The most beautiful hotels in the Var: luxury, boutique and charm

1. La Ponche Saint Tropez | The mythical Var hotel with incredible charm

The pitch? Ideally located in the heart of old Saint-Tropez, La Ponche also tells the story of the village and those who put it in the spotlight. A fishermen's bar in the 40s, transformed into a hotel a handful of years later, it seduced Sartre and Beauvoir, Eluard and Gréco. Boris Vian took it over for a few jazzy jams before giving it up in 1956 to Trintignant, who stayed here during the filming of Et Dieu créa la femme. Sagan adopted it to write a few novels, and even the Pompidou family took up residence here. From the floor tiles to the Picasso lithographs, nothing seems to have changed. And yet, to become this discreetly luxurious five-star hotel, La Ponche underwent a magnificent facelift, adopting Pierre Frey fabrics and embellishing its walls with frescoes by Elvira Solana. Like an air of French Dolce Vita sprinkled over the intimacy of a family home.

The rooms? The decoration of the rooms may surprise you: housed in former fishermen's huts, they are cocooned in the simplicity of antique furniture, plunging you into the spirit of the 50s. Romy Schneider, Brigitte Bardot, Kenzo: each room follows in the footsteps of the celebrities who have slept there. Opening onto the patio or the lively rue des Remparts, the citadel or the sea, some suites have a terrace, while others are secluded in their 20m² of cosy sobriety. Families can also enjoy the two-bedroom suite, each with its own bathroom. As for the 72m² private apartment overlooking the sea, it adds a fully equipped kitchen and a view that's bound to be superb.

Gastronomy? The restaurant too now has its star chef, Thomas Danigo. Having worked at the Grand Monarque in Chartres and the Galanga in Paris, this promising young man has quickly adopted Provençal cuisine, modernizing it even further. A devotee of short circuits and exceptional produce, he honors regional vegetables and daily fish with a short menu, truly masterful plates and colorful presentation. At lunchtime, you can sit on the terrace and watch the waves as you enjoy mackerel sashimi refreshed with pearl cucumber water and rhubarb vinegar. In the evening, under the murals and softly subdued lights of the dining room, we'll give in to the call of the roast poultry supreme escorted by Sardinian fregola with yellow wine and ricotta, before strolling down to the bar on the mezzanine floor: a few notes of music, a hushed atmosphere, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés-La Ponche has kept its checkerboard floor. You can still hear Gréco singing.

Wellness? Created at the time of its restoration, the Tigre Yoga Club offers a gentle mix of treatments: yoga every morning on the quay facing the sea or, why not, in the intimacy of your room in an individual version; three types of massage can be provided, again in your room. There's even a small fitness room to keep you in shape. No swimming pool, but the blue waves of the Mediterranean and the pontoon are only a few steps away.

Hotel La Ponche Saint-Tropez
25 keys from 333 euros per night
5 rue des Remparts, 83990 Saint-Tropez

2. Hôtel & Spa du Castellet | An unforgettable bucolic and culinary stroll

Toulon is just 25 minutes from the medieval village of Le Castellet. And consequently from the Hotel & Spa of the same name, which nestles its bastide and villas within the 12-hectare estate. This five-star Relais & Châteaux makes no secret of its generosity: 43 rooms ranging in size from 27 to 150m², each with its own terrace. The decor is as soft as it is contemporary. It's the table, among other things, that attracts guests. Fabien Ferré, the hotel's new executive chef, worked alongside Christophe Bacquié for 10 years as second chef. With origins in Burgundy, the chef works with the best suppliers and transforms the flavors of Provence into a breathtaking promenade.

The Hôtel & Spa du Castellet offers two alternatives: the Bistrot San Felice masters the art of braise cooking and La Table du Castellet, a 3-star Michelin gastronomic restaurant where Chef Fabien Ferré offers a delicate cuisine based on Mediterranean and Provencal produce. In a magnificent 700m² spa with a contemporary decor blending stone, light oak and slate, therapists offer massages bearing the Sym Biologic System signature. The wellness area, which includes a hammam, sauna, ice fountain and Jacuzzi, also boasts a Kneipp channel, outdoor pool with massage jet, fitness room and interactive gym. Add to this splendor a 6-hole golf course with Swing Center academy, a running track in the pine forest, not forgetting a tennis court and a pétanque court.

Hôtel & Spa du Castellet
43 keys from €389 per night
3001 Route des Hauts du Camp, 83350 Le Castellet

3. Lily of the Valley | The legacy of well-being

There's as much poetry in the name of this 5-star hotel as in its exceptional location in the Var, on the heights of La Croix-Valmer. Conceived first and foremost as an establishment dedicated to well-being, imagined as a village with scattered houses, this eco-responsible Leading Hotels of the World member was entirely designed by Philippe Stark. The 38 spacious rooms - ranging from 37 to 115m²-each feature a small garden or terrace overlooking the Cap Lardier estate and the Mediterranean. The eclectic decor blends wood and rattan, leather and cushions with ethnic motifs.

The ultimate luxury? The 8 suites, ranging in size from 86 to 210m², scattered around the park and each with its own private pool. You come to Lily of the Valley just to relax. Or to enjoy the benefits of the Shape Club's 2,000 sq. m. of relaxation and health facilities, run by nutritionist Jacques Fricker and offering not only Biologique Recherche beauty treatments and a generous spa, but also weight-loss programs. The cuisine, however, knows how to enchant. The 3 tables entrusted to chef Vincent Maillard offer healthy and generous Mediterranean dishes, with an emphasis on local produce. Enjoy them on the terrace of Le Vista, at Le Brigantine for more Italian flavors, or with your feet almost in the sand at Le Pépé along the 6 km Gigaro beach, before settling into a deckchair at the Beach Club.

Lily of the Valley
44 keys from €468 per night
Colline Saint Michel, Boulevard Abel Faivre, 83420 La Croix-Valmer

4. Château de Berne | An exceptional place with a starred table

With the hilltop villages of the Provencal hinterland as neighbors, a majestic cypress avenue as a preamble, and 1,000 hectares, including 175 hectares of organic vines, situated on the ancient Via Aurelia, Château de Berne opens the door to an exceptional world. Whether you choose one of the 34 rooms or the two villas, the view is breathtaking. Tile floors and classic furnishings give them a chic country feel. A timeless elegance with a hint of history distilled throughout this 18th-century Relais & Châteaux, from the exposed beams and patinated floors to the old earthenware oven. Guests come for the tranquillity as much as for the gastronomy: a star for chef Louis Rameau, which he can share with Eric Raynal, his pastry chef, and this green star saluting the 3,000m² of organic vegetable gardens and the eco-responsible commitment of the estate, which produces its own olive oil, honey and even truffles. The cellar is also a place for tastings. For the ultimate in well-being, take the underground passage to the Cinq Mondes and Vinesime spa: 800m² with swimming pool and 6 treatment rooms. And there's plenty of time to stroll along the forest paths before cooling off in the superb infinity pool.

Château de Berne
34 keys from €281 per night
Chemin des Imberts, 83780 Flayosc

5. Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière | A plethoric offer, a historical place

Owned by the Airelles collection, this 19th-century manor house, topped with turrets and flanked by several ochre stone buildings, looks out over the Mediterranean from the top of its pine forest. A palace set in 12 hectares of meticulously tended natural surroundings. The 108 rooms and suites generously open onto gardens, vineyards and even the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, most with terrace or balcony. The style is chic, the decor restful. The Château de la Messardière is also renowned for its fine dining: from Auberge des Maures with its Provencal cuisine, Matsuhisa Saint-Tropez with its Asian flavours, to Carrara with its Italian flair.

The private beach, 5 km away, can be reached by shuttle or mini Moke for lunch or an afternoon of sunbathing before being pampered in Valmont's 1,000 m² spa; nine treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a sauna based on Japanese tradition, a seawater levitation bath, a yoga studio: there's a plethora to choose from. One of the two gyms is hidden in the park, as is this swimming corridor stretching across a terrace. And if you're bringing the whole family, a 500m² villa awaits the youngest guests. A Leading Hotels of the World with the allure of a legendary address.

Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière
108 keys from €1,100
2 route de Tahiti, 83990 Saint-Tropez

6. Hotel Plein large | Bandol's well-kept secret

For once, here's a small 3-star hotel that's a sight to behold. It's located just a stone's throw from the bay of Renécros, overlooking the island of Bendor. Above all, it makes a vow of tranquillity next to the bustle of Bandol's famous Provencal market and port, and is the ideal pied-à-terre for those wishing to explore Provence's wine route. The 1950s façade, punctuated by balconies, conceals a sleek, modern design that perfectly suits the hotel's 10 attractive rooms, all of which feature a terrace. The triple version has no terrace, but the view of the Mediterranean is just as stunning. Another special feature is La Chipote, the hotel's waterfront restaurant. Here again, the decor is sober, as if to better focus on the panorama, one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. The innovative cuisine showcases the benefits of Provence, with crunchy vegetables and wriggling fish that are happily twisted with pickles and spices to surprise the taste buds. All that's missing is an energizing in-room massage to round off the day.

Hotel Plein Large
10 keys from 375€ per night
12 corniche Bonaparte, plage de Renecros, 83150 Bandol

7. Ultimate Provence | The uninhibited wine tourism experience

Bordering the Maures nature reserve, Ultimate Provence plays the double game of a wine estate and a stylish boutique hotel, far from Provençal codes, but claiming this terroir in both glass and plate. Large bay windows, unfinished parquet floors, marble and brass: the decor is bold and graphic, with an urban feel that gives it its uniqueness. The hotel's 15 rooms and 18 apartments boast an equally refined aesthetic, as evidenced by the contemporary artworks and the mix of colors and materials that are pleasing to the eye and to the touch: the softness of a linen curtain, the delicacy of a wild strawberry headboard or the depth of a fir green plaid. The restaurant's chef, Romain Franceschi, hails from Corsica. The result is a cuisine with Provençal accents, but with a touch of the unexpected. As for the certified organic vines, they produce well-aged wines that can be tasted at the bar or on the mezzanine floor of the concept store, which opens onto the cellar room. Organic, too, are the essential oils used for massages in the wellness center; a yoga room, a reiki workshop, not to mention the swimming pool, where you're welcome to enjoy a drink.

Ultimate Provence
33 keys from €187 per night
7270 route du Luc, 83680 la Garde Freinet

8. Ô petit Monde | Sanary's atypical address

This hotel restaurant, or rather restaurant with rooms, is certainly atypical. Nestled in the cove of Portissol beach, the sea is within easy reach. So it's on the terrace that you'll find yourself rushing to eat. What's on the menu? It varies according to the chef in residence, but above all features seasonal fish and vegetables. The menu features sharing plates inspired by land and sea, such as Mediterranean sashimi sourced from local fisheries, and octopus with hummus, chive oil, radish pickles and pomegranate molasses. In the evening, we settle in to listen to the Dj of the moment, sipping a house cocktail. Sandman's hour has struck, and it's time to join Morpheus... Provided you've booked well: 3 small - 12 and 16m² - rooms only! The delightfully vintage decor marries the simplicity of a chic, bohemian terrace with an unrivalled sea view.

Ô Petit Monde
3 keys from €150 per night
Plage de Portissol, 83110 Sanary-sur-Mer

9. Lou Pinet | An extraordinary garden with a unique cachet

Owned by the Pariente family, this Saint-Tropez-based member of the Small Leading Hotels of the World seems to have never left the 1960s. However, it has been superbly renovated by Charles Zana and François Vieillecroze, who have preserved its charm while adding a touch of unbridled cachet. The 34 light-filled rooms breathe in the light tones of wrought iron and terracotta. Under the restaurant's high ceiling, the sunny banquettes crown the caning of the chairs. While carnivores salivate over American Black Angus or Australian Wagyu, Riccardo Giraudi's Beefbar menu does not omit ceviches or grilled fish.

Lou Pinet is the Provençal word for pine. Two of them, whose age we won't divulge, watch benevolently over the bar's pergola and the many essences that perfume this enchanted garden. Here, on the restaurant terraces, you can take a stroll and naturally recharge your batteries. The same goes for the intimate spa, with its hammam and two treatment rooms featuring Tata Harper's organic products. 15 x 4 metres: the pool's dimensions will appeal to paddlers and swimmers alike. A small fitness room is also available for sports enthusiasts. Last but not least, families will be delighted by Jacadi's cuddly toys and home products.

Lou Pinet
34 keys from €590 per night
70 chemin du Pinet, 83990 Saint-Tropez

10. Cheval Blanc St-Tropez | The ultimate in room and table luxury

How do you say "whaou" with distinction? The tower of a windmill remains from the former Résidence La Pinède at the entrance to Saint-Tropez. And at the Cheval Blanc, now home to the happy few, you can admire... everything. From the lobby, riddled with works of contemporary art, to the sublimely uncluttered view of the Mediterranean, set against a backdrop of venerable pine trees. Jean-Michel Wilmotte is responsible for the decor, with its precise, delicate elegance. From white, he adopts purity throughout the 30 sun-drenched rooms, which naturally face the sea. Marine blue also slips in, on a comfortable sofa, in the waves of a rug. Screens to temper the heat, a small library for moments of forgetfulness and balconies or terraces to gaze out at the infinite. This 5-star establishment has it all: the only waterfront establishment in the tropics and the only three-star Michelin restaurant in the village. La Vague d'Or takes the epicurean on an extraordinary Provencal stroll in 4 or 5 acts imagined by Arnaud Donckele, who divides his time between his 3-star restaurant in Paris and Saint-Tropez in summer. Of course, the beach is private and guests are pampered. As are the 5 treatment rooms in the Guerlain spa and the patio, ideal for yoga classes.

Cheval Blanc St Tropez
30 keys, from €1,450 per night.
Plage de la Bouillabaisse Portissol, 83990 Saint-Tropez