocat is an apricot-hued military fortress turned adults-only boutique hotel overlooking the Bay of Palma. The hotel’s private rock cliff beach has direct access to the sea, tumbling down to a secluded jetty and saltwater pool. Intimate tables and ocean-blue deck chairs are arranged close to the edge of Caló de la Reina, where the resort’s Sea Club serves grilled fish and simple plates from its traditional Mallorcan wood-fired oven.
9. Le Calette N°5, Italy
Taking its name from the five surrounding coves (‘calettes’), there’s no shortage of spots to sunbathe and swim at Le Calette N°5. Follow the winding, prickly pear-lined paths down to one of three rugged beaches along Sicily’s northern coast, or stretch out at Calette Reef Club on a king-size day bed. Open from 10am every day between June and September, Calette Reef Club is a sun-kissed spot to sip Sicilian wines and eat artisanal gelato on repeat, all while overlooking Caldura Bay.
10. Hôtel & Spa des Pêcheurs, France
Crafted from island-sourced stone, Hôtel & Spa des Pêcheurs blends into the rocky landscape of Cavallo, just off the southernmost tip of Corsica. This serene sanctuary sits right at the water’s edge, with a private beach, dedicated beach bar, and sea-facing Shore Club completing the coastal-chic picture. Drink in the views of the Lavezzi archipelago on the horizon, while enjoying plates of octopus spaghetti and seared bluefin tuna in the sunshine.
Latest stories
Land of Plenty: a deep dive into Sonoma, California’s picturesque wine country
Rich in wine, fresh produce and aromatic olive oil, California’s Sonoma County also abounds in natural beauty and outdoor pursuits. A trip to this bountiful region is a true feast for the senses, nourishing the body as much as the soul. Six shallow glass cups, similar to tealight holders, are
The new hotels we’re checking into in November
From a pink-hued mansion in Mexico City’s coolest neighbourhood to a secluded cove on Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast, November’s newest additions to the SLH collection span historic hideaways, design-led city stays and nature-framed retreats. Inside, discover restored palazzos, private hot-spring baths and mirrored forest cabins beside Oregon’s Rogue River in the
One island, three ways: how to experience Crete according to your travel style
I packed Victoria Hislop’s The Island for a trip to Crete without giving it much thought. It wasn’t until my second morning at Phaea Blue, gazing across the bay, that I learned the novel had been inspired by Spinalonga, the tiny island sitting directly opposite the hotel. Later that afternoon,
Where to stay: our pick of new hotels that bring their destinations to life
From a Japanese island retreat to a Danish coastal hideaway, we look at seven new member hotels that take their cues from the landscapes around them. Each brings its own perspective on design, wellbeing and a sense of place, whether deep in the mountains or by the Mediterranean. Helenekilde Badehotel,
