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.

A 17th-century stately mansion home will be your base, should you choose to stay at La Maison des Têtes (so named, because 106 small stone heads adorn its frontage). The building, a listed historic monument evocative of the German Renaissance, became a Relais and Chateaux hotel in 2015. Its rooms, with wood panelling and beamed ceilings, are in keeping with Alsatian tradition, yet carry a contemporary elegance too. Its Restaurant Girardin received a Michelin Star in 2022, thanks to Eric Girardin’s creative cooking and there’s a brasserie with a cast iron wood stove, as well as original stained-glass windows.

Owned by a family of avid skiers (the Capezzone’s), this is part of a small boutique chain. Very much a family affair, son Tom designed the interiors, daughter Emily is the maitre d’, while the owners Suzanne and Philippe are ever-present. The decor in the property has been inspired by Tibet – Chogori means ‘Big Mountain – while the tasting menus in L’Altiplano take on a Peruvian flair, incorporating Japanese cookery techniques, with dishes served on charcoal black crockery. Also in the hotel is the K2 Boutique, Goji Spa by Valmont, a kids’ zone and Bar 1954.

Home of the iconic film festival, Cannes is another magnet for celebrities. Hyatt’s Green Globe-certified Riviera property has 409 room, ten of which are accessible. There’s an art deco theme to its swish design by Pierre-Yves Rochon, with colours echoing those found in the local coastal scenery. Culinary artistry comes from Michelin-starred Executive Chef Christian Sinicropi, in the hotel’s three upmarket eateries. The finest – La Palme d’Or, overlooks the Bay of Cannes and features crockery designed by Sinicropi and his wife. There’s also a spa, kids’ club, beach and plenty of meeting facilities (all buzzing with famous faces and press during the film festival)

Once an actual palace, this impressive residence facing onto Grande Plage, was erected on the orders of Napoleon III. It is every bit as palatial by nature as by name, with high ceilings, antique artworks, ornate detailing, chandeliers and regal furnishings. But floral prints, mod cons like blackout shutters and high-quality textiles ensure the 153 bedrooms also feel cosy. Amenities at this historic landmark residence include the Guerlain spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a playground, an outdoor eatery and the one Michelin-starred silver service restaurant Villa Eugénie (named after the wife for whom Napolean had this property built).

Take a five-star spa holiday at Les Sources De Caudalie. Set beside a peaceful lake, you’ll feel like you’ve arrived in the countryside, yet it’s just a 20-minute taxi hop back to the city centre. The hotel’s menu of ‘vinotherapy’ treatments has been inspired by the region’s produce and there are both indoor and outdoor pools. Additional alfresco amenities include a tennis court, a 3-hole pitch and putt golf course and free bike hire to explore the surrounding Château Smith Haut Lafitte vineyards. The building is grand, but it was crafted using reclaimed materials from local farms. And, combined with its own kitchen garden, Les Sources De Caudalie boasts an excellent carbon footprint.

As part of the Four Seasons group, you can expect high-end understated luxury as standard at Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat. Set on a peninsula enclave, by a small fishing village, this area has long been popular for famous faces seeking an escape from the limelight, in the lap of luxury. The award-winning spa’s hydrotherapy circuit is a great way to unwind and begin your holiday, before sampling Michelin-starred cuisine at the Chef’s Table in Salon des Collections. For 360 degree views, steam bath, hot tub and a ‘Great Gatsby’ feel, book the Suite Cocteau Penthouse, one of its 74 rooms. Families can take advantage of the kids’ club and there are indoor and outdoor pools for year-round swims.

The Black Bass Hotel is a magnificent 5-star escape by the shores of Lake Annecy. The hotel is in an ideal location for exploring the surrounding areas, taking in endless views of unspoiled scenery or simple escaping from day-to-day duties. There are 25 comfortable and contemporary rooms and suites on offer with expansive windows boasting spectacular lake and forest views. The Lake View Suites are complete with spacious terraces and panoramic vistas. There is an excellent on-site restaurant serving a delightful lunch and dinner and a bar which overlook the lake in all its glory. The hotel’s blissful spa and wellness facilities include an indoor swimming pool and a rejuvenating Hammam. Guests are also invited to take advantage of the fitness centre. There is also an outdoor swimming pool with remarkable lake views. This hotel is pet friendly.

Although part of the MGallery group, Hôtel De La Cité is independently owned, housed in a building that’s more than a century old. Guests staying in one of the 59 rooms benefit from perks such as Nespresso machines, free city tours, valet parking and an airport shuttle. Many visit for a meal at La Barbacane, its Michelin-starred restaurant, where diners have the option to eat al fresco overlooking the fortified walls. The boutique hotel’s facilities also include a souvenir shop, a seasonal outdoor pool and a Cinq Mondes spa with a hammam and relaxation room.

A seaside Grande Dame, this 52 bedroom, seven-storey hotel was built in 1909 in the Belle Epoque style and lies in the city’s old quarter. Glamorous, suites with accents of colour come with blackout curtains, a stocked minibar, premium bedding and bay or town views. The Thalasso Spa opens directly onto the beachfront, with a heated saltwater pool, a mud bath, balneotherapy, a relaxation area and yoga classes among its amenities. Also looking onto the ocean is the Grand Hôtel’s restaurant. Children have their own play area, pets are welcome and there’s an outdoor pool.

More Asian fortress than French ski lodge in its aesthetic, the architecture of this hotel stands out in Courchevel 1850. Perched on the Bellecôte piste, Aman Le Melezin offers ski-in/ski-out facilities. Once inside you’ll find that familiar Alpine vibe. There are 31 bedrooms and suites, some of which have balconies, private hot tubs and fireplaces. There’s much to keep you onsite apres-ski, with a cigar bar, fine Japanese dining (think sushi, sashimi and Wagyu beef) at Aman’s Nama restaurant and a two-storey spa with a columned indoor pool made from Capri stone.