French Riviera
Hotels
Region Guide
The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) stretches along the southeastern coast of France. Its biggest cities are Nice and Marseilles, and major resort towns include Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Antibes. It’s also full of picture-perfect villages and old medieval towns like Èze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Grasse, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and Cassis, some of which are right on the coast, while others are more inland in the hilltops.
Antibes:
A well-known French Riviera town that’s within close proximity to the lovely hilltop villages of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Vence, Cagnes-sur-Mer, and Biot.
Cap Ferrat:
A peninsula just outside Nice with close proximity to the lovely villages of Villfranche-sur-Mer, Èze, and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. This part of France is just so beautiful.
Cannes:
Famous glitzy city known for the Cannes Film Festival. It has a nice beach and beautiful bay with big marina, and you can rent a boat for a day and go to nearby islands. It’s in a great location and well positioned if you want to explore the coast — you can drive to St. Tropez for a day, go to Antibes, explore Provence. Very high end, lots of hotel options, great restaurants, lots of designer shopping. All that said, it’s not our first choice to stay at, because it feels like a big city and lacks that charm and privacy.
Nice:
Another big city that’s very centrally located for exploring the Riviera. You’ll fly in/out of Nice and there are lots of great restaurants, markets, and museums here, so definitely worth a visit. That said, it’s also not our first choice, because it’s a big city; however, it is very convenient and great if you want something super walkable and lively.
Hotels
Antibes & nearby:
Château Saint-Martin & Spa*
Nestled in the town of Vence in the hilltops overlooking the coast, this luxe resort is surrounded by 34 acres of private Mediterranean gardens and features an infinity pool and Michelin-star restaurant. You get a Provençal-style experience of being in the vineyards plus amazing views, and it’s more affordable than staying on the coast. You’re a short drive down to the beach clubs of Antibes and Cannes and surrounding wineries, and you’re also 15 mins from the super cute town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence with lovely restaurants and art galleries.
Hôtel Belles Rives*
Located in Antibes, a lesser-known gem with that classic ‘50s Riviera vibe and traditional design right on the water. This spot is more under the radar, and very lovely. Feels very European, and gorgeous sea views and walkable to town. Sister hotel is the 4-star Hôtel Juana.
Hôtel Juana*
Nice 4-star option in Antibes, family friendly, has a pool and is within walking distance to the beach and town. Standard yet comfortable rooms with contemporary style.
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc*
Legendary 5-star luxury hotel in Antibes that’s usually fully booked, so hard to snag a reservation. Hôtel Belles Rives is a great alternative.
Additonal:
Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel | Château Le Cagnard* | Hôtel Le Saint Paul* | Le Domaine Du Mas De Pierre*
Cannes & nearby:
Hôtel Martinez*
Beachfront resort in a classic building that’s part of the Hyatt brand, recently renovated, with a beach club and restaurant. A fun place to be. Not a secluded beach, but very accessible and easy. Nice freshly renovated rooms with big marble bathrooms, some with sea views and natural light. High-touch experience with good service. Very walkable to everything.
Carlton Cannes*
Another beachfront hotel in a classic building that’s been around for years, very legendary, recently renovated — just reopened in spring 2023. Super classic and beautiful hotel with amazing views. Feels very “South of France.” Also very walkable to everything.
Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic*
Closer to the old part of town, a super charming area of Cannes. A bigger hotel, rooms are a bit mismatched and overall just okay, but still comfortable. Great hotel to consider if you want a trusted hotel brand — Barrière is a French group with many 5-star and 4-star hotels throughout France — at a reasonable price point. Tip: Book a room on the higher floor — they’re more recently renovated and have more natural light and better views.
Terre Blanche*
Great for families and golfers. Located 45-mins outside of Cannes, this resort backs up into Provence and feels like a country retreat. Fun fact, it used to be a Four Seasons years ago. If you’re a golfer, this hotel is a must — they have a major golf course. All rooms are suites, so very family friendly, plus they have a kids club and multiple pools.
Le Mas Candille
Great for couples. Located 20-mins outside Cannes in the small village of Mougins, this is an owner-operated countryside retreat that’s lesser-known and very charming. Smaller hotel that’s more reasonably priced than your typical glitzy beachfront resort. More nature, more boutique, great food and wine, the owner is fantastic and they have interesting art.
Additional:
Five Seas Hotel Cannes* | Belle Plage
Cap Ferrat & nearby:
Hôtel Royal Riviera*
Really wonderful hotel. It’s beautiful and classic, with a big pool has its own sandy beach, which is very rare on the Riviera. Very family friendly and good for couples too. Located in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat which is a super cute town, you wan walk to great wine bars and restaurants. There’s also a lovely path that rings around the peninsula which is great for walks.
Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat*
A Four Seasons property at the tip of the Cap Ferrat peninsula, very famous. Kid friendly, has Riviera character, relaxed hospitality. Multiple buildings, one is traditional, one is contemporary. Huge swimming pool area that you take a funicular down to, and it has sea access via a set of stairs down to the ocean, but most people stay by the pool. They have a kids club. All rooms are stunning, some with private plunge pools. Entry level rooms book up very quickly, so book well in advance.
Cap Estel*
A secret spot not too many Americans know about. Down the coast slightly from the Cap Ferrat peninsula, a gorgeous hotel on its own peninsula. Great spot for couples and wedding buyouts, has that “wow factor” for a honeymoon. Rooms are lovely, more contemporary.
Château Eza*
In the steep hilltop medieval village of Èze with dramatic views over the coastline. Really breathtaking location with romantic old-world charm. It has just 14 guest rooms, most with fireplaces and private balconies and all with modern amenities. Note that all rooms are different and a bit quirky, so not for everyone. Good for couples, not so much for kids. Recommend no more than 2 nights here since you’re pretty high up on a windy drive. The village of Èze is definitely worth a visit, there’s also a super famous restaurant called Chevre d’Or, quite fancy, or its more casual sister restaurant Les Remparts, both great for lunch with a view.
Additional:
Château de la Chèvre d'Or* | The Maybourne Riviera* | Monte-Carlo Beach*
St. Tropez & nearby:
Lily Of The Valley*
Wellness-focused oasis just 30 minutes outside of town in Saint Tropez in Croix-Valmer. The location offers peace and calmness away from the buzz of Saint Tropez, but also allows people to easily experience the town for a day trip, at a lower price point. It’s a little more oriented toward couples and honeymooners, but families can stay as well. The design is more contemporary.
La Réserve Ramatuelle*
Located in Ramatuelle, this property is a home run — expensive, hard to get into, but anyone who goes falls in love. Sitting up on a cliff looking right out onto the sea and surrounded by greenery and lavender, the property offers serene isolation, but it’s actually just 20 minutes outside Saint Tropez. The design is as gorgeous as the setting with ‘70s modernist architecture. It has a wellness focus, but a shuttle can take you to and from town if you want a little more activity. There are also villas available but they are very expensive.
Additional:
Hôtel Lou Pinet* | Pan Dei Palais* | Château De La Messardiere* | Cheval Blanc Saint-Tropez* | Hôtel Byblos Saint-Tropez* | Althoff Hotel Villa Belrose* | Ultimate Provence Hôtel* | Villa Marie* | Château De Berne* | La Villa Douce
Nice:
Hotel du Couvent*
A new Marriott Luxury Collection property in Vieux Nice (Old Town), this boutique hotel is housed in a restored 17th-century convent, with terraced gardens and comfortable rooms draped in natural, earthy tones.
Hôtel Negresco*
The grande dame of Nice hotels, with classic, old-school Riviera vibes.
Additional:
Hôtel La Pérouse* | Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée* | Anantara Plaza* | Hotel Amour (more boutique)