South of France: The Best Hotels in the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur)

Les Roches Rouges - Saint-Raphaël

french riviera HOTELS

The French Riviera, also known as the Côte d'Azur, is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France. It is made up of around 550 miles of coastline, and includes popular tourist destinations like Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Antibes, Nice, Villefranche-Sur-Mer, Menton, St-Paul-de Vence and Èze. It is part of the larger Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, which includes Provence.

The French Riviera has long been considered the vacation destination of the rich and famous, meaning there are many luxury hotel properties to choose from for your travels. We’ve included a range of properties in our roundup and selected each French Riviera hotel due to its superb design and good reviews (whether luxury or three-star).

If you’re looking for more affordable lodging options in the French Riviera, be sure to check out our list of the best Airbnb rentals in the South of France.

All photos in the remainder of this post are from the hotel, Airbnb or booking.com websites and are not my own.

hotel Lou Pinet (saint-tropez, france)

The place is a dream come true. If you’re looking for 5 stars but would like to avoid the old-school ambiance you usually get at a palace , this is the place to be. The staff is very attentive, responsive and “human”- with opinions and proper suggestions. The hotel also offers to rent out mini Moke to live the true st tropez experience! We’re traveling with our French bulldog and he got his own bed, treats and was very welcome. Will be definitely returning!

Booking.com Rating: 9.1/10 (126 reviews)

Price: $$$$$ ($400+ USD/night)

Why this French Riviera Hotel made the list: For its five-star accommodations and beautiful interior design.

Hotel Belle Plage (Cannes, france)

Beautiful hotel, in a lovely location! We had a sea view from our room which we weren't expecting and the room itself was perfect! Staff were all lovely and helpful, excited for the spa to open then this hotel will be 10/10! The rooftop restaurant is also a must, breakfast is served there everyday but the atmosphere and food in the evening is sensational!

Booking.com Rating: 8.8/10.0 (173 reviews)

Price: $$$ ($200-$300 USD/night)

Why this French Riviera hotel made the list: For its luxury feel, sea views, and standard rooms starting around 200 euros.

Lily of the Valley Hotel (Saint-Tropez, France)

The location looking over the bay is spectacular. A beacon of calm away from the hustle and bustle of St Tropez and the beach clubs but close enough for a visit. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive without getting in the way!

Booking.com Rating: 9.5/10.0 (280 reviews)

Price: $$$$$ ($400+ USD/night)

Why this French Riviera hotel made the list: For its stunning location set in nature and its private beach access.

tuba club (Marseille, france)

A good welcoming from one of their staff girl! The place is amazing very creative stylish
We stay at room 2 for two nights we had such and amazing time with all by staff and the food was excellent.

Hotels.com Rating: 9.0/10.0 (156 reviews)

Price: $$$ ($200-$300 USD/night)

Why this French Riviera hotel made the list: For its remote location and access to the water.

toile blanche (Saint Paul de VEnce, France)

We booked the standard room for one night to finally visit Saint-Paul de Vence and have a short drive to Nice airport the next morning. When we saw the premise and felt the atmosphere of the place we were seriously considering to reschedule our flight! The hotel is simply troumendous, with lovely welcoming people and stunning interiors. Our stay was not in the peak of the season and the suite was available. We were upgraded without any request or additional fee. We really appreciate this gesture of the owners. We will definitely come back to this magic place very soon.

Booking.com Rating: 9.4/10.0 (142 reviews)

Price: $$$$$ ($400+ USD/night)

Why this French Riviera hotel made the list: For its location near Saint Paul de Vence and luxuriously designed suites.

Les Roches Rouges (Saint Raphaël, france)

The location is picture-perfect. The ambiente is very elegant and low-key at the same time. Great interior design and super breakfast. The staff is very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed going on long walks along the coast.

Hotels.com Rating: 8.7/10.0 (218 reviews)

Price: $$$$$ ($400+ USD/night)

Why this French Riviera hotel made the list: For its views of the Mediterranean from its rooms, restaurants, wellness spa, huge seawater pool, and lap pool, and lush, pine-filled garden.

Maison Mastrorelli (Roquefort-Les-Pins, France)

We had a wonderful stay at Céline's place! We were 3 families with children and each family had its space. The house is sumptuous and decorated with great taste. The bedding is spotless. We enjoyed the garden and the pool: swimming, napping on a deckchair in the shade of an olive tree, barbecue and lunch on the terrace. A true haven of peace!

Airbnb Rating: 5.0/5.0 (31 reviews)

Price: $$$ ($200-$300 USD/night)

Why this French Riviera hotel made the list: For its small boutique design and ability to be booked out in full.

Hotel La Tartane (Saint-Tropez, france)

Excellent location to dip in and out of St Tropez or to Pampelonne Beach. The hotel provides and excellent shuttle service. The newly refurbished rooms are tastefully decorated and very comfortable with excellent bathrooms. we had excellent meals at the pool bar and restaurant with very friendly staff.

Booking.com Rating: 8.7/10.0 (164 reviews)

Price: $$$$$ ($400+ USD/night)

Why this French Riviera hotel made list: For its luxurious interior design and accommodations.

hotel amour (nice, France)

One of the most interesting hotels we have ever stayed in. (And we have experienced many design hotels in the past.) The interior design is very creative and furnished with a lot of attention to detail. Not cool Scandinavian, but with a love of detail, relaxed, Mediterranean and colourful. - The location is great. - The roof terrace is cool. - The food in the restaurant was very good. - The staff could speak English very well.

Booking.com Rating: 8.7/10.0 (513 reviews)

Price: $$$ ($200-$300 USD/night)

Why this French Riviera hotel made the list: For its location in the heart of Nice, rooftop pool and private beach with restaurant.

L'Abbaye Hotel (La Colle sur Loup, France)

Beautiful building with amazing history and architecture. Extremely relaxing vibes. Proper family feel hotel/B&B. Very comfortable room and bed. Superb breakfast in a lovely setting. The place is family run and really feels like all the staff care greatly that guests have a positive and relaxing experience. Staying at L'Abbaye feels like home (albeit far more glam!).

Booking.com Rating: 9.2/10.0 (475 reviews)

Price: $$$ ($200-$300 USD/night)

Why this French Riviera hotel made the list: For its location in a thirteenth century abbey, recent renovations and affordable price.

CAP D'ANTIBES Beach hotel (CAP D'ANTIBES, France)

We had a perfect holiday at the Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel experiencing hospitality at its best in a piece of paradise. Each staff member radiates positivity, has a unique service culture as well as the willingness to go the extra mile continuously for their guests. This philosophy is felt in the interaction with general management, front office, bar/restaurant, beach/pool services, technical services to housekeeping and forms the character of the hotel. Another key differentiating factor is the extraordinary cuisine, both in the beach or the Michelin star restaurant with consistent top class quality.

Google Reviews: 4.3/5 (261 reviews)

Price: $$$$$ ($400+ USD/night)

Why this French Riviera hotel made the list: For the hotel’s private beach access on Cap d’Antibes in the French Riviera and colorful, modern interior design.

STICK AROUND FOR A WHILE

Need help planning the rest of your trip to the South of France?

We think you’ll like our other South of France posts, like this French Riviera Travel Guide, the Best Hotels in Provence, the Prettiest Airbnbs in the South of France, our experience staying at Le Galinier in Lourmarin, and the guide to our favorite village in Provence: Lourmarin.

We also have guides to other regions of France, like our Complete Guide to Paris and our Normandy Travel Guide.

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