Best Wellness Hotels in France

When you pay four figures a night for your accommodation, you expect nothing less than the very best of five-star everything. At La Reserve Paris Hotel and Spa, you get just that. Situated on the fashionable Avenue Gabriel, the hotel verges on the ambience of a private gentleman’s club. Built during the 1800s, and providing stunning views across the Paris skyline, the interior was completely redesigned by hotel designer Jacques Garcia. With its modern feel, yet traditional look, the décor and furnishings allude to the personal service which is so much a feature of the hotel.

Surrounded by lush greenery, but just a short walk from Petite Venise, this MGallery property is a showcase for modern art and wellness. Its L’Esquisse Spa by Clarins is spread over 500 m² with a 15-metre sunlit pool and jacuzzi, overlooking the solarium patio. Bedrooms have balconies with views of Champ de Mars Park and come with Nespresso machines and Clarins bath products. There are accessible rooms and the huge penthouse suites are perfect for families. Its K Bar is the place for cocktails; the venue is characterised by an enormous hanging copper mask art installation.

A charming riverside hideaway, Hostellerie De Levernois is a rustic white mansion, surrounded by six hectares of parkland and century-old trees. Ingredients from its vegetable garden are used in the creation of Bistrot du Bord de l’Eau’s dishes, all of which are cooked in the original 18th-century kitchen. Choose wine from a selection of around 1000 bottles, kept in the property’s cellar. Rooms boast period features such as wooden beams and exposed stone walls, complemented by upmarket French country chic decor. The Relais & Château property is just three miles from the station and minutes from the highway, yet feels wonderfully secluded.

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).

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.

The Canopy by Hilton Cannes enhances the city’s skyline with its exceptional rooftop terrace offering panoramic Mediterranean views and interiors by the acclaimed designer Ramy Fischer. This launch signifies Hilton’s debut in Cannes and expands the Canopy by Hilton portfolio in Europe. The hotel boasts a prime location near the port, featuring 129 rooms and suites, plus 12 apartments, many with stunning views of the old harbour and La Croisette. Unique artworks by young artists adorn each room, complementing the brand’s luxurious amenities. Guests can enjoy an indoor-outdoor heated pool, a fitness centre, and an upcoming spa. Dining options include Marea Rooftop Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, offering a menu by Chef Alexander Douglas Burger, and Café Crème Brunch Club, a Californian eatery. Canopy by Hilton Cannes serves as a communal space, and complimentary bikes encourage exploration of the glamorous city of Cannes.

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)

Saint Tropez is arguably the most famous spot on the French Riviera. Tourists flock here to catch a glimpse of its superyachts and wealthy sun-worshippers. But you can escape the throng in style, at this bohemian hotel. In places, it’s evocative of 1950s Hollywood but also graced with upscale rustic room decor in peaceful tones. Found among the pine littered, picture-perfect hillsides of Ramatuelle, Villa Marie is ideal for couples. There are four-poster beds, open-plan bathrooms, a heated pool on the terrace, a heavenly Pure Altitude Spa, and Dolce Vita, the villa’s veranda restaurant, with cuisine by Chef Cédric Luisin.

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.

Set in one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, this 18th century hospital has been extensively renovated to create a luxurious five star hotel. The onsite bar and brasserie is one of the best in the whole of Marseille and is a popular haunt among local people who have a taste for the finer things in life. While the suites that boast Old Port views are impressive, those who want to splurge should select one of the 33 rooms that come complete with a private loggia gallery overlooking the Notre Dame de la Garde.

Perched on the top of a hill providing stunning views of the Mediterranean and Old Port, the Sofitel is set in one of the most stunning spots in the whole of Marseille. Guests are also treated to first rate amenities that are sure to make them feel on top of the world. The Mediterranean-facing rooms come complete with huge balconies where guests can unwind in style while taking advantage of the excellent room service and soaking up the scenery.

This elegant villa is sure to satisfy the wildest dreams of those who love to surround themselves with luxury. Every inch of this establishment has been created with luxury and style firmly in mind and there are plenty of places to unwind in style here. Taking a stroll through the perfectly manicured gardens while taking in the distant ocean views is the perfect way to unwind in style. Guests will also find a large swimming pool set in a beautiful courtyard and a dining experience that will delight even the most demanding gourmet.