STYLE AND SELF-CARE: SAINT TROPEZ
From its humble beginnings as a remote fishing village, Saint-Tropez has transformed into one of Europe’s most adored playgrounds for pleasure seekers looking to delight in its high-fashion shopping, harborside dining, and chic, sun-drenched beach clubs. But there’s more to this Côte d’Azur town than its surface-level allure.
Of course, a stroll along the two parallel running streets of designer boutiques that run to the port shouldn’t be missed to peruse the latest collections from the houses of everyone from Louis Vuitton and Valentino to Balenciaga and Chloé—with an essential pit stop at the newly unveiled Café Dior by Mauro Colagreco housed within the manicured gardens of the Dior Maison. But neither should a trip to the Saint-Tropez market, which transforms the town square of Place des Lices every Tuesday and Saturday morning into a thriving hub of creative artisans and regional producers, where locals and visitors alike meander through tightly packed stalls sampling juicy olives from surrounding groves, perfectly ripe strawberries, and preserves made from family recipes passed down through generations while perusing handmade jewelry, linen shirts in pastel hues, and kitsch souvenirs.
Similarly, no trip to Saint Tropez is complete without experiencing one of its iconic beach clubs. Still, we’d skip the thumping parties for a more refined day in the idyllic surroundings of Gigi Ramatuelle. A fusion of Riviera finesse and Italian flair, this sophisticated oasis is designed as a family-centric space that doesn’t skip a beat on ensuring every guest is catered to, whether lounging by the pool, enjoying the lively energy of the restaurant, or watching little ones delight in the fun to be had in the garden-encased Gigi circus. Refreshing bellinis served to the sun loungers are the perfect way to begin before a 3pm lunch seating in the restaurant, where live acoustic sets build into a festive atmosphere without being over the top.
And for sunset dining, the new name to know in the Saint Tropez culinary scene is one Dubai residents are well versed with: Gaia. This celebrated Greek restaurant from acclaimed chef Izu Ani takes up residence at the poolside of the Hotel Tartane, bringing with it an intimate open kitchen, smooth live DJ sets, and a menu of unmissable dishes such as the delicate seabream carpaccio and deliciously creamy Greek yogurt ice cream. Beyond its beating heart, a wave of wellness retreats is making a case for Saint Tropez’s new frontier as a self-care haven. Leading the way is Lily of the Valley, a serene hilltop hideaway reimagining wellness on the Côte d’Azur in a way that’s science-backed but bathed in a considered, people-first approach. The resort’s heart is its Shape Club, a modern reimagining of the traditional health center, set over 2,000 square meters of state-of-the-art space immersed in nature, offering everything from Reformer Pilates to cryotherapy and accessible to non-hotel guests through day passes and therapies. Treatments here revolve around five core programs, but even if you’re not strictly following one, you can benefit from access to the treatments, all tailored to each guest’s needs. The 90-minute slim and firm pairs cupping therapy with pinching and massaging techniques to reduce cellulite and firm your figure, after which guests can access a Finnish sauna, a cold plunge, or simply relax by the pool, where fragrant scents of jasmine and pine add to the restorative feel.
LAID-BACK LOCAL CHARM: ANTIBES
Despite being the second most populous city after Nice on the French Riviera, there’s a sleepy serenity to Antibes. With its quaint cafes, hotels that feel like home, and cobbled streets where buskers belt out acoustic tunes, it feels like a time capsule, untouched by the ritzy hedonism that defines many of its Riviera neighbors. That’s not to say you won’t get a taste of five-star luxury here. A stay at the Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel, a boutique address of 35 rooms set on a private beach, is a design lover’s dream. Fusing influences from Palm Springs and the Mediterranean, it was redesigned by architect Bernard Dubois into a playful, geometrically striking space that feels both cinematic and inviting. Shadows dance in the light of the corridors and communal spaces, and hues of baby pink dictate the palette of everything from the retro, marble-clad bathrooms to the sun loungers and parasols that frame the pool and beach.
Checking into a sea-view suite means waking up to the sun streaming through your window, adding glitter to the bay and a glow to the gardens just beyond the balcony. Afternoons can be spent lazily dreaming away the hours on a lounger, and evenings promise a sorbet-hued sunset backdrop to round out the day. Much of the culinary action revolves around Baba, where a spherical beach bar and tables that spill from the terrace to the loungers on the beach provide a convivial atmosphere for both hotel guests and beach lovers to flit between the pool, sea, and sun loungers while sipping on bottles of locally produced wine and grazing on a menu that evolves with the Mediterranean sun.
There’s a sporty edge to staying here, too, that encourages guests to keep active, whether it’s heading out to sea on one of the hotel’s pedalos or hiring an electric bike parked outside to cycle the scenic Cap d’Antibes coastline. Or if you happen to check in over a weekend, the hotel’s running club takes off at 8.30am every Saturday from reception, providing a social way to experience the natural beauty and soothing landscapes of the local enclave. Whether you cycle, walk, or take a 10-minute taxi, the Old Town of Antibes is within easy reach and an essential addition to any French Riviera itinerary. Its densely packed streets, hugged by medieval walls, make it a charming spot to meander between cafes, museums, and casual family-run restaurants, dining alongside locals on hearty plates of steak frites as the sun sets.
GLAMOUR AND HIGH-ENERGY GASTRONOMY: CANNES
A destination that needs little introduction, Cannes has cemented itself as the destination du jour for global tastemakers and the jet set, with its stunning Croisette—peppered with iconic hotels—providing the backdrop for a glittering calendar of events. From the iconic film festival to Cannes Lions, this is where the who’s who of the film, music, modeling, and media worlds flock, both on- and off-duty. And when they do, the Hotel Martinez has been a treasured base for almost 100 years.
With its whitewashed facade and cascade of balconies gazing out to the Bay of Cannes, the grand exterior sets the tone, with the vibrant buzz of the Croisette seamlessly spilling into the lobby. A sparkling chandelier, opulent displays of fresh flowers, and the famed spiral staircase welcome guests with a statement-making arrival into the Martinez’s hypnotizing art deco grandeur.
The enigmatic buzz that fuels the lobby extends to the plethora of culinary concepts. At La Plage, directly opposite on the beachfront, a stretch of sandy beach is filled with lemon-striped loungers, luring guests for sun-soaked imbibing, while under a canopy of shade, guests dine in the restaurant, perched on Hollywood-style chairs backed by the monikers of the biggest names in the business to delight in fresh fish, grilled meats, and wood-fired pizzas. Back at the hotel, the Martinez Bar bottles up the retro glamour of the hotel’s storied past into a sultry drinking den where refreshing pre-dinner spritzes are best enjoyed on the terrace, while intimate corners inside, adorned in beautifully rich interiors of crushed velvet and lacquered wood, backdrop one of the French Riviera’s best margaritas.
One level above, the aptly named L’Oasis is the antithesis to the vibrant pulse below. A tranquil pool and stretching sun deck sit alongside beautifully landscaped gardens, where the fragrant floral scents of violet agapanthus and crimson-hued lucifer pair with melodic classical music to create a serenity that feels worlds away from the high-octane energy downstairs. For added rejuvenation, L’Oasis du Martinez-Spa by Carita, the famed Parisian skincare brand, is where guests can go for bespoke facials that combine rhythmic motions with a hydrating balm, serum, and mask combination to get guests fresh-faced and glowing—whether for a laid-back lunch or a red carpet moment.
Beyond the hotel, everything unfolds within a short walking distance, placing Cannes’ culinary and leisure jewels all within effortless reach. Along the Croisette beach, Le Plage counts names such as La Môme Beach, Annex, and Lucia’s among its glamorous neighbors, the latter a kitsch hotspot from Nikki Beach Hospitality Group, where clashing prints and retro parasols in red and emerald green florals add color and style to a restaurant and beach club that serves as a love letter to the quintessential Italian dolce vita. Dine on salads of juicy tomato and delicately seared tuna and a burrata that’s both light and creamy, listening to breezy beats that build as the afternoon goes on. The restaurant serves as a sun-drenched spot for leisurely lunches, while those on loungers on the sand can dip between the sparkling bay and plush loungers on the sandy beach.
Palm Beach is the beating heart of Cannes after-dark action, a magnificent members-club-meets-culinary destination where some of the biggest names in high-energy hospitality come together. Rooftop drinks with stretching views across Cannes are best enjoyed at Zuma, the modern Japanese izakaya now a staple on the culinary scene of the world’s most in-demand travel destinations. From there, a late-night seating at Medusa is an opportunity to delight in a sizzling open-air cabaret with high-octane performances that cover everything from Cell Block Tango to Nessun Dorma.
Securing such reservations for guests of the Hotel Martinez—particularly in high season—is the task of Gilles Pozzo, the celebrated concierge, and his team, on hand around the clock to secure Cannes’ most coveted spots and in-demand experiences, be it an Hermès store appointment, a private vineyard tasting, or a table at the second sitting of La Guérite.
Now all that’s left to do is decide which sort of chic, southern French holiday you want to enjoy.
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Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Supplied
