Southeast France is the second most popular region of France for tourists. The sun shines on this area of the country, and the landscape ranges from mountains to vineyards, with fields of lavender and sunflowers dominating the flatter areas. Historic medieval towns and seaside cities both offer their own unique charm. Below, we explore the five best luxury hotels in South East France.
1. Hotel De La Villeon
For a countryside retreat, you will find it hard to beat the beautiful and authentically historic Hotel De La Villeon (pictured above). The refined and infinitely elegant Hôtel de la Villeon lies in Tournon-Sur-Rhône in the Ardèche region of France. This beautifully restored luxury townhouse mansion hotel nestles right on the border with Provence, deep inside the Rhone Valley, with spectacular views over the Hermitage vineyards.
The hotel lies tucked away with the street on one side and spectacular exterior vistas on the other, set amongst historical flagstones and centennial yews. It beautifully combines luxury hospitality with nature, authenticity, and the joy of wine.
The hotel features 16 guest rooms and suites spread across three levels. Each guest room has been designed and laid out in keeping with the historical nature of the building. The design aims to offer refined, sophisticated decoration alongside modern facilities and the ultimate in elegant comfort. The hotel also features a bar, two dining rooms, a wine sampling cellar, a stunning outdoor courtyard, and an impressive 2,000 m2 garden.
All pictures are credited to Fabien Marinello.
2. Grand Hotel Du Cap Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel
If you are heading to the French Riviera, the hotel to choose is Grand Hotel Du Cap Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, where you can follow in the footsteps of Winston Churchill and Liza Minelli and sip a cocktail on the terrace to the sound of the live band. When you look out to sea, the pink flowers in the trees seem to contrast and then match the sky as the sun sets. I consider this hotel to be one of the best hotels in the world.
3. Hotel Hermitage Monte Carlo
Hotel Hermitage Monte Carlo is my favourite hotel in Monaco. Pronounced Hermitaaaaage by the French, this Belle Époque dream was built in the early 1900s. The main foyer is an ornate room with high ceilings. The decoration is made up of cream pillars, chandeliers, works of art, beautiful flower arrangements, and comfy sofas resting on a detailed mosaic floor. Behind this sits the tea area where you can sip a light beverage whilst enjoying sumptuous cakes layered with chocolate and drizzled with lemon. The central location, the immaculate rooms, and the elegant communal areas make this hotel simply enchanting.
4. Tiara Miramar
Set along the coastline of the glittering Cote D’Azur in the South of France, the chic Tiara Miramar hotel sits in a rocky cove, looking out upon the glittering Mediterranean.
Tiara Miramar is an ideal base, located on the coastline between Cannes (just 7 miles away) and St Tropez, as well as being under a 2-hour drive from Nice Airport. Enjoy the bustle of these iconic cities, but escape in the evening to a private cove on the edge of the pretty village of Theole-sur-Mer.
Tucked into the cliffs with 59 rooms, Tiara Miramar is a boutique hotel with a touch of the Middle East in its decor. Dark, ornate woods inside contrast beautifully with the lively colors outside. From the main terrace, you can look down over the hotel’s infinity pool, jacuzzi, and tropical gardens, with sun loungers and cabanas dotted around. The hotel also has two restaurants, a spa, a pool, and its very own private beach. The beach is a private concrete peninsula and pontoon stuffed with comfortable loungers and steps down the Azur blue sea.
5. Royal Riviera
Hotel Royal Riviera, sits on the Beaulieu-sur-Mer side of the glamorous St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula on Côte d’Azur in France.
We are regulars at this hotel, and every time I stay, my in-head jukebox starts playing Charles Trénet’s ‘La Mer’. It’s that kind of place. Step inside the main doors, and you enter a hotel that is exactly what you would expect from a luxury hotel on this enchanting coastline.
I particularly love the location of Hotel Royal Riviera because it is connected to a little pathway that winds around the waterfront of the St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. You step down the staircase around the corner from the Hotel Royal Riviera pool, and you can walk for miles and miles, with the sea sloshing to one side of you and luxurious mansions to the other.
Book any hotel above with our very own luxury travel concierge, and you will benefit from free gifts, resort credit, room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out.
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