St Tropez

St-Tropez has become a byword for wealth and glamour on a slightly hedonistic scale. And on this score this town is without peer - what with the harbour full of super yachts and central square full of sports cars. But St-Tropez is also rich in culture and history. Though only about 1% of its visitors have that in mind. St-Tropez is home to some wonderful avant-garde art galleries, trading on former residents such as Signac and Matisse, and the markets and small port are bristling with fresh local produce and fresh fish. And despite its reputation, some of the best places to stay in St-Tropez are actually affordable.

Although the small fishing village of St-Tropez appealed to discerning, and arty, visitors long before the 1950s, this peninsula was transformed into a glamorous darling of the jet-set almost overnight, after Brigitte Bardot came here to film 'And God Created Woman' in 1956. This is when this town became sexy. And flooded with luxury yachts, sports cars and those-who-like-to-be-seen.

But it's not all brassy glamour, out of season St-Tropez still has the charm of fishing village life in one of the world's most beautiful coastal spots.

What not to Miss

• Whatever time of year you visit its worth taking some time out from your sunbathing and boutique-window-shopping to watch the older generation play Pétanque in the shade, or have a go yourself.
• And on Tuesdays and Saturdays visit the market in Place des Lices for locally grown/made produce such as olives, breads and soap.

The Hotel Guru's selection of the best places to stay in St Tropez doesn't just cater for those with deep pockets. We've managed to track down some very good value options in the heart of this glitzy spot! Use our guide and start to plan your visit.

For St-Tropez on a St-Tropez budget!

• Sumptuous and luxurious, the Hotel Residence de la Pinède is also one of the few hotels in the South of France with access to a good beach. As well as its beach terraces and elegant suites, this hotel also has a restaurant with two Michelin stars.
• The Chateau De La Messardiere is too cool even for St-Tropez, instead it peers down from a hilltop overlooking the bay. This is a glitzy and secluded spot to relax in, where you'll feel truly pampered.
• Le Yaca is a collection of charming old houses just 100metres from Port des Pêcheurs. One of the houses was home to Colette in the 1920s. Discreet, casually chic and beautifully decorated in cool creams and whites accented by a Moroccan fabric here, an Oriental lantern there, it's the antithesis of St-Tropez flash and a real oasis of calm, especially the pool and garden.

On the Waterfront

• The Hotel de Paris is right in the heart of St-Tropez's old fishing hamlet heart, but packed with the latest and greatest technology and several swish restaurants, a chic bar perfect for people watching and a stunning swimming pool.
• Hotel Pastis is glamorous, with nine charming rooms decorated with stunning artworks, but relaxed, and only eight minutes from the centre of town.

Beach Break

• Hôtel de La Ponche is another hotel converted from a cluster of houses - this time right on a small beach. Rooms are elegant and classical, and some have beautiful views over the bay. With doubles starting from just £126 per night, this is also one of the best places to stay in St-Tropez if you're on a more modest budget.

St-Tropez for Deux

• Muse St-Tropez is a luxurious five-star hotel just above St-Tropez. The pool is beautiful and tranquil, there are just 14 peaceful rooms and the gardens are lush and lovely. There’s also a superb seafood restaurant.
• The Pan dei Palais is a superb five-star hotel with an oriental feel to the decor. Each of the 12 rooms is individually designed and decorated with bespoke furniture and Indian accents. The restaurant is Asian fusion.
• Le Mas de Chastelas is an 18th century mansion turned luxury hotel. It’s five minutes from the beach - but slightly along the bay from St-Tropez proper - they do offer a free shuttle bus into town. The 23 rooms are elegant and peaceful and there’s a huge garden surrounding the property. Relaxing and peaceful.

Great Value

• If you want to be right in the heart of town, with bay views, then you can still find a reasonably priced room - try the Bastide du Port, a contemporary hotel in a lovely palm-shaded garden. There are 27 rooms, all with great views of the bay, plus it’s a short walk to the beach. Rooms start from around £130 per night.

The Best Places to Stay near St-Tropez

• Le Ferme d'Augustin is a charmingly converted farmhouse hotel in a beautiful spot, only five minutes from St-Tropez's port, but surrounded by lemon trees and olive groves.

For a self-catering Apartment or Private Villa

• If you’d prefer to stay in a self-catering apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• Obviously the best way to get to St-Tropez is on your luxury yacht. Failing that the closest airport is Toulon-Hyères, which is about 50minutes away. Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport might be more convenient though, it’s about 90minutes away, but with more choice when it comes to carriers and destinations. Cruise ships dock in the harbour too, and there are ferries across the bay.
• If you want to hire a car - which we strongly advise if you’re staying in St-Tropez and want to see more of the Côte d'Azur - we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars. Be aware that the main road through St-Tropez is famous for its world class traffic jams in the peak of summer, though.
• One of the main points of St-Tropez is to ‘be’ there. And part of that means being there at the right time. Sure, if you go outside the summer months then it will be quieter and cheaper, but then you wouldn't be seeing people and being seen. The weather will still be lovely, though.

Still not sure which is the best place to stay in St-Tropez for you?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay on the Côte d'Azur,
• or try checking out the best places to stay in Cannes,
• or the best places to stay in Fréjus,
• or the best places to stay in Nice,
• or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.