27 Best places to stay in The French Riviera

Of all the resort towns east of Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer is the most charming and laid-back, with pretty beaches and Medieval history – as well as this charming hotel, right by the sea.

An inn for over two centuries, it’s a key part of Cote d’Azur history: Isadora Duncan stayed here before her fatal Bugatti ride in Nice, and for decades it was a second home for Jean Cocteau, who painted the murals in the nearby chapel of Saint-Pierre des Pecheurs.

Modern, unpretentious, spruced up to a four-star standard and run by lovely people, all of its light-filled rooms have sea views – at great-value rates. Sitting out on a warm summer evening, whether on your balcony or in the hotel’s portside wine bar, is a total delight.

Built into a promontory on the Cote d’Azur, with spectacular views over the Baie des Anges, this 1930s hotel has the most enviable position in Nice.

The city’s pebble beach is just below, while a short walk around the headland is the port, where you’ll find less touristy bars and restaurants than along the promenade. The Cours Saleya flower market and Old Town are a few minutes’ walk away, too.

Recently refurbished rooms all have balconies or terraces, and there’s an impressive heated pool built into the rock – the seafront balconies feel like royal box seats over Nice.

Factor in an excellent restaurant, and helpful staff, and it’s a good bet for first-time visitors, or couples popping down for a romantic Riviera weekend.

Only 45 minutes from Nice Airport, the 115 suites and villas of Terre Blanche are designed to replicate a Provencal village, hidden away between cypress trees and woodland.

The aroma of herbs and oleander is everywhere; the gardens beyond the pathways a lush, natural habit for owls, red squirrels and bees. The location may be rustic, but once inside, there’s an atmosphere of pleasingly-understated luxury, from the colonnaded indoor pool to the Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Faventia (one of four).

There are two excellent golf courses, and the two-storey spa is the perfect place to relax after a round. The nearby villages of Tourettes and Calian have wonderful weekly markets.

This very chic Relais & Chateau hotel, built on the site of the legendary 1960s and ’70s Maison des Pecheurs restaurant, with stunning views over the Lerins islands and Esterel Mountains, occupies a streamlined contemporary building with a Californian je ne sais quoi.

Opened in 2009, and redesigned in 2016 by renowned architects Sarich and Goujon from Nice, it has 35 rooms and suites done up in relaxing natural colours and textures, all with private terraces.

It’s one of the few Riviera hotels built directly on a beach, but there’s an outdoor infinity ‘sensory’ pool if the sea is too cold, wellness centre and a chance for an outing aboard the hotel yacht, and Michelin-starred Les Pecheurs for dinner.

It’s a perfect refuge for couples who want to be near the action (it’s only a ten-minute walk to Juan-Les-Pins), but have a romantic retreat right on the sea.

Just outside the pedestrianised area of Old Nice, and a short walk to its beach, this affordable, light-filled boutique hotel has a large, sunny garden, bright with bougainvillea and scented with jasmine.

Breakfast is served there on fine days, and when you’ve done your sightseeing, lounge chairs beckon for lazing with a drink from the bar – you can even join in a game of petanque. Recently renovated, rooms come in various sizes and soothing, modern colours; many have balconies, too. Try to get one overlooking the garden.

The staff are charming and friendly, and there are a handful of parking spaces, too (first come, first served).

In 1835, a French general built this manor house for his Punjabi princess – today it’s the most lavish and seductive place to stay in the heart of Saint-Tropez.  

With its white walls, dark polished woodwork and Asian antiques, the lounge and library still feel as welcoming and informal as a family home; while the 12 bedrooms are expensively furnished, with distinctive flashes of colour.

The tropical garden, with its gorgeous mosaic pool, is irresistible: couples will love the peace and glamour of this place, including romantic honeymooners’ gazebos. Pan Dei Palais is, though, very welcoming of children, with a ‘one big family’ approach that makes you feel right at home.

For the ultimate Tropezian fantasy, spend a dream day cruising along the Cote d’Azur on the hotel’s 31-metre yacht, with indoor-outdoor lounges, bar, sports facilities and a crew of five.

In an idyllic setting – overlooking vineyards and Pampelonne Beach, just outside Saint-Tropez – this chic, five-star hotel makes you feel like a celebrity.

Immersed in a peaceful, seven-acre park filled with parasol pines, secret gardens and a heated lagoon pool, Villa Marie’s stylish rooms and suites are surrounded by nature.  

The spa has quirky walls lined with seashells and uses the scents of the region – pine, rose, jasmine – while the lofty, sea-view terrace restaurant is peak Mediterranean glamour.

It doesn’t come cheap, but the Villa is a sublimely romantic spot for a week or two away from the rest of the world, enjoying the Riviera high life. A free shuttle will take you into Saint-Tropez or to its best sandy beaches. 

Right near the entrance point to St Tropez town, and opposite a beach, this little charmer is one of the best-value hotels in this big-spending resort.  

Reminiscent of a quaint Provencal farmhouse, it has just a dozen immaculately-kept rooms, most with terraces, and each charmingly decorated with a touch of exoticism. There’s also a generous pool with sun-loungers, a bar and barbecue. The hotel’s garden is especially lovely, whether you opt to pay extra for an al fresco hotel breakfast (it’s delicious, with freshly-squeezed orange juice and hot food prepared as you like it), or a glass of chilled rose at sunset. 

The Mediterranean awaits just over the road, where you’ll find the golden sands of Bouillabaisse Beach, and there’s free parking – a real bonus in St Tropez. 

No expense was spared in creating this idyllic, architect’s-dream hotel, immersed in a two-acre Mediterranean garden in Saint-Tropez.

A short walk from Canebiers Beach and 3km from Saint-Tropez centre, the hotel’s boxy white rooms have floor-to-ceiling French windows, filling them with light and opening onto private garden terraces equipped with outdoor showers and loungers. The pricier ones have plunge pools, too.

Then there’s the picture-perfect heated pool, surrounded by palms; the hedonistic Cinq Mondes spa, a Dom Perignon champagne bar and an exceptional restaurant.

Free shuttles will drop you in Saint-Tropez centre and its spot-the-celebrity beaches, such as Pampelonne – so you have the best of both worlds: a buzzy local scene, with peaceful comfort back at base.

Conveniently located in the buzzing heart of Cannes, close to sights, shops and the beach, this four-star boutique hotel has a lush Mediterranean garden with a heated pool – at prices that won’t break the bank.

Yet there’s a sense of deco-chic thanks to design touches (mirrored headboards, velvet accent chairs) and the retro-feel lounge bar.

The sea and most of the city sights are within walking distance, so it’s a good bet for first-time visitors, couples or families – and the garden and pool are a peaceful oasis to retreat to afterwards.

This 1904-built grande dame of the Cote d’Azur has a sublime seaside location, and one of the very few private beaches on the exclusive Cap Ferrat. With spectacular views over the Baie des Fourmis, the hotel has lush gardens of towering palms, sunny terraces and a vast heated pool, open year-round.

Boat hire, water-skiing, parasailing or jet-skiing are all available right on the hotel’s sandy beach; massages are excellent in the petite spa, and the fine-dining restaurant serves breakfast and dinner overlooking the ocean.

A legendary Cote d’Azur hangout for more than 140 years, the ‘Eden Roc’ is more luxurious than ever following a major renovation and the quality stamp of the Four Seasons brand.

Over the decades, this sybaritic palace hotel has hosted a Who’s Who of celebrities, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, who gave it a starring role in Tender is the Night.

So many people return year after year that, unless you book early, it’s almost impossible to get a room in peak season; in summer, the minimum stay is five nights.

There are two restaurants: the fine-dining Eden Roc and a more relaxed Grill & Lounge, with stunning views across to the Lerins Islands.

Its private seafront cabanas are famous for romantic trysts, and now have Champagne coolers; there’s no private beach, but the famous cliff-backed pool (dynamited out of the basalt in 1915) is a stunner.

With its stupendous grounds, boat and tennis courts, the Eden Roc is a totally unique experience, with world-class service – and the price tag – to match.

The hotel closes from mid-October to mid-April.

A cheerful base for a few days in Nice, the Palais Saleya is set in a buttercup-coloured, 18th-century apartment building on the edge of the city’s old town.

The gleaming white suites, with mid-century furniture, bold art and murals, sleep up to four, while apartments sleep up to eight. The latter are especially good for self-catering, perhaps with produce from the nearby Cours Saleya market.

The location couldn’t be better for enjoying Nice – as well as the Old Town, it’s a few minutes’ walk to the beach, to the new town shopping district, and even the stop for the airport tram.

It has parking, too – great for anyone about to embark on a Cote d’Azur road trip or drive the Grand Corniche.

Ivy covers this friendly, family-run boutique hotel in the centre of Saint-Tropez, near the charming Place des Lices – where centuries-old plane trees watch over the morning market, and games of boules take place in the afternoon.

It’s an oasis of calm in the Cote d’Azur’s busy summer season, as you can retreat to calm bedrooms in shades of taupe and white, many overlooking the shimmering emerald pool and laid-back bar.

Casual, friendly and endowed with secure parking (a big plus if you’re road-tripping), this hotel’s plant-covered living walls and outdoor space make it feel like a retreat while still basing you in town.

If you’re staying for a while, the owners also offer some of Saint-Tropez’s more affordable self-catering apartments and villas.

Centrally located on the Promenade des Anglais – Nice’s iconic waterfront – this huge, glamorous hotel was built into a historic Art Deco casino by the Tattinger Champagne group. Rooms are comfy, smart and thoughtfully designed, with plenty of Riviera light pouring in – and there are striking public spaces, including spectacular indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, gym and business centre.

There’s also a casino, as well as a slinky cocktail bar and excellent modern French restaurant, ticking all the boxes as a great base for couples, families or business travellers. The atmosphere is big, glam and flashy, even for the Cote d’Azur – a Vegas- or Monaco-like vibe – but rooms are cool and calm.

Multilingual staff go above and beyond to help you get out and experience the city in style, and glittering sea views from rooms, balconies and a serene rooftop add glamour to the experience.

Located at the far eastern end of Nice’s iconic Promenade des Anglais, with views over the city’s ‘Bay of Angels’, this cheerful hotel offers the chance to stay in the heart of Nice without breaking the bank.

Set in a particularly picturesque row of pastel facades at the bottom of the city’s Colline du Chateau hill, rooms are airy and modern in soothing shades – and lively Old Nice, with its bars and restaurants, is within easy walking distance.

One big draw is the hotel’s sweeping sea views, seen from this historic building’s many balconies: there are 38 rooms in total and 35 have sea views – traditional rooms don’t have balconies, but superior rooms and all higher categories have balconies facing magical, Matisse-like vistas of the Mediterranean. The one suite has a separate living room, balcony and terrace.

Parking is available, a few minutes away; and the hotel has a special partnership with a nearby private beach club, offering discounts on sunbed rentals.

A traditional Provencal-style house converted into a refreshing design hotel, Le Pre feels like a tranquil retreat – but one that puts you close to the buzz and glamour of Saint-Tropez. You’re also a short walk from Saint-Tropez’s beaches, such as Plage des Canoubiers.

Bright white rooms all have original beams, and king-size beds are decorated with contemporary art; each opens up to a private garden terrace where you can enjoy a peaceful, tete-a-tete breakfast before heading out to lounge by the generous-sized turquoise pool.

The hotel’s cocktail bar and restaurant are open all day; in the evening, for a special treat, you can arrange to dine by candlelight ‘on top’ of the pool, thanks to its hard, transparent covering.

It’s a relaxing and stylish hideout run by a personable team that sincerely wants you to enjoy your stay.

Luxury, calm and beauty fill this 29-room hotel, with killer views over the surrounding Cote d’Azur.

Although children are welcome, it’s really a couples’ hotel, with sensuously romantic rooms, Zen-feeling gardens and a heated infinity pool overlooking the sea. The gourmet restaurant is perfect for a tete-a-tete dinner.

The chatty, personable staff contribute to the welcoming atmosphere – and when you need excitement, it’s only 20 minutes’ drive to Cannes.

You’ll be pushed to find anywhere more chic than this iconic hotel, in the centre of Saint-Tropez – built in 1960 by a Lebanese billionaire after he became smitten by the town’s most famous local, Brigitte Bardot.

Six decades on, Byblos remains effortlessly hip. Its charming, Provencal-style rooms and suites are built into a cluster of typical Saint-Tropez-style ochre and salmon-coloured houses; there’s a heated outdoor pool and a 24-hour restaurant, supplied by the adjacent vegetable garden.

On summer nights, it’s party time for the glitterati at the Byblos’s outrageous, bling-fest of a club, Les Caves du Roy. If you want the ultimate Saint-Tropez nightlife experience, look no further – but prepare to upset your bank manager along the way.

Ever since it opened in 1911, this grand hotel – with its landmark domes, allegedly modelled after the breasts of courtesan La Belle Otero – has been the stuff of Riviera legend. Scenes from Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief were filmed in the hotel, and during the Cannes Film Festival it still fills with stars, thanks to its pole position on La Croisette.  

Some suites have movie star names and curious features: the Sean Connery has a bathroom under its dome, while the luminous Grace Kelly has a reading nook by a porthole window. Champagne breakfasts on the sunny terrace add another layer of glamour. It’s a splurge, but great fun for film fans. 

The hotel’s private beach, jetty and restaurant are still the see-and-be-seen spot in Cannes. 

You’ll struggle to bag a room at this icing-white Art Deco hotel on Cannes’ La Croisette during the city’s film festival – but its movie-star buzz lingers long after the stars depart.

The hotel’s La Plage beach club, set on white sands, is one of the Cote d’Azur’s swankiest places to see and be seen; meanwhile, Its fabled restaurant La Palme d’Or has two Michelin stars.

There’s superb service throughout, too – your wish is the staff’s command – so for a touch of Cannes glamour, it’s hard to beat.

This charming little hotel offers an affordable and peaceful alternative to the storied, super-luxe resorts dotted along the Cote d’Azur.

Located near the pretty art village of St-Paul-de-Vence – yet only a half hour from Nice, with the bonus of free parking – Les Vergers makes an excellent base for first time visitors seeing the sights or stopping on a South of France road trip.  

Perks include absolute tranquility, and lovely views over the countryside; light-filled rooms and balconies overlook the sizable pool terrace and wooded hills beyond, serenaded by cicadas.  

It’s not for party animals, being some way from the Riviera’s nightclubs and beach clubs: instead, there are peaceful balconies for sitting out on balmy evenings, and classic black and white decor. There’s no restaurant onsite, but the helpful English-speaking owners go out of their way to offer great suggestions. 

Located just off Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, this fun-loving, millennial-crowd hotel lives up to its name, with a nautical decor that gives a nod to the area’s sailing heritage.

With a casual-chic feel and bargain room rates (by Cote d’Azur standards), The Deck is filled with luminous Mediterranean shades of cerulean, white and navy, and fun design touches like swinging basket chairs and vintage South of France posters.

All the smart, modern bedrooms (or cabines as they’re known) have workstations, but when it’s time to relax, there’s a games room – with a matching blue and white pool table – and a wooden-deck bar on the top floor, serving affordable, fruity cocktails.

This vast, modern seaside resort is in a dreamy coastal setting, overlooking the luminous turquoise water off Monte Carlo’s Larvotto Peninsula. Swaying palms and immaculate gardens surround its huge lagoon-style pool; guests slip off to the vast Cinq Mondes spa for pampering sessions. 

Tangerine accents and polished woods brighten the spacious rooms, nearly all of which have spectacular views of the sea or the mini-metropolis that is Monaco.

Marcel Ravin’s Michelin-starred Blue Bay restaurant, serving a deft mix of Caribbean and Mediterranean cuisine, is one of the best in Monaco (in a crowded field).

There’s a casino, of course, and a helipad, so within minutes of flying into Nice you can delve straight into Riviera high life. 

Wealthy Russians have been frequenting the Cote d’Azur since the days of the tsars. This grand Russian-built villa, established in 1899 on a private peninsula 10 minutes from Monaco, became a favourite jet-set hideaway in the 1960s.

Extensively remodelled in 2003, it’s now a modern boutique hotel with just 18 rooms, including sprawling Presidential suites complete with private terraces.

The setting is just as enchanting, surrounded by the sea, views and century-old trees, with a spectacular pool terrace jutting out over the headland, filling your view with shimmering ocean. The gym and a full-service spa are both right by the water, adding to the luxurious atmosphere.

You do need a car, as it’s out of town and not well connected by public transport – many guests choose to helicopter in (which the hotel can arrange). Don’t miss the spectacular views from hilltop Eze, just up the road. Book a meal in the hotel restaurant, too – the setting is gorgeous and the produce comes from the hotel’s own vegetable garden.

Stay here for old-fashioned glamour, truly magical views, a private beach and a gorgeous infinity pool.

When Winston Churchill and Elizabeth Taylor came to the Cote d’Azur, they checked in at this Riviera icon. Dating back to 1908, it occupies the tip of its namesake cape, Cap Ferrat, with spectacular views towards Nice and Monaco.

Surrounded by magnificent gardens and terraces, it has a spectacular clifftop pool with sea views that makes up for its lack of a beach. The spa and fitness studios are as exceptional, as are the palatial dining room and Michelin-starred food.

This place is all about living the high life: borrow the hotel’s 1960s Mercedes convertible for a spin down the Grande Corniche, à la Cary Grant and Grace Kelly; or take an exclusive two-hour stargazing dinner in the hotel’s garden, with a famous astronomer on hand to point out the constellations. It’s a special occasion experience for most, but if your goal is swanning around the Cote d’Azur like the A-list, this is the hotel to book.

Charming, authentic and classy, this secluded, 17th-century chateau in Eze (between Monaco and Cap Ferrat) is fit for a prince. Literally, in fact: for years it was the summer residence of Prince William of Sweden.

With unforgettable views over this verdant, fabled sliver of coast, lapped by turquoise sea, the hotel’s rooms and suites are ideal for honeymooners, with four-posters, ornate, traditional furnishings and private terraces – some with Jacuzzi tubs. There’s no swimming pool, but it’s only a short drive to lovely local beaches.

Although hard to leave, it’s convenient for popping down to the sights and beaches, but worth returning for dinner at its panoramic restaurant terrace, one of the Cote d’Azur’s most romantic dining spots.