Things the French Riviera is known for: Brigitte Bardot, 1960s glam, yachts as far as the eye can see, chic cafés, opulent villas, and an abundance of lemon trees. But I'm gonna go ahead and add one more thing to that list: AREV St. Tropez, a pristine luxury hotel just five minutes from the heart of St. Tropez that can be best described as "paradise."
Nestled in the sunny Côte d'Azur in the southeast of France, tourists typically flock to St. Tropez in the height of summer. But I'm here to convince you to plan a trip to AREV in the winter/spring, like I did, so you can enjoy the French Riviera at its slowest and sleepiest, just like a local.
Trust me, this swanky new resort is worth the long-haul flight: The poolside aesthetic is iconic thanks to stripped umbrellas straight out of a vintage postcard, the nautical decor gives extreme "chic c'est la vie" vibes (Countess Luann fans know), and the staff's attention to detail had me feeling like an A-lister for my entire long weekend. In other words, my trip there was perfection. And I'm begging—pleading—for you to recreate it...specifically in the off-season. Read on for all the deets.
THE QUICK HITS: AREV ST. TROPEZ EDITION
- Name: AREV St. Tropez
- Location: St. Tropez, France
- Cost Per Night: Starting at €600 in the winter
- Best For: A trip with your person. (Note: Said person must love great food, great wine, and eating croissants at every available opportunity.)
- While You’re Here, Visit: Fondugues-Pradugues, a family-owned biodynamic vineyard home to the most stunning views I've ever seen—plus some truly delicious rosé.
- One-Word Vibe Check: Aesthetic. Chic. Too-good-to-be-true. (Couldn't pick just one word, sorry.)
- Most Iconic Photo Spot: The pool. You'll see why in a sec.
- Don’t Leave Without: Getting a facial massage at the hotel's spa, which I swear made me look supermodel levels of sculpted.
THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Picture this: you land in Nice, hop in a car, and take the most scenic drive of your life with panoramic views of the coast. Then you arrive at AREV St. Tropez, where you're greeted with a cappuccino, the smell of fresh lemon trees, and freshly baked pastries. You briefly wonder if you're dreaming, and before you have a chance to pinch yourself and make sure, the AREV team has checked you in (while you lounged in their comfy library) and is escorting you to your room, aka paradise. Yep, that's what happened to me within five minutes of arriving.
THE ROOMS
Whether you're staying in a classic room with a balcony or a deluxe room with your own private terrace, the attention to detail at AREV is on another level. Like, I legitimately tried to find the label on the pillows to buy them for my own bed, that's how well I slept. And I think we can all agree that these photos speak for themselves:
I was also able to get a sneak peek at some of the stunning new rooms opening later this year, and actually gasped when the mirror in one of the bathrooms slid open to reveal a view of the pool. Like I said...the attention to detail!!!
Meanwhile, my room came with a private garden, perfect for room service breakfast in the morning, which I partook in...daily. But the best part about my home away from home? The fact that every time I came back in the evening, there was a new pile of cookies, cupcakes, or St. Tropez's signature Tarte Tropezienne (a cream-filled pastry covered with pearl sugar) waiting for me.
THE AMENITIES
Where to begin? Actually, easy: the pool, which is heated all year round. (A huge plus for traveling in the off-season, when—once again!—crowds are at a minimum, room rates are slashed, and it feels like you have the entire village of St. Tropez to yourself.) While there are a lot of places to take a dip in this town (the beach is just a quick drive away from the hotel), AREV's pool is unlike any other. That's because it's nestled in the property's lush gardens, where they grow herbs that are then used by the chef and mixologists.
I mean, lounging in a pool cabana doing my best impression of a French femme fatale while the scent of fresh rosemary and lavender wafts around me? Yes, I beg, please.
Of course, there's also a world-class spa (I am once again asking you to try the facial massage), a paddle tennis court, and the fact that AREV operates a free shuttle service to town and the beach in case you don't feel like walking. There are also cute bikes to take out and about!
THE FOOD AND BEV
It should come as no surprise that AREV has an incredible chef churning out delicacies morning, noon, and night. I could literally write poetry about the salt-baked chicken I had in their cozy wine cellar (ask the concierge to hook you up for a table), and if wine isn't your thing, there's a stacked bar called Q's with cocktails that are as gorgeous as they are tasty.
While I went out for several off-property meals in St. Tropez, my favorite spot was The Strand, AREV's re-imagining of one of the most iconic restaurants in St. Tropez. I mean, look at this spread:
This summer, The Strand is moving outdoors to the hotel's Place des Oliviers courtyard (as you might have guessed, it's surrounded by olive trees), where guests will be treated to live music and a Spritz Bar housed in a vintage Citroën H Van (google it). Inarguably a vibe.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you visit AREV St. Tropez, it'll be a top 10 travel experience. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime hotel, and is well worth the price tag, in my opinion—especially if you hack it by sharing a room with friends. Either way, you'll come home more relaxed than ever. (And, yes, your family might have to endure hearing you saying things in a French accent for a while.) Let's just say St. Tropez is currently #1 on my travel bucket list, and I was literally just there.
