Best Luxury Hotels in France

Perched above the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, this Belle Époque landmark opened its doors in 1914 and quickly established itself as one of the Riviera’s most fashionable retreats, attracting some of the 20th century’s most recognisable names, including Winston Churchill and Audrey Hepburn. More than a century later, the property has entered a new chapter with the opening of COMO Le Beauvallon, a carefully restored luxury retreat that brings fresh energy to one of the Côte d’Azur’s most storied addresses.

Located by the beautiful blue waters of the Côte d’Azur, Hôtel Belles Rives was and still is one of the Riviera’s most historic and romantic addresses. Once a private villa rented by F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald in the mid-1920s (and the place where the author began Tender is the Night) it reopened in 1929 as a hotel and remains family owned. The boutique hotel comprises 43 individually designed rooms with an art deco vibe flowing throughout the property. The hotel’s private beach, jetty and Water Sports Club offer guests plenty of space to relax with loungers and beach huts available to hire whilst water skiing, pedalos, paddleboards and banana boats will appeal to those seeking something more active. Guests also have access to fitness facilities and a swimming pool at sister property Hôtel Juana, just 200 metres away.

Waterside dining can be enjoyed at Plage Belles Rives which serves light and delicious Provencal cuisine and La Passagère is the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant led by culinary maestro Aurélien Véquaud. For something more relaxed, lunches and classic cocktails can be found at the newly renovated Bar Fitzgerald, named after the property’s former resident.

We suggest heading to the hotel’s Beauty Corner For the ultimate in pampering where personalised treatments designed in partnership with Swiss anti-aging expert, Valmont and organic skincare brand La Canopée will leave guests feeling beautifully revived.
The hotel is a short stroll from the centre of Juan-les-Pins, with a good choice of restaurants, bars and of course the summer jazz festival and is approx. 25 minutes by car from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport.

Hôtel Belles Rives is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Book one of 47 suites at this sleek former coaching inn that’s pet and family-friendly. Here you can swim in an infinity pool overlooking vineyards during the warmer summer months and a 25-metre heated indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows year-round. Treatments at the spa incorporate the region’s signature tipple, with rooms for couples’ therapies. Its restaurant, Le Royal, is renowned with bookings required far in advance. Under the leadership of chef Jean-Denis Rieubland it achieved a Michelin star and uses produce from the property’s own garden. There’s also a brasserie, Le Bellevue, and the Abysse bar for bubbles.

Ideally located beside the bay, this five-star resort has amenities for those of all ages: a kids club, water sports, hair and beauty treatments, a boutique, outdoor and indoor heated saltwater swimming pools and four restaurants. Designed in the Belle Époque style it has plenty of original features and panoramic sea views. The Thalasso Spa is perhaps Le Grand Hôtel des Thermes’ highlight, with sea-themed treatments, a hammam, sauna and a toasty seawater labyrinth which can be walked or swum through via 194 underwater jets, currents, counter-currents, showers and bubble baths.

This enchanting 19th-century Chateau Pierre de Serjac is the first word in luxury and style and boasts eight elegant rooms for guests to choose from nestled in a traditional wine estate. The city of Montpellier can be found just an hour away and for people who want to be surrounded by nature while enjoying first-class amenities such as a spa and outdoor infinity pool, this is the perfect place to stay. Guests will be able to spend their days cycling through the countryside or playing tennis on the onsite court before enjoying fine dining in the hotel’s restaurant.

Indulge in a opulent break at this hilltop boutique hotel set in a village among the vineyards of Champagne, a 20-minute drive from Reims. Each of its 12 individually designed rooms are named after iconic historical figures and take on a Napoleonic style with antiques and chandeliers. Outside, you can take in the views as you dine on the terrace, soak in Norwegian hot tubs, or work up a sweat in the sauna. Inside the glamorous chateau, is the Les Vignes bar and restaurant, with cheese, charcuterie and lighter bites delivered to rooms on request.

Stay in a restored 15th-century building, transformed from a hospice into a five-star hotel in 2003. It’s just a few minute’s stroll from a metro station and handy for city attractions. Dine on northern French cuisine at restaurant l’Hermitage, eat Flemish food at its brasserie, l’Estaminet, or order room service at any time of the day or night. 88 rooms are arranged around an inner courtyard, with original features like stone walls and period fireplaces, bathrobes, air con and minibars. Take some time out, with access to the Spa by Hermitage Gantois, with its indoor swimming pool and hammam.

Want the chance to enjoy fine dining at its best while taking in enchanting views of the Loire Valley you will be sure to love staying at Chateau de Rochecotte. There are several dining rooms to choose from, each serving classic French dishes from the region with a few modern touches. Each of the spacious rooms and suites are sumptuously decorated in French Renaissance style and boasts huge picture windows overlooking the formal gardens, while the outdoor swimming pool is the perfect place to unwind.

Overlooking Beaune’s ramparts, this 40-bedroom hotel places an emphasis on well-being and good food. Its refined Michelin-starred restaurant, Clos du Cèdre, is housed in the adjacent 19th-century wine grower’s mansion with original decor and an outdoor terrace. There’s a lounge bar with an imposing fireplace, games, a piano and library, as well as a cigar cellar beneath ground. And there’s the Nuxe Spa, located in a stunning vaulted stone cellar with a jacuzzi, hammam and chic treatment cabins. Bedrooms are colourful yet serene, with reverse cycle air conditioning and Nuxe bath products.

This four-star hotel is across from Paul Mistral Park, in the Quartier Exposition-Bajatière, just a short stroll from the city centre. Single rooms through to king-sized suites are available to book, with soundproofing, minibars, room service on demand and balconies. Provided by Sofitel, the property accommodates 40 bedrooms, a hammam, an indoor pool, a sensory shower, a fitness suite and a guest lounge. Valet parking is provided, with complimentary seasonal shuttles to the main ski areas. Meals are served in Le Zebre, a quirky and contemporary drinking and dining venue with easy chairs and sofas — perfect for an evening’s reclining after a day’s Alpine activities.

Just outside Avignon lies this charming village-like hotel complex. Eight restored stone houses are connected by a series of alleyways and courtyards, including a vaulted terraced restaurant, bistro with pretty views of the Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux and an outdoor heated pool with sundeck. Rooms feature Provençal features such as exposed beams, terracotta floors and antique furniture. The on-site Spa des Ecuries offers restorative treatments using dreamy Bamford products, from its converted stable home. It’s also pet-friendly and has a superb fine-dining restaurant La Madeleine.

Boasting an elegant yet simple style, Domaine de Fontenille is set in palatial grounds with several different gardens for guests to explore at their leisure. A number of walking trails wind their way through the grape vines, while the area is also set with a large swimming pool, a boules pitch and a spa that comes complete with a Turkish bath and massage room. Guests can take their pick from 18 luxurious bedrooms and suites, each of which faces the gardens and is decorated in a classic French style with plenty of decadent touches.