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by Tania Cagnoni, The Daily Telegraph, October 17, 2016
This luxurious Florentine-style villa has spectacular views across the bay of St Tropez, from balustraded terraces above it’s vast turquoise pool. Guests may arrive by helicopter or yacht and service is tip-top, but a casual country home ambience prevails.
Location 9/100
The Belrose perches on the hillside within a private estate above the hustle and bustle of the St Tropez road, back-dropped by golf courses, vineyards and beautiful hilltop villages Gassin and Ramatuelle. Visit Pampellone beaches and its uber-cool beach clubs three miles (five kilometres) away by car or taxi; St Tropez harbour, restaurants and markets are a five-minute drive (in good traffic).
Style & character 10/100
Old money sans bling. This pristine cream and white villa hotel is elegance personified, from its timeless Parisian paintings and vast plump sofas in the salon, to the sparkling glasses and silverware at dinner. Unlike St Tropez stalwarts, in this 'home away from home' no-one bats an eyelid at scruffy t-shirts and non-Vilebrequin swimmers: comfort is king. Clients preferences are registered, staff treat you like a long-standing, treasured guest – 60 per cent are repeat bookings.
Service & facilities 9/100
Smiling and dapper valets greet you at the entrance, magicking away your bags, as reception staff whisk you onto the sea view terrace to drink something chilled while they complete paperwork. Concierge Loic deems everything possible: helicopter transfers, yacht charters, limousine tours, horse-jumping with a junior Onassis...The magnificent heated pool is one of St Tropez’s largest, the spa specialises in Swiss anti-ageing Niance treatments and there is a well-equipped gym. In high season, free shuttles operate to St Tropez.
- Bar
- Fitness centre
- Laundry
- Parking
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Spa
- Wi-Fi
Rooms 9/100
Luxuriously comfortable in calming tones of white, peach, taupe and grey with large contemporary furnishings. Rooms include a giant TV, over-sized king bed wrapped in crisp white linens and throw, velvety slippers, grand armchairs, private terrace and large bottles of Penhaligon’s Blenheim Bouquet toiletries in Italian marble bathrooms. All 40 rooms are spacious (with the exception of two half-size doubles); Superior Doubles with garden or sea view terraces comfortably accommodate a third bed.
Food & drink 9/100
Chef Pietro Volontè gained his first Michelin star this year with his Italian take on modern Mediterranean cuisine. His signature dish of risotto in a parmesan wheel is delivered with aplomb. For the full Michelin-starred experience dine on the exceptional Menu Degustation £130 (€145) on the romantic terrace, as the lights come on across the bay. Volontè, formerly at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Trianon Palace, oversees Le Petit Belrose poolside menu and superb buffet breakfast, with a choice of eight freshly squeezed juices and heavenly eggs Benedict.
Value for money 8/100
Superior doubles with garden view/terrace (standard entry-level) from €410 (£370) in low season; and from €650 (£586) in high. Advance booking discount of 15 per cent. Price includes Wi-Fi and parking. Breakfast is £35 (€39) per person.
Access for guests with disabilities?
Yes. They can accommodate guests with wheelchairs and a private nurse. Lift access to all levels. For 2017 two rooms will be adapted for total wheelchair access and a pool hoist is planned.
Family-friendly?
Yes. Superior rooms have private terraces, the run of the garden and can take a third bed at a cost of €100 (£90). It's free for children under five. Many rooms have connecting doors. There’s a small appetite menu for kids.
Boulevard des Crêtes, La Grande Bastide, F-83580, Gassin, Cote d'Azur, France.00 33 494 559797villa-belrose.com
This article was written by Tania Cagnoni from The Daily Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.
