Photo Credit: Hotel Hermitage Monte Carlo

Where to stay while visiting France’s most exclusive summertime playground.

HOTEL HERMITAGE MONTE CARLO

Photo Credit: Hotel Hermitage

Hotel Hermitage Monte Carlo is a Belle Époque masterpiece, originally built in the early 1900s, with soaring ceilings, antique chandeliers, marble floors, and that unmistakable Riviera elegance. Yet, it doesn’t feel stuffy as it’s paired with modern five-star service, Michelin-star dining, and refreshed rooms. It’s tucked away in the heart of Monte Carlo, walking distance from the Casino de Monte-Carlo and the yacht-filled Port Hercules, but slightly off the main drag — so it feels like a private oasis amid the glitz, a place where old money quietly vacations — the kind of place where billionaires prefer to be seen not seen. Guests receive access to all of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s perks, including the private Monte-Carlo Beach Club, priority access to the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and Michelin-starred dining at Yannick Alléno à l’Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. Highlights include the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo spa, which is connected to the hotel and is one of the most renowned in Europe and of which overlooks the sea with cutting-edge wellness treatments and a seawater pool, as well as the Winter Garden, designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel) — an incredible glass dome atrium filled with natural light.

Sq. Beaumarchais, 98000 Monaco

MAYBOURNE RIVIERA

Photo Credit: Maybourne Riviera

When the stunning Maybourne Riviera reopens for the summer season later this year, guests will appreciate its striking modernist architecture, emerging from the rocky peninsula of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin as if forging its way into the glistening Mediterranean Sea. Perfectly positioned near Monaco, this stunning property by the sea fully embodies the golden age of the French Riviera — especially, this summer, at its private beach club, a collaboration with La Môme Group. Nestled in a secluded cove, the chic yet relaxed seaside playground will become the ultimate spot to sip rosé and soak in the Côte d’Azur’s allure.

1551 Rte de la Turbie, 06190 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin 

HOTEL MARTINEZ

Photo Credit: Michel Figuet

What’s not to love about Cannes’ illustrious Hôtel Martinez, the iconic Art-Deco property on La Croisette, which features an eatery in La Palme d’Or courtesy of LVMH darling, chef Jean Imbert and Martinez Bar, which reinterprets the elegance of the 1930s in a décor designed by Rémi Tessier, all within an Art Deco-inspired space highlighted bt white lacquer furnishings with subtle touches of blue sky or light yellow.

 73 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes 

CAP D’ANTIBES BEACH HOTEL

Photo Credit: Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel

Right off the water’s edge of Cap d’Antibes, nestled in a little cove between Port Gallice and Port des Croûton, rests one of the French Riviera’s most exclusive hotels, the Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel. Check into one of eight newly added rooms overlooking the Lérins Islands, Estérel mountains and Mediterranean Sea before unwinding on the resort’s private beach or indulging in a gastronomic experience at its Michelin-starred Les Pêcheurs restaurant.

10 Boulevard Maréchal Juin, 06160 Cap d’Antibes 

CHATEAU EZA

Photo Credit: Chateau Eza

Conveniently situated between Nice and Monaco in a peaceful, tiny, medieval village 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean Sea is Château Eza, a 400-year-old property once owned by a Swedish prince that now exists as a modern-day, five-star property while still retaining its original 16th century ambiance. A highlight of the hotel is the Restaurant Château Eza, a glass-edged room with 180-degree panoramic views of the sun-kissed and sparkling Riviera.

Rue de la Pise, F-06360  

GRAND-HOTEL DU CAP-FERRAT 

Photo Credit: Four Seasons

At the tip of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons property that feels like it’s literally at the edge of the world. Luxury is everywhere here, from the Mediterranean and Provençal cuisine courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Yoric Tièche to elegant design features like Lalique tables, Tisserant Baroque chandeliers and interiors courtesy of famed French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Tailor-made experiences like “Dine in a Work of Art”—dinner in a secret villa where the French artist Jean Cocteau used to retire—make the experience especially sublime. It’s no wonder the hotel has been frequented by the likes of Marlene Dietrich, Pablo Picasso and Coco Chanel.

71 Boulevard du Général de Gaulle, 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat 

CHEVAL BLANC ST. TROPEZ

Photo Credit: Cheval Blanc St. Tropez

Cheval Blanc St-Tropez, which reopens for the summer season May 8, offers a tranquil haven as designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte with a blend of contemporary elegance with Provençal charm, on the Mediterranean coast. The property is known for its serene atmosphere, private beach access, and proximity to the village’s center. It’s a small but exclusive hotel featuring 30 rooms and suites, many with terraces or balconies offering views of the sea, pine forest, or the village; two restaurants and one bar, including the three Michelin-starred La Vague d’Or by Arnaud Donckele; a Cheval Blanc Spa featuring exclusive Guerlain rituals; a collection of modern art; and even its own signature scent, inspired by the Mediterranean and the surrounding pine forest, created by Thierry Wasser, head nose of Guerlain. 

Plage de la Bouillabaisse, 83990 Saint-Tropez

HOTEL BARRIERE LE MAJESTIC CANNES 

Photo Credit: Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic

Whether you attend the festival or not, you must stop in Cannes. A stone’s throw from the Palais des Festivals, you’ll find a film-festivalgoer’s paradise in Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes, which offers use of its private projection room in addition to its “Barrière Ciné-Club” on weekends. Other haute offerings include brasserie Fouquet’s, with a menu created by master chef Pierre Gagnaire; a pool heated to 80 degrees year-round; a private beach; and a team of Clefs d’Or concierges who will cater to your every—and we mean every—whim.

10 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400, Cannes

HOTEL DE PARIS MONTE-CARLO 

Photo Credit: Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo

After recently revealing its new Rotunda and Le Grill restaurant, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, located in the très, très chic principality of Monaco, has unveiled its $50,000 per-night Princess Grace Suite in honor of its former first lady, Hollywood icon Grace Kelly. The 3,000-square-foot suite, which rests over two floors and offers a 180-degree view of the Mediterranean, features all of the Princess’ favorite things, from the terrace enhanced with apricot-colored Grace roses to her favorite literary and poetic works. The suite also offers a range of luxurious, tailor-made services from a fleet of private Clefs d’Or concierges.

Place du Casino, 98000 Monaco

CARLTON CANNES

Photo Credit: CARLTON CANNES, A REGENT HOTEL

The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel is a name with pedigree in that it’s virtually synonymous with the Cannes Film Festival. For decades, it’s been the place where A-listers, filmmakers, and icons stay, party, and make deals during the festival. It’s also a stunning spot to hang out in the summertime thanks to its location —its facade itself is one of the most photographed buildings in France, right on the Croisette — a Belle Époque palace opened in the early 20th century. It also features an uninterrupted sea view and direct access to a private beach club, which was recently redesigned as part of a massive $350 million renovation along with modern rooms, new suites and penthouses, private gardens, and a spa.

 58 Bd de la Croisette Cs 40052, 06400 Cannes

HOTEL DU CAP EDEN ROC

Photo Credit: Hotel Cap Du Eden Roc

At Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, a legendary luxury hotel beloved by the rich and famous, and at the center of a scenic private park, old-world glamour meets modern luxury at the tip of the Cap d’Antibes. During your visit, enjoy fine dining at the Eden-Roc Restaurant, or a lighter meal at the Eden-Roc Grill, overlooking the seawater pool blasted out of the rocks below Cap d’Antibes. New to the iconic hotel is its Spa Eden-Roc by La Prairie, which features a mineral salt wall, sauna, steam room, experience shower, gym and outdoor patio. Guests can also book outdoor treatments under two gazebos amidst wisteria trees or on the beach. Exclusively for Spa Eden-Roc, La Prairie developed a 60-minute “Legendary Cape Beauty with Caviar Water” treatment to diminish signs of aging.

Boulevard J.F. Kennedy, 06601 Antibes 

TERRE BLANCHE 

Photo Credit: Terre Blanche

Terre Blanche’s location enables guests to experience the ambiance of the Côte d’Azur along with the character of Provence. The 750-acre luxury resort is the only property of its kind in the region. It consists of 115 independent suites and villas; four restaurants including the Michelin-starred Le Faventia; an infinity pool overlooking the estate; a two-story luxury spa with an indoor pool and an outdoor vitality pool; tennis courts; and two 18-hole championship golf courses, designed by Dave Thomas.

Route de Bagnols-en-Forêt, 83440 Tourrettes