The French Riviera has been a celebrity hangout for decades, thanks mainly to the numerous high-end hotels that adorn the shoreline. These nine hotels provide luxury accommodations, indulgent world-class dining, and other top-tier facilities like pricey spas or superb personalized service, whether you’re looking for a modern beach club or an Art Deco relic.
1. Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat
Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat is a Four Seasons resort that has hosted celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Winston Churchill. The views from this perch over the Mediterranean are unbeatable. However, the hotel’s showpiece is Club Dauphin, a famed pool club with a cerulean infinity pool that fades into the neighboring sea. Consider a pool suite with a private infinity pool surrounded by Aleppo pine trees if you want to splurge.
2. Hôtel Martinez
Hôtel Martinez is an Art Deco beauty recently renovated by renowned French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, who added a touch of modernism while keeping the property’s historical atmosphere and breezy marine-inspired details. Martinez, which is just steps from the Palais des Festivals and overlooks the Bay of Cannes, has 409 spacious rooms (99 suites). It’s also home to La Palme d’Or, which has two Michelin stars and is the only restaurant in Cannes to do so.
3. Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Even if you are unfamiliar with Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, you are probably likely familiar with its appearance. The rooms are luxuriously appointed, with Louis XV-style furniture, chinoiserie drapes, and gilt mirrors. The hotel’s signature saltwater pool, nestled on the cliffs, is instantly identifiable and featured in everything from Slim Aarons pictures to Vogue magazine shoots. The hotel opened a new private house in May 2021 that accommodates up to 12 people.
4. Hôtel Nice Beau Rivage
This modern beachfront hotel is another French Riviera icon, yet it’s slightly less expensive than many of its luxurious neighbors. You won’t be short on amenities despite the lower rates because the Beau Rivage is still close to the beach (you can walk from check-in to the sand!) and boasts bright, colorful contemporary rooms. It was a favorite hangout for Henri Matisse, Anton Chekhov, and other artists when it initially opened in 1860.
5. Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel
The Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel, located directly on the water, is a smaller, more intimate establishment that embodies contemporary villa feelings rather than the luxurious mansion design of many other Riviera hotels. Many rooms have views of the picturesque Port du Crouton and are furnished in neutral colors with local olive wood decorations. There are numerous dining alternatives, but the Michelin-starred Restaurant Les Pêcheurs stands out, serving locally caught sea bream with beets and Siberian sturgeon caviar.
6. Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo
This beautiful dame of a hotel faces the notorious hairpin curve of Monaco’s Formula 1 Grand Prix course and is feet from the Casino de Monte-Carlo. The rooms are large, and most have views of the cypress-lined driveway. The Carré d’Or suite, created by Jacques Garcia, contains Louis XVI furnishings, beautiful red and lilac interior materials, and sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea and Metropole’s renowned pool.
7. Hôtel Byblos Saint Tropez
The colorful stucco-clad Byblos, one of the most fabulous hotels along the French Riviera, opened its doors in 1967 and has since become a preferred spot for celebrities and the worldwide jet set. It’s easy to stroll to the village, including the Places des Lices market, unlike several other hotels in the neighborhood. The hotel also houses Les Caves du Roy, one of the top nightclubs in the world, and serves a delicious Tarte tropézienne. This traditional French pastry originated in the region and was a favorite of Brigitte Bardot.
8. Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo
This legendary hotel, which was recently restored, is located directly across the street from Monaco’s famous casino and fashionable shopping from Saint Laurent, Hermes, and Cartier. This is the place to go if you want to splurge: The three Michelin-starred Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris and the very unique Princess Grace Diamond Suite, a 10,000-square-foot room with personal items and souvenirs from the cherished princess, are both located at the Hotel de Paris. A night’s stay there would set you back upwards of $30,000 per night, including a helicopter transfer, a private pool, a jacuzzi, and a lavishly equipped kitchen.
