Boulevard des Cretes, Gassin, France | (618) 248-8274
A quiet hideaway, less than 10 minutes by car from Saint-Tropez
Beautifully landscaped grounds provide panoramic water views
Florentine-style villa belonging to the Relais & Châteaux hotel family
Heated 2150-square foot pool and expansive sundeck overlooking the gulf
A range of tasteful, well-appointed rooms in soothing colors
All but one room has a balcony or terrace and an Italian marble bathroom
Dining options include a Michelin-starred restaurant serving fine Mediterranean cuisine
Sublime little spa and 24-hour room service amp up the pampering
Comprehensive Clef d'Or concierge service can arrange almost anything
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Closed mid-October to mid-April
No beach or business center
Standard singles are minuscule
Not all rooms have water views
Not in walking distance to local sights (transport is essential)
Breakfast not included
Tucked on a hilltop just outside the village of Saint-Tropez, this 40-room luxury property has the look of a posh private estate, the intimacy of a hushed boutique hotel, plus the high-end amenities you would expect to find in one of the Riviera’s "granddames" (including elegant rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a relaxing spa). Befitting its seaside location, Villa Belrose is luxurious without being ostentatious, and the service it offers is formal but not stuffy. Note that the hotel operates from mid-April to mid-October, and the guests who come to drink in the panoramic views from its gorgeous pool-side terrace tend to be both discerning and discreet: simply put, they come to see and not be seen. VIP vacationers looking for a modern hotspot more worthy of Kim and Kanye would be better off staying at the Hotel Sezz Saint-Tropez.
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Scene
A refined seaside retreat for elite (and discreet) guests
Although Villa Belrose is only about two miles from Saint-Tropez, it feels far removed from the throngs and thongs that define that legendary resort town. One reason for that is the calm hilltop location (complete with shady parasol pines and pretty gardens); another is the tasteful Old-World ambiance. Built to resemble a vintage Florentine villa and entered via a curvaceous double stairway, this member of the Relais & Châteaux hotel family looks like a lemon-y confection frosted with white stucco. It is striking inside and out; the plethora of windows, however, prove that the real star attraction is the camera-ready view. Assorted terraces and balconies are designed to maximize it. Ditto for the deck surrounding the massive heated pool -- just don’t expect to see any tabloid stars tweeting on it. Instead, picture Villa Belrose as the sort of place where Grace Kelly might have gone to escape the paparazzi before marrying her prince and decamping for the palace in nearby Monaco.
Location
On a tranquil hilltop, less than 10 minutes by car from Saint-Tropez
As with real estate, location matters when it comes to hotels -- and Villa Belrose's is prime. After all, the park-like property sits atop a hill that delivers 180 degree views of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez. Lounging by the pool is a popular activity here; however, anyone who prefers to join the sandy scene at Plage de Pampelonne can reach the beach by car or scooter in 15 minutes (either can be rented through the hotel). If sightseeing is on the to-do list, Saint-Tropez is a short drive east, while the postcard-pretty (and much more peaceful) village of Gassin is a quick drive south; other popular destinations are in day-tripping distance. Outdoor activities are close at hand, too. Cycling, hiking, horseback riding, and a host of watersports are available nearby, and there is an 18-hole golf course about an 11-minute drive from the hotel.Arriving air travelers can drive in from Toulon, Nice, or Marseille (their international airports are all under two hours away); Saint-Raphaël, which has the closest Eurostar train station, is a 65-minute trip. Chauffeured ground transportation can be booked directly though Villa Belrose; thanks to its comprehensive concierge service, transfers by helicopter or yacht can be arranged as well. - Nine-minutes drive to Saint-Tropez
Rooms
Elegant, understated accommodations, almost all with private balconies or terraces
In keeping with the overall atmosphere, the 40 air-conditioned rooms here are elegant but not over-the-top. Choices range from tiny 160-square foot Standard Singles to 645-square foot Superior Sea-View Suites with separate sleeping and living areas. Each is done up with traditional furnishings and a muted color scheme that is accented by bright white bed linens and decorative moldings. Some feature a classic French toile-and-stripes look with complementary accessories (think oil paintings and tasseled drapery); others have a more contemporary appearance with big upholstered headboards, less fussy fabrics, and black-and-white photographs adorning the walls. Bathrooms across the categories are overloaded with Italian marble and include tubs with handheld showers as well as bathrobes, slippers, and fluffy monogrammed towels. All rooms also share the same modern conveniences -- namely in-floor heating, minibars, flat-screen TVs with international channels and free Wi-Fi. Moreover, all save for one Standard Single boast a private balcony or terrace (in the case of suites, these can cover up to 645-square feet); many look out over the water, though others have views of the pool or well-groomed grounds.
Features
A stellar pool, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and other five-pearl perks
Despite its proximity to the water, Villa Belrose has no beach. So life here revolves around the picturesque 2150-square foot pool with its lounger-lined sun deck and adjacent bar. The hotel’s small workout room center overlooks it, and an on-site spa (where the treatment menu is based on exclusive Niance products) even offers massages in a cabana beside it. Poolside lunches are served as well, courtesy of Le Petit Belrose restaurant. For fine dining, guest retreat to Le Belrose -- the Michelin-starred eatery helmed by Chef Pietro Volontè. Some of the local produce he uses to create fine Mediterranean fare are grown in the villa’s own vegetable garden. A pricey buffet breakfast is served daily in the same restaurant. Other notable features include a handsome lobby with a lounge, a bar, a guest computer and, for inclement days, a fireplace. The add-on perks one would expect in a hotel of this caliber are also available: event planning, valet parking, childcare, 24-hour room service, turn-down service, laundry service, and more. Best of all, guests can take advantage of the hotel’s knowledgeable Clef d'Or (Gold Key) concierges, who can help orchestrate anything from Champagne on arrival to helicopter transfers and luxury yacht excursions, though obviously for a fee.
