There’s nothing like summer in Saint-Tropez. Whether arriving by land, air or sea, the jetset crowd flocks to this Riviera hot spot to soak up the sun in a port-side cafe, and even play a game or two of boules. Needless to say, Saint-Tropez a sizzling hotel and restaurant scene. A long-time favorite is the Résidence de la Pinède, a five-star hotel and Michelin three-star restaurant by chef Arnaud Donckele that’s a Saint-Tropez institution. La Pinède was acquired by LVMH in 2016 with plans to convert it into a Cheval Blanc hotel. And in the most recent news from the Cote d'Azur, LVMH has embarked on a multi-phase transformation project.
La Pinède opened the new season with a stunning new decor, conceived by celebrated interior architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. (He’s behind such talked-about projects as the Hotel Lutetia, newly reborn in Paris.) The lobby, spa and eight guest rooms were renovated, with the rest of the rooms and public areas expected to be completed next year. A contemporary design concept highlights the region’s exquisite natural light, the Mediterranean sea and works by Roger Capron, a ceramist from the town of Vallauris, where Picasso famously made ceramics.
In an interview in Les Echos, Wilmotte described what he loves about la Pinède: “It’s the only Saint-Tropez hotel with its feet in the water… with a beach which stretches the length of the property. Its magnificent pine trees, of course, and it’s also a maison, which offers exceptional service.”
The Résidence de la Pinède is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.