Riviera chic: must-visit hotels on the Côte d’Azur

The top hotels to head for in Europe’s most glamorous summer holiday destination

Prepare for sun, sea and striped umbrellas – the Côte d’Azur is a glitterati haven of old school glamour which has somehow retained its je ne sais quoi status year on year. From enchanting Èze to sparkling Saint-Tropez, spend your days flitting between super yachts and chi-chi beach clubs, where plateaux des fruits de mer washed down with ice-cold rosé is the diet du jour. Amidst the bohemian, barefoot hedonism, there is a more rustic charm to be found in the surrounding string of quaint coastal villages. Wherever you choose to stay on the French Riviera, you’ll be following in the footsteps of a star-studded list of visitors, from Coco Chanel to Brigitte Bardot. Here we pick the hottest hotels to make your boutique base on the Côte d’Azur, from Art Deco mansions to pastel-hued villas and storybook châteaux.

1. Hotel Belles Rives, Cap d’Antibes

The former home of Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, the bold Art Deco styling and blue striped awnings of Hotel Belles Rives have a nostalgic ring reflecting the riotous glamour of the Roaring Twenties. Today, time spent on the private beach and balmy evenings dining on Michelin-starred dishes by the water’s edge recreates the chic elegance of those bygone days at a more relaxed pace. For the ultimate indulgence, request a massage in one of the beachfront cabanas, or a beauty treatment by Swiss skincare revolutionary Valmont. Splash out on a sea view suite and enjoy the same sparkling blue vistas which inspired one of history’s literary greats.

2. Hôtel la Pérouse, Nice

Set on the cliffs on the corniche and overlooking the Baie des Anges, Hôtel la Pérouse commands outstanding views of both city and sea. Spend sunny mornings taking breakfast on the sun-soaked rooftop terrace or the balcony of your tastefully decorated room, then relax by the pool before wandering around the maze of cobbled streets in Nice’s picturesque Old Town. Return to this perfectly placed hotel for lunch in the outdoor Restaurant Le Patio, where you can sit under the shade of the lemon trees accompanied by a gentle sea breeze and enjoy exquisite Mediterranean cuisine.

3. MUSE Saint-Tropez, Saint-Tropez

With its creamy, cooling interiors and fragrant Mediterranean gardens, MUSE Saint-Tropez effortlessly captures the essence of Côte d’Azur glamour. Sit back on the sunny terrace of the MUSE Suite with a private pool overlooking the sea, or take a dip in the Prestige Suite plunge pool with a glass of local rosé in hand (straight from the suite’s own wine cellar). To make the most of the gardens, opt for the Romy Suite – with its own patch of pine tree-lined paradise, this plunge pool enjoys the sunshine with just the right amount of shade. Every little detail has been thought of here, from the beach bag in your suite, kitted out with sunglasses and towels, to the MUSE bicycles guests can hop on for a ride through quintessentially French scenery.

4. Hôtel Juana, Juan-les-Pins

An Art Deco mansion in the stylish seaside setting of Juan-les-Pins, Hôtel Juana epitomises 1930s elegance. Every room here has a refined Riviera feel, while the Deluxe Rooms and Suites benefit from alluring views of the Lérin Islands and Esterel. From gliding across the bay in the birthplace of water-skiing, to private guided tours of the nearby Picasso Museum, there is plenty to keep every type of traveller entertained. Or, you could simply laze the day away on the legendary Plage Belles Rives where homemade pastries and fresh fruit are delivered directly to your deckchair.

5. UP – Ultimate Provence Hôtel, La Garde-Freinet

Just 30 minutes from the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and Sainte-Maxime, next to the little village of La Garde-Freinet, UP – Ultimate Provence Hôtel is a contemporary retreat nestled within 46 hectares of immaculate organic vineyards. Come to luxuriate by the swimming pool against a backdrop of olive trees. Stay, lured by the comforts of beautifully designed bedrooms and delicious dining. And don’t leave without trying a sip (or a bottle) of its award-winning rosé wine.

6. Château Eza, Èze

Step through the 400-year-old castle doors of Château Eza and straight into the pages of a fairytale. Perched high among the ancient cliff tops of Èze, the views from this historic hideaway are truly second to none. Affectionately known until the seventies as ‘The Prince of Sweden’s Castle’, the antique-filled interiors with four-poster beds and period fireplaces nod to the property’s aristocratic heritage, while the glass-edged restaurant opening onto a panoramic terrace gives guests a taste of the modern day Mediterranean. End the day with an alfresco nightcap, where lights from hill-hugging villages and luxury yachts make the shoreline sparkle.