14 Best Hotels in The French Riviera, France

For unforgettable luxury—whether you're a couple seeking romance or you want a family retreat—head to this historical château just 10 minutes from St-Tropez but a world away from its bronzed beach crowds. Set back from the coastline amid 30 acres of lush gardens and olive groves, the property has breathtaking Mediterranean views and guest rooms with private outdoor terraces. Your every need is met with amenities that include three pools, tennis courts, three fabulous restaurants (one by Japanese celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa), and several bars. Tucked away in a lovely corner of the grounds, The Summer Camp for children age three and up, has a cinema, a big kids-only pool, a pirate play ship, cooking classes, even a minifarm—with all-day attendants so adults can relax on their own.

If the Garden of Eden offered a five-star spa retreat, this Relais & Châteaux property—where rooms in elegant bastides (country houses) have their own outdoor spaces amid sculpture-dotted, aromatic gardens—would be it. In addition to a dozen treatment rooms, the expansive spa has a hammam, saunas, a snow cave, a heated pool, and a fitness studio with coach-led classes. Around every corner there's a new discovery, from a sand-bottomed beach club lagoon with a slide and waterfall to an adults-only villa with a private pool. Families are warmly welcomed with an Alice in Wonderland–themed play park and a kids’ club that operates daily during school holidays. Dogs are welcome, too. Seasonal produce from the gardens inspires the cuisine at La Table de Pierre gastronomic and bistro style Lis Orto restaurants. Le Bar invites you to unwind by the fire with a bespoke cocktail.

This extravagantly expensive hotel at the end of the peninsula has long been the exclusive playground for Hollywood's elite, and it continues to set the standard for discreet Cap-Ferrat luxury, with amenities like Michelin dining and three private villas (Beauchamp, Clair-Soleil, and Rose Pierre). Guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces with views of crashing waves and far beyond out to sea. Even the Kids' Clubhouse here outshines the offerings at other area hotels.

Set in a former, 17th-century convent, this old town sanctuary is a masterclass in sustainable luxury and loving restoration—from the elegantly simple but beautifully curated rooms to the Roman-inspired spa with thermal baths, historical character blends seamlessly with modern comforts and amenities. The property also has a charming boulangerie and herboristerie (herbalist shop) and stays true to its eco-conscious ethos by serving natural wines at its bar, terrace, and restaurants. Families are welcome, and there is a daily kids club in summer months. 

You'll feel right at home upon entering this French brand's lifestyle hotel, the first to be designed by Benjamin El Doghaïli rather than Philipe Starck, where everything—from the handwritten welcome messages to the free freshly baked cookies—embodies the “Mama loves you" mantra; the decor reflects local art and culture; and the design-led rooms have supercomfortable beds and ample desk space. The rooftop mosaic pool and bar area are among Nice’s coolest spots, and there's live music on Sunday night and DJ sets Thursday through Saturday. Homemade comfort food is the mainstay in the restaurant, where breakfasts (included in some rates, €19 otherwise) features homemade crêpes, jams, and hot chocolate. The unlimited weekend brunch (€42) has kids’ entertainment, allowing parents to relax over generous servings of mousse au chocolat.

Nestled in the countryside, this resort is larger than Monaco and comes with an impressive roster of amenities—four pools, two world-class 18-hole golf courses, a two-story spa, and five restaurants including Michelin-starred La Faventia and gourmet restaurant Le Gaudina, both recently refurbished. Each of the suites and villas at this Provençal Xanadu is equipped with a private terrace and marble bathrooms that have both a bath and separate shower, as well as exclusive Fragonard toiletries.

Perhaps the most opulent of St-Tropez's luxe hangouts—with its balustraded white villa built in 1936—is now an LVMH property, where French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte refreshed the interiors, with the predominant theme being light. The spa (featuring hammam, snow shower, and ice fountain experiences) transforms you with Guerlain facial or body treatments, pedicures, manicures, and hair or beauty makeovers, leaving you ready to linger over dinner at chef Arnaud Donckele’s three-Michelin-star restaurant, Vague d'Or (set menus from €415). You're already dropping some serious cash here, so it's worth paying extra for a seaside room where you can lean over the balcony and take in the coastal views.

Set smack dab on the famous Croisette, facing the Palais des Festivals, this stately hotel is the perfect high-end pleasure, thanks to soaring suites and unparalleled views of the Mediterranean—and, during the film festival, of the iconic red carpet. The elegant Fouquet’s restaurant and bar adds a touch of film star glamour. Mediterranean menus and refreshing cocktails are stars of the show at Ciro’s Cannes and its stylish private beach. Included in the rates is Studio by Petit VIP, a varied program of kids activities from art to baking and language classes. Meanwhile parents can relax by the outdoor pool or enjoy the Spa Diane Barrière by Parisian brand Biologique Recherche. Splash on a sea view room designed by Isabelle Stanislas. There’s even a pillow menu for a perfect night’s sleep.

The most desirable rooms at this simple yet welcoming 1950s hotel have balconies with sweeping panoramas—so who needs luxury fittings and fabrics when you can have a view of the old harbor for a reasonable rate? Even the kid's breakfast (€5) is half the regular price. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from the bustle of the town center, an advantage in peak season.

Set at an altitude of 3,000 feet, this four-star Châteaux & Hôtels Collection escape has breathtaking panoramas of La Palud's countryside from the breakfast table, plus plenty of activities for non-hikers. You'll also find the right amount of post-day pampering for the whole family, including a spa and heated pool. Traditional cuisine makes up the daily changing menus (with vegetarian options), and the hotel also opened a second restaurant, Le Styx, in town.

Dating from the 17th century and the only hotel set within Vence's old walls, this former stagecoach inn has been owned by the same family since 1919, and they still go out of their way to make your stay memorable. Upstairs, guest rooms are airy and bright, with drapes, bedspreads, and bureau runners in matching hues de Provence. Some rooms have great views, as does the breakfast terrace. Downstairs, the restaurant—all copper pots and wood trim—has a rustic, frozen-in-amber charm and specializes in roasted meat (the chicken prepared on a spit of vines instead of wood is magnifique); it's very popular, so book well in advance.

Tucked into a residential neighborhood—on the crest between Antibes and Juan-les-Pins and surrounded by greenery and well protected from traffic noise—this cool, cozy inn feels like the 1920s private home it once was. Rooms, decked in bright colors and floral prints, have either views of the garden or the sea. If you are looking for a bargain, book the double room with bathroom in the hallway. The well-maintained (though unheated) swimming pool is a haven if you don't feel liking hiking down to Plage de la Salis.

In a restored 18th-century house on La Palud's only street, this lovely little complex with a B&B, restaurant, and a climbing-gear store is run by charming owners. The rustic, simple rooms, each named after a classic hiking route, include one with a large double bed and another with a double and three singles. A small house is available for larger families or groups. Don't expect a TV, but rooms are furnished with a lot of good books. A healthy breakfast (€8.50) includes homemade jam.

With its circa-1930s feel, exposed beams, chic acid-hued walls, and jewel-tone upholstery, this Italian-villa-cum-hotel amid a 7-acre pine forest is impressive. Relax, relax, relax—in the spa, in the garden, by the heated pool, or over a meal in the modern Mediterranean restaurant. It's very peaceful, although some might find the seclusion a little much.