15+ Best Luxury Hotels in the French Riviera – Where to Stay on the Cote d’Azur

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The French Riviera is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world… but also one of the most overwhelming places to choose a hotel. From the grand belle époque palaces of Cannes and Nice to clifftop hideaways in Èze, intimate family-owned retreats in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and glamorous beach clubs in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the range of extraordinary places to stay is genuinely overwhelming. I’ve spent years exploring this coastline, staying at properties across the Riviera, and I know firsthand that the right hotel doesn’t just give you somewhere to sleep, it can shape your entire trip. This is my curated guide to the best luxury hotels on the French Riviera, from the addresses I’ve personally stayed at and loved, to the properties I recommend with complete confidence to anyone planning a trip to the Côte d’Azur.

Before You Book – What to Know About Staying in the Riviera

The French Riviera stretches along the southeastern coast of France from St. Tropez all the way to the Italian border, and where you choose to stay can shape your entire trip. In my opinion, Nice is the most practical base. It has the best transport connections, the widest range of hotels across every style and price point, and easy access to day trips along the coast. But with that being said, some of the most memorable Riviera stays are in the smaller towns – a clifftop hotel in Èze, a Provençal retreat in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, or a glamorous hotel in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. One thing to know before you book: July and August are the most popular months on the Riviera, and the best hotels sell out months in advance. If you have your heart set on a specific hotel, book early and don’t wait. Shoulder season – May through June and September – is almost always the smarter choice if you’re trying to avoid the crowds. The weather is still nice, there are smaller crowds, and there is more availability without peak season pricing. Finally, a practical note: on the French Riviera, breakfast, beach club access, and parking are almost always charged separately, so factor these into your budget before you book.

Throughout this post, hotels I have personally stayed at are marked with a ★.

1. Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel, Antibes

Tucked between two ports on the Cap d’Antibes peninsula, this intimate Relais & Châteaux property is one of the most architecturally distinctive hotels on the Riviera. Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel was designed as a tribute to the geometric houses of Palm Springs with white rendered walls, stone floors, and 35 rooms and suites each with their own private terrace or garden. The private sandy beach, with its panoramic views of the Lérins Islands and the Esterel mountains, is the heart of the hotel, and the Michelin-starred Les Pêcheurs restaurant makes dinner here an experience worth planning your evening around. Note that the hotel opens seasonally and closes in the winter months.

2. Chateau de Theoule, Theoule-sur-Mer

One of the newest luxury addresses on the French Riviera, Château de Théoule opened in 2024 in a building with a remarkable history. It was originally a soap factory dating to 1630, later converted into a private castle by a Scottish lord, and now reborn as a five-star hotel nestled between the red rocks of the Esterel massif and the shimmering Bay of Cannes. The 44 rooms and suites are spread across the original Château, an Art Deco villa, and a charming fishermen’s house, all with terraces or balconies facing the sea. The Michelin-starred restaurant Mareluna blends Italian, French, and Japanese influences into one of the most distinctive menus on the Riviera. And La Plage Blanche – the hotel’s private beach – makes leaving the property difficult.

3. Chateau Eza, Eze ★

Perched 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean in the medieval village of Èze, Château Eza is one of those hotels that stops you in your tracks the moment you arrive. The restaurant, suspended over the cliffside with an uninterrupted view of the sea below, is one of the most romantic dining experiences I have had anywhere in France. With just 14 rooms and suites spread across a cluster of medieval stone buildings, the intimacy here is unlike anything you’ll find at a larger Riviera property. If you are planning a honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply want to feel romance, Château Eza is your answer.

4. COMO Le Beauvallon, Grimaud

One of the most anticipated hotel openings on the French Riviera in years, COMO Le Beauvallon reopened in April 2026 after a meticulous restoration. The property is a Belle Époque palace that was first built in 1914 and has hosted everyone from Winston Churchill to Audrey Hepburn. The 42 rooms and suites are spread across the estate’s hillside gardens, with a 80+ foot mosaic pool, a private pontoon for yacht tenders, and a collection of over 300 contemporary artworks throughout the grounds and interiors. The signature restaurant, Beauvallon Sur Mer, blends Asian culinary traditions with the flavors of Provence and the Mediterranean in one of the most compelling new dining rooms on the Riviera. And the cherry on top is their complimentary eight-minute speedboat transfer that connects the hotel directly to the port of Saint-Tropez, making this the perfect base for exploring the western Riviera.

5. Domaine du Mas de Pierre Hotel Resort & Spa, Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Spread across nearly 20 acres of Provençal gardens at the foot of the ramparts of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Domaine du Mas de Pierre is a five-star Relais & Châteaux resort of a different character entirely from the grand coastal palaces. The hotel has 76 rooms and suites – each with their own private terrace or garden, a Garden of Scents designed by renowned landscape architect Jean Mus, and a hidden lagoon pool with a sandy bottom and waterfalls that feels like a private paradise. The 21,500-square-foot spa is one of the largest and most exceptional on the Riviera, with a herbal sauna, salt sauna, and snow cave; while the Bastide des Fleurs is reserved exclusively for adults and comes with butler service and its own heated pool. La Table de Pierre, the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant, draws on Provençal ingredients from the property’s own kitchen garden, making dinner here a farm-to-table experience in the most beautiful possible setting. Open year-round and offering a complimentary shuttle to the village, this is the most complete resort experience near Saint-Paul-de-Vence – and ideal for anyone who wants the Riviera without the crowds.

6. Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Perched on the tip of the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula and set within 17 acres of Mediterranean gardens, the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat has been the most coveted address on the French Riviera since 1908. The outdoor pool, accessed by a private funicular ride overlooking the Mediterranean, is one of the most breathtaking hotel amenities in all of France, and the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Cap, is worth a reservation even if you’re not staying. With 74 rooms and suites, an extensive wine collection, and the kind of Four Seasons service that makes you never want to leave, this is as close to perfect as a hotel stay gets. Note that the hotel opens seasonally and is not open in the winter months.

7. Hotel Belles Rives, Antibes

Built in 1929 on the waterfront at Juan-les-Pins, Hôtel Belles Rives is one of the most romantically storied hotels on the French Riviera. This Art Deco mansion was the former home of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda, and the legend of those glamorous years is woven into every detail of the place, from the Fitzgerald piano bar to the hand-painted plates in the Michelin-starred restaurant La Passagère. With 43 rooms and suites, each with its own panoramic balcony, it captures the golden age of the Côte d’Azur better than almost anywhere else on the Riviera. The combination of authentic 1930s Art Deco interiors, impeccable family ownership (the Estène-Chauvin family has run the hotel since 1929), and a genuinely intimate atmosphere makes this one of those rare hotels that feels like it belongs to a different era. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a character in a Fitzgerald novel, this is where you stay.

8. Hotel Cap-Estel, Eze

Set on its own private peninsula in Èze-Bord-de-Mer, suspended above the Mediterranean between Monaco and Cap Ferrat, Hôtel Cap-Estel is one of the most secretive and coveted addresses on the entire Côte d’Azur with just 20 rooms and suites with gardens, cascading fountains, and on a clear day, views stretching all the way to Corsica. The hotel’s history is as glamorous as its setting – from 1951 to 1993 it was a gathering place for the stars, from Greta Garbo to the Beatles, who reportedly found inspiration for their song “Michelle” here. If you are looking for somewhere that feels genuinely removed from the world – intimate, romantic, and private – this is it.

9. Hotel Chateau de La Chevre d’Or, Eze

La Chèvre d’Or is a grand, sprawling hotel that has been part of Èze since 1953. With 45 rooms and suites scattered throughout the medieval village itself, when you stay at La Chèvre d’Or, you’re not just visiting Èze… you’re actually living inside it. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant serves one of the most celebrated meals on the Riviera with panoramic views of the Mediterranean from every table, while the private cliffside gardens – accessible only to guests – are filled with hidden contemporary sculptures and some of the most breathtaking views of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat imaginable. Four restaurants, two pools, and that extraordinary setting make this one of the best hotel experiences in Èze. Please note, the hotel opens seasonally and is closed in the winter months.

10. Hotel Lily of the Valley, La Croix-Valmer

Perched on the hillside above the Plage de Gigaro just south of Saint-Tropez, Hôtel Lily of the Valley is the antidote to Riviera glamour. The property was designed by Philippe Starck who had one directive – the hotel must blend seamlessly with nature. The 52 rooms, suites, and pool suites are spread across several low-rise houses, each opening onto a large private terrace with panoramic views of the Mediterranean and over three miles of wild sandy beach below. Unusually for the Riviera, the hotel is built around a genuine wellness philosophy with tailor-made nutrition programs developed with consultant nutritionist Jacques Fricker, daily fitness activities from kayaking to sea wading, and a spa offering targeted treatments year-round. A member of Leading Hotels of the World and open every month of the year, this is the perfect Riviera base for anyone who wants beauty and nature over crowds.

11. Hotel Martinez, Cannes

A stunning Art Deco landmark on the Boulevard de la Croisette, Hôtel Martinez is the most iconic address in Cannes, and during the Cannes Film Festival every May, it becomes arguably the most glamorous hotel on the entire French Riviera. The Michelin-starred La Palme d’Or restaurant, is one of the finest dining experiences in the south of France, and the legendary La Plage du Martinez beach club with its iconic pier is where Cannes comes to see and be seen. With 410 rooms and suites spread across an impeccably restored Art Deco interior, a garden pool, and a spa by Carita, this is one hotel worth the stay.

12. Le Negresco, Nice

The most iconic building on the Promenade des Anglais and a classified Historic Monument since 2003, Le Negresco has presided over the Bay of Angels since 1913 with its famous pink dome and Belle Époque façade; and it remains to this day one of the last great independently owned luxury hotels on the French Riviera. The hotel’s 102 rooms and 26 suites each tell a different story, decorated with period furniture and over 6,000 artworks and sculptures that make the entire property feel more like a living museum than a hotel. The Michelin-starred Le Chantecler restaurant, the historic British-style bar, and a private beach directly on the Promenade complete one of the best hotel experiences in Nice.

13. Les Roches Rouges Hotel, Saint-Raphael

Tucked between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, Les Roches Rouges Hotel is one of the best-kept secrets on the French Riviera. It’s a mid-century modern building perched right at the water’s edge, with a natural seawater pool, two pools, a Mediterranean garden of pine trees and fig trees, and uninterrupted sea views from every room, restaurant, and terrace. The Michelin-starred restaurant Récif, serves locally sourced seafood with the sea directly in front of you, while the guinguette – a casual outdoor dining spot under the pine trees – captures the easy, sun-drenched spirit of the Riviera perfectly. Like many of the finest Riviera properties, the hotel opens seasonally and is closed in the winter months.

14. The Maybourne Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

Emerging from the rocky peninsula of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin between Monaco and Menton, The Maybourne Riviera is one of the most architecturally striking hotels on the entire Côte d’Azur as a modernist building suspended between sea and sky with sweeping views of the Mediterranean from every suite and studio, all with private balconies. The cliffside infinity pool overlooking the sea is extraordinary, and the hotel is home to four restaurants and La Môme Riviera beach club – one of the most glamorous and sought-after beach experiences on the Riviera. The Surrenne Riviera wellness destination, described as a next-generation longevity and wellbeing concept, adds an exceptional dimension that few other Riviera hotels can match.

15. Toile Blanche, Saint-Paul-de-Vence ★

Nestled in the Provençal countryside just outside the medieval walls of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Toile Blanche is the kind of hotel that makes you want to cancel your plans and stay forever. It is a family-owned property in the truest sense – intimate, personal, and with the kind of warmth and attention that no hotel chain can manufacture. The setting is beautiful with lush gardens, a stunning pool, and an unhurried pace that feels a world away from the bustle of the coast. If you are looking for privacy, beauty, and a genuinely personal experience on the French Riviera, this is where I would send you.

16. Zannier Ile de Bendor, Bandol

Just seven minutes by boat from the coastal town of Bandol, Zannier Île de Bendor opened on May 1, 2026 and is already one of the most talked-about hotel openings on the French Riviera in years. The 17-acre private island was originally created in 1950 by Paul Ricard – the Marseille-born pastis pioneer – as his personal vision of Mediterranean life. After five years of meticulous restoration by Zannier Hotels and the Ricard family, the island is open to visitors once again. this time as one of the most anticipated new hotel experiences on the Riviera. The 93-room property is spread across three distinct areas of the island, each with its own atmosphere and has nine dining venues, a holistic wellness centre, a beach cove, and a diving centre.

Don’t miss: The Best New Luxury Hotels Opening in France in 2026

Tips for Booking a Luxury Hotel in the French Riviera

Here are my best tips for booking a luxury hotel in the French Riviera…

• Book as early as possible – The best rooms at the most sought-after properties sell out months in advance, especially in July and August. If you have your heart set on a specific hotel or room category, don’t wait.
• Consider shoulder season – May, June, and September offer the best combination of warm weather, smaller crowds, and better availability. Many of the finest properties are also more accessible price-wise outside of peak summer.
• Check seasonal opening dates – Several hotels on this list are closed in winter. Always confirm opening dates before booking.
• Ask about views when booking – A sea-view room and a garden-view room at the same hotel can be significantly different in price and experience. Always contact the hotel directly or add a note to your reservation specifying your preference.
• Factor in what’s not included – On the French Riviera, breakfast, beach club access, and parking are almost always charged separately, and the costs add up quickly. Read the fine print before you book.
• Rent a car if you’re staying outside Nice – Staying in Èze, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, or Théoule-sur-Mer without a car significantly limits your flexibility. The Riviera’s most beautiful spots are not always well served by public transport. (Read my complete guide to renting a car on the French Riviera).
• Minimum stays apply in peak season – Many properties on this list require a minimum stay of two to three nights in July and August. Check the terms carefully when booking for summer.
• Packing – Not sure what to pack? My complete France packing list covers every season!

The French Riviera rewards those who choose well and I hope this guide makes that choice a little easier. Whether you end up sipping rosé on the terrace at Château Eza, or waking up to the sound of the sea at Hôtel Belles Rives, the Riviera has a way of making every stay feel like the beginning of something wonderful. If you’re still planning your trip and want to know what to do once you arrive, don’t miss my complete French Riviera bucket list – everything worth doing on the Côte d’Azur, from someone who has explored every corner of it. And if you’d like a personalized hotel recommendation based on your travel style and budget, reach out on Instagram, I love helping people travel France effortlessly!

Planning a French Riviera trip? Don’t miss…

• 5 Day French Riviera Itinerary – The Perfect Côte d’Azur Drive
• French Riviera Packing List

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