16 best hotels in the South of France to book in 2025
As a woman who has been to the South of France her fair share of times, I’ve learned a thing or two about the difference between a Tarte Tropézienne and a Marrons Glacés – and the magic of a perfectly chilled glass of Chateau Minuty on a hot summer’s day.
The South of France, or as the French say, the Côte d’Azur, is one of the most-loved holiday destinations in Europe. From the picturesque French Riviera to the warmth of Nice's sun-kissed beaches, there are so many things to love about it. Think: rolling lavender fields, clifftop roads and ancient olive groves spreading for miles, best enjoyed at your own leisure from your very own roof-down hire car. So, if you’ve found yourself googling the ‘best hotels in the South of France’, you’re certainly not alone.
Best Hotels in the South of France at a glance
- Best for a low-key stay in St. Tropez: Hotel Lou Pinet
- Best luxury hotel in the heart of Saint Tropez: Hotel Byblos
- Best five-star hotel in Provence: Hôtel Crillon Le Brave
- Best for a splash-out stay: Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel
- Best beach hotel in the South of France: Hôtel Martinez
Which cities are the best to visit in the South of France?
So, where is the best place to stay in the South of France? The most popular seaside principalities and towns in the Côte d’Azur include Nice, Cannes, Saint Tropez, Antibes, Marseille and Monaco – to name but a few. These stylish cities all offer plenty of sun, sea and sand – as immortalised by Slim Aarons – but are also home to some of the coolest beach clubs, chicest boutiques, swankiest hotels and seaside restaurants.
Cannes, well-known for the annual Film Festival, is a great destination for travellers looking for an elevated Mediterranean holiday. Check out the Rue d’Antibes for some excellent shopping or enjoy poolside cocktails right on the Croisette in the truly majestic Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic.
Saint Tropez, with its elegant five-star hotels, high-fashion boutiques, and sun-soaked beach clubs, has an excellent day and night party scene – and is one of the most stylish cities in Le Sud. If you’re visiting in the summer, don’t miss the opportunity to party at Nikki Beach in Ramatuelle, which is a table-top dancing, saxophone-playing, foam party riot. On Saturdays, Places des Lices in the middle of St. Tropez transforms into a vibrant market. Here, you can buy all sorts of French delicacies and craft products from spiced saucissons and truffles to high-quality linen bed sheets.
Monaco is known as the playground for the rich and famous, and a great splurge-out destination. Especially if you want to hit up the casinos. Elsewhere, Nice is an excellent choice for sun-seekers looking for year-round sunshine – and is the more affordable choice in the Côte d’Azur. If you’re a fragrance connoisseur, then check out the Fragonard Estate in Nice, where you can take a fragrance masterclass and even make your own signature scent.
Further inland is Aix-en-Provence, which is home to dozens of postcard-perfect hilltop towns like Saint-Remy-de-Provence or Eze and Gordes, each one more beautiful than the last. Here, you can stay in gorgeous old bastides like the Hôtel Crillon Le Brave. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. You can also tour many of the picturesque wineries in the area, including my personal favourite Château Pesquié.
Tempted? You bet. Time to search for the best hotels in the South of France to provide the perfect base for exploration during your stay. Lucky for you, I’ve whittled down the region's entire offering to 15 of the very best South of France hotels – from luxury hotels and elegant five-star hotels, to stylish boutique hotels and beach resorts in the South of France for couples. Bon voyage.
Ahead, find 16 of the best hotels in the South of France to book today.
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Gregoire GardetteBest for: old-world elegance with Riviera spirit
Why we love it: The grande dame of Nice presides over the Promenade des Anglais with that famous pink dome and a treasure-box art collection that feels more private museum than hotel. Inside, rooms mix period flourishes with fresh renovations; downstairs, the mood shifts from people-watching on the seafront to serious dining at Le Chantecler, helmed by Virginie Basselot (MOF 2015) and holding a Michelin star. The recently opened N Le Spa adds a thoughtful wellness layer—think an indoor pool, wet area, and art-led treatments that nod to the hotel’s cultural DNA. It’s the Riviera in shorthand: history, style and a sense of occasion, with the sea glittering just outside.
- Address: 37 Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice, France.
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £300 (typical entry rates vary by season).
Best for: a low-key stay in St. Tropez
Why we love it: It’s easy to miss Hotel Lou Pinet driving through the lavender fields of St. Tropez, a stylish Provençal paradise hidden on the outskirts of the village. Part of the family-owned Maisons Pariente group, Hotel Lou Pinet feels like the well-kept summer home of your chicest friend, offering a luxury villa-style atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the French Riviera. Warm reds, yellows and terracotta tones decorate all public and private spaces – paying homage to the glamour of 1960s St. Tropez.
There is art everywhere you look, and all the furnishings are wonderfully tasteful. There are only 34 rooms and suites at Lou Pinet, all centred around a gorgeous courtyard pool. Each room has a small private garden and comes equipped with swanky toiletries from Le Labo and Tata Harper. The hotel’s restaurant, Beef Bar, is simply outstanding and promises to be the ‘anti-thesis of a steakhouse’. We think that the Lou Pinet is a great choice if you want a more low-key getaway while still being able to access all the glitz and glam of St. Tropez.
- Address: 70 Chemin du Pinet, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £597.
Best luxury hotel in Provence
Why we love it: This beautiful hillside hotel occupies a fortified 12th-century bastide and is one of the most beautiful five-star hotels in Aix-en-Provence. Guests at Hôtel Crillon Le Brave will quickly fall in love with the slower paste of life on the French countryside as soon as they check-in. The hotel occupies a labyrinth of 17th and 18th century buildings and is surrounded by lush olive groves and vineyards. No two rooms are alike, but each one is the picture of refined countryside elegance.
The swimming pool is a thing of beauty, as are most of the public spaces in Hôtel Crillon Le Brave. La Table du Ventoux is a beautiful terrace restaurant which has an amazing menu of traditional Provençal dishes by Chef Adrien Brunet. La Madeleine, the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant, received a Plate form the Michelin Guide in 2021 and is one of the best tables in the whole of Provence. There’s certainly plenty to fall in love with here – and we’re sure you’ll be coming back for more.
- Address: Place de l'Eglise, 84410 Crillon-le-Brave, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £473.
Best South of France hotel for wellness enthusiasts
Why we love it: Offering free access to the spa and sauna to all guests, this five-star hotel is the ultimate wellness retreat. All rooms include air conditioning, free wifi, a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a coffee machine, everything you need really. The hotel has three sprawling terraces that overlook Marseille’s Old Port, giving you one of the best views in the city. The Les Trois Forts restaurant offers a fabulous menu of gourmet French dishes accompanied by a great collection of fine wines and champagnes – perfect for an indulgent meal after a day in the spa.
- Address: 36 Boulevard Charles Livon, 13007 Marseille, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £235.
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Best adults-only Hotel on the Côte d’Azur
Tiara Yaktsa Côte d’Azur
Why we love it: Overlooking the beautiful French Riviera, this 5-star Relais & Châteaux adult-only hotel boasts a private beach, a heated outdoor infinity pool and panoramic sea views. Offering world-class service, get the celebrity treatment from £540 per night.
- Address: 6, boulevard de l'Esquillon, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £540.
Best family-friendly hotel in the South of France
Why we love it: Perfect for families, there is something for everyone to do within the confines of the Domaine de Manville. Dads will love playing in the 100 hectare golf course, while mums will enjoy relaxing at the swish spa. Kids will enjoy splashing around in the outdoor pool or spend the day in the kids club. There is also the delightful Michelin-starred restaurant Aupiho that will tantalise all the foodies in the family. Just a quick drive away from Les Beaux-de-Provence and its charming collection of bars and restaurants, the hotel is also ideal for exploring the nearby Alpilles Regional Park or charming Provençal villages of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
- Address: 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £386.
Best hotel in South of France for romance on a budget
Why we love it: Searching for the perfect couples retreat? This smaller hotel sits on the coast and boasts ocean views and beautiful bedrooms. From £280 per night, couples can overlook Cap Martin and be just a short stroll away from the Blue Gulf Beach below. The hotel is just a few minutes’ drive from Monaco and Menton, perfect for couples who want to do a little bit of exploring too.
- Address: 100 Avenue Jean Jaures, 06190 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £280.
Best for beach lovers
Why we love it: The Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel is one of the few hotels in the entire Côte d’Azure which offers direct beachfront access; a rarity in France where most beaches are publicly owned. The rooms, unlike much of the excess of Côte d’Azure, are the picture of contemporary minimalist with pared back wooden features and a calming, neutral colour palette. There is a large, beachside infinity pool that is almost unheard of in the French Riviera. This is a great spot to work on your tan or simply people watch. Foodies will love the Michelin-starred Les Pêcheurs, helmed by local boy turned culinary savant Nicolas Rondelli.
- Address: 10 Bd Maréchal Juin, 06160 Juan-les-Pins, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £855.
Best beach resort in Monaco
Why we love it: Monaco is one of the most expensive principalities on the French Riviera, with Monte Carlo famously known as the playground for the rich and famous. You can join them at this beautiful beachfront resort in the upmarket Larvotto district, overlooking Monte Carlo and the Mediterranean Sea. The rooms are light, bright and contemporary while the food at the on-site Twiga Beach Club and Alang Bar tick all the boxes too. The best thing about Le Meridien Beach Plaza through, is of course, the golden sand beach just in front of the hotel.
- Address: 22 Avenue Princesse Grace, MC 98000 Monte Carlo, Monaco
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £373.
Best luxury hotel in the heart of Saint Tropez
Why we love it: Hotel Byblos has a pretty interesting back story. The hotel is named after a Lebanese town where Adonis and Aphrodite became lovers and was built by Lebanese entrepreneur Gay Para to try and win the affections for Brigitte Bardot. Today, Hotel Byblos is well known a celeb favourite hotel in Saint Tropez. Hotel Byblos occupies several pink, orange and yellow-coloured houses that surround a lagoon-style pool.
The 90-room hotel blends Greek mythology influences with all the quintessential Mediterranean touches. The poolside restaurant, led by Chef Rocco Séminara, is truly impressive and a great place to vibe from sunset to the late evenings. There is also an Alain Ducasse-led Italian restaurant called Cucina Byblos on the ground floor. Hotel Byblos is the only hotel in Saint Tropez to have its own nightclub, the Caves du Roy – and guests can even skip the usually very long queues)to get in on a Friday or Saturday evening. In terms of St Tropez nightlife, it doesn’t get better than Caves du Roy – even better if you can simply walk back to your room after a night of dancing.
- Address: 20 Avenue Paul Signac, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £676.
Best Hotel in the South of France for foodies
Grand Hôtel Henri - Les Collectionneurs
Why we love it: Situated in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, this spot is a must for lovers of good food, where chef Olivier Bouzon and his team prepare delicious French cuisine in the courtyard restaurant. Plus, guests can burn off all the calories in one of the many picturesque cycling routes that surround the Grand Hôtel Henri. The rooms here are wonderfully eclectic and give off major Wes Anderson vibes. Picture quirky patterned wallpapers, vibrant tapestries and beautiful French windows.
- Address: 1, Cours René Char, 84800 LʼIsle-sur-la-Sorgue, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £160.
Best boutique hotel in Cannes
Why we love it: This 5-star resort describes itself as ‘the best kept secret in Cannes’, and it is just that. Set in the heart of Cannes, you cannot find a better location than the Five Seas, which is a stone’s throw away from the Croisette, Palais des Festival and stylish boutiques of Rue d’Antibes. The Five Seas Hotel offers spacious, stylish rooms, as well as a lively rooftop bar and pool terrace called Le Roof, which is a great place for sunset cocktails while overlooking the Old Town. Guests can also relax in the spa, which is equipped with a hammam, sauna and relaxation room. This lavish stay will cost you a minimum of £280 per night, which is pretty reasonable on this side of the Mediterranean.
- Address: 1 rue Notre Dame, Cannes City-Centre, 06400 Cannes, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £280.
Best budget-friendly hotel in South of France
Why we love it: A stone’s throw away from the famous flower market on Cours Saleya and the Promenade des Anglais, this four-star hotel sits in the hubbub of Old Nice Town. Hotel Beau Rivage offers 114 air conditioned rooms, all equipped with free wifi and a range of amenities. The hotel has its own private beach called Plage du Beau Rivage which is complete with sun beds, a casual restaurant and even live music. All great things for the very reasonable starting price of £179.
- Address: 24 Rue Saint François De Paule, 06300 Nice, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £179.
Best palace hotel in the South of France
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel
Why we love it: Set on seven hectares of perfectly manicured Mediterranean gardens, this location has been awarded the status of luxury Palace hotel, and rightfully so. Boasting three restaurants, an award-winning spa and a 33 (!) metre-long seawater pool, this five-star hotel has all the elegance and glamour one would expect from any luxury French Riviera getaway – let alone a Four Seasons Hotel. There is also a neat funicular train that leads to a gorgeous clifftop beach club that you may recognise from the ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ film. This hotel is indeed truly fabulous daah-ling.
- Address: 71, Boulevard du Général de Gaulle, 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £1,034.
Best boutique hotel in Saint Tropez
Hôtel de Paris, A Preferred Hotel
Why we love it: Located on Place Blanqui right in the heart of St Tropez’s city centre is Hôtel de Paris, a timeless hotel that is as central as it can possibly get in St Tropez. Part of the Preferred Hotel Group, this stylish hotel is great for travellers who want to be in the thick of it all. There is a fully kitted gym with Evian on-tap, a swish Clarins Spa, and plenty of hotel shuttles to take you to and from all of the beach clubs in Ramatuelle if you so desire. The hotel is also near Place des Lice, the Gendarmerie and Cinema Museum, perfect for exploring all that St. Tropez has to offer.
- Address: 1 traverse de la Gendarmerie, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £451.
Best South of France hotels for explorers
Why we love it: Steeped in history, the city of Avignon is a must for explorers. The hotel itself used to be a school in the 16th-century and offers unmatched proximity to the local landmarks such as the Marche du Samedi Matin and Parc du Cosmos, Avignon Cathedral and Avignon Festival. It’s also just a three-minute walk from Avignon Central Station, making it ideal for backpackers too. The hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool with umbrellas, delicious buffet breakfast and an on-site fine dining restaurant called Le Saint Louis. It really is a must for history lovers.
- Address: 20 Rue Du Portail Boquier, Avignon, Vaucluse, 84000
- Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Price per night: From £141.
