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Astrid Taran, Forbes Staff
Forbes Vetted
A gem of the French Riviera, St. Tropez has long been a favorite coastal destination for those looking to soak up the sun and enjoy the vibrant nightlife. While there are dozens of elegant hotels to choose from in the area, the 35-room Arev St. Tropez, which opened in 2024, provides a taste of the area away from the crowds.
The first hotel in France’s Arev collection, this design-forward boutique property is one of the few hotels in St. Tropez that’s open year-round. It’s also pleasantly removed from more touristy areas—although not a far walk away from the storied beaches. I checked in to the hotel this spring to experience its stylish interiors and excellent service. Read my full review below.
Lobby at Arev St. Tropez.
Arev St. Tropez
Arev St. Tropez
Who Will Love It: Couples; friend groups
All-Star Amenities: Spa; outdoor pool; Dyson hair tools; Strand Champagne Lounge; transportation to local beach clubs via electric Mehari buggies
What Not To Miss: Dinner in the property’s wine cave among 300 bottles of wine
Location: St. Tropez, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France
All-Star Amenities
Designed by Spanish interior designer Luis Bustamante, a stay at the Arev St. Tropez feels like visiting a friend’s luxurious Riviera home. The property’s foyer is an airy salon with pops of nautical striped blues and ruby reds alongside vaulted ceilings and book-lined shelves that hide secret televisions. Check-in is completed casually on one of the many couches, where guests are welcomed with a refreshing beverage. The stylish interiors feel modern and playful, yet the bold colors don’t take away from the elegance of the space.
Pool at Arev St. Tropez.
Arev St. Tropez
The property is also home to a sprawling pool area, featuring one of the largest outdoor pools found in the city center. The inscription on the pool floor translates to “a dream in the sun”—a partial inspiration behind the hotel group’s name. In the property’s private plaza, La Place Des Oliviers, guests can partake in olive oil tastings presented by the hotel’s master gardener, as well as play padel on the nearby court. The fully equipped gym includes Peloton bikes and free weights, and the compact, on-site spa features two hammams and treatments like massages and facials, the latter of which saved my dehydrated skin after a long day of travel.
Rooms
I stayed in a Junior Suite, which is listed at 375 square feet. Despite the compact footage, the room felt very spacious, with a desk perched at the foot of the bed as well as a couch and table that was adorned with fresh flowers when I entered. Unlike the lobby area, my room’s color palette was more muted, with black and white striped materials front and center alongside cream and pops of gold.
Junior Suite at Arev St. Tropez.
Arev St. Tropez
I had truly excellent sleep here—despite ongoing stress over my delayed luggage—thanks to the room’s 500-thread count French bed linens and bespoke Hungarian goose-down duvet and pillows. There were many modern touches, like a contactless bedside charging station for my phone, Dyson hair tools and a Japanese Toto toilet. The spacious bathroom features heated towel rails, marble-topped vanities and French soaps from local brand Maison ST; the property also partners with this brand to offer perfume-making classes on-site.
Food And Beverage
The main restaurant on property is The Strand, which serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes, like citrus-infused tagliolini, baked turbot in fig leaves and roasted kumquats with cheese and za’atar. Every dish I had was delicious—and, unsurprisingly, the wine list of over 300 wines was fantastic—but dining at the restaurant was an experience in itself: An extension of the lobby, its bright, nautical atmosphere felt like a throwback to the 1960’s French Riviera.
The Strand Restaurant at Arev St. Tropez.
Arev St. Tropez
Right next to The Strand, I enjoyed pre-dinner (and post-dinner) drinks at Q’s Bar, with the hotel’s signature cocktail, the Zebra Negroni—made with gin, sweet vermouth and bitters—a particular favorite. Q’s Bar also features a selection of cigars, and I imagine it to be a great location for multiple couples or groups of bachelors to enjoy a few while sipping on a nightcap after dinner. Although I did not get to experience it during my stay (it’s only open seasonally), the property is also home to a Champagne lounge that’s located on the hotel’s terrace. Here, guests can lounge among the olive trees and sip rare bubbles from an antique trolley cart, which feels exceptionally chic.
What Not To Miss
During my stay, I got to experience a dinner in the property’s wine “cave,” a hidden room located downstairs from the lobby. Small and intimate, the space can be rented out by groups for private, candle-lit tastings guided by a sommelier. (Just make sure to bring a sweater, as it can get chilly.) I also spent some time at a few local restaurants: My favorite was the nearby Le Café, which features a Provençal menu, great drinks and a lively crowd that kept the party going until the wee hours, even during off-season. Although the restaurant is about an eight-minute walk from the property, the hotel also offers electric Mehari buggies that can transport guests anywhere in town.
How To Get There
The Arev St. Tropez is about a two-hour drive from the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), which is the closest international airport. It’s the airport that most Americans will fly into, often via a connection in Paris, London or Amsterdam.