For a relaxed, elegant hotel in one of the prettiest areas of the South of France, we recommend a visit to Chateau St Martin and Spa in Vence.
The Cote d’Azur is full of quaint, pretty villages, each as idyllic as the next. One such village is Vence, a 30-minute or so drive from Nice along meandering, picturesque lanes.
Continue a little further uphill from Vence and you arrive at the stately entrance of Chateau St Martin and Spa, sister hotel to the infamous Hotel du Cap Eden Roc (and also Le Bristol in Paris, Palais Namaskar in Marrakech and now Eden Rock St Barths, among other hotels in the Oetker Collection).
You go to the Hotel du Cap for your face to be seen; here, you revel in the calmness, the anonymity and the enormous sense of space.
A true Provencal dream, the Chateau St Martin abounds with a formal, yet modern, elegance that could only really work in the South of France.
Dramatic architecture, elaborate floral displays and attentive service help to create a relaxed formality.
Sit by the gorgeous pool; play tennis on one of the clay courts; enjoy a fabulous massage at the Sisley Spa (I did); or just sit on the terrace of your deluxe junior suite with a bottle of wine admiring the view (guilty, again).
The rooms could be a little more exciting for my liking; while pretty, the muted tones and pastels can look a little too Provencal; but that’s what you’re here for, and I would thoroughly recommend booking a junior suite with terrace as it made the world of difference during our stay.
One of my favourite moments during my stay at Chateau St Martin was sitting in the lush gardens near the pool area, where I’m told the outdoor restaurant L’Oliveraie has just had a pizza oven installed (I was there too early in the season) – ideal for those summer days spent lounging by the pool.
Surrounded by gorgeous greenery with the sun shining on your face, it is just heavenly.
For those who need a little more privacy, there are 6 villas ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms, which, although give you more space, do leave you a little removed from the hotel.
A car will, however, collect you whenever you want and these villas are ideal for families.
The main restaurant, Le Saint Martin, which offers Mediterranean cuisine with a French focus, has impressive views of the surrounding area from Chateau St Martin’s elevated position; but the best tables are on the large adjoining terrace, which is classic Cote d’Azur.
Book with Bon Vivant Travel
Chateau St Martin is a Virtuoso property, therefore all Bon Vivant Travel’s clients will receive fabulous benefits such as an upgrade, free breakfast, $100 dining credit and a VIP amenity – contact us now!
