The best hotels for VIPs in Côte d'Azur

First on our list of the best hotels for VIPs Côte d’Azur-style is Saint-Tropez’s La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa & Villas. Here, all guests have a choice of staying in a luxury suite or your own secluded villa, the latter of which offers a home-away-from-home style of living with a fully-equipped kitchen and ample space to properly settle in.  

The best VIP villa is Villa 17, which even comes with a private butler who will deal with any requests you may have, whether it’s something small like extra toiletries or a larger request like booking you in for a massage at the on-site spa. These villas also come with your own private pool looking out at breath-taking vistas of the Mediterranean Sea.  

The VIP experience continues out in the resort spaces too, especially at La Voile, the resort’s signature Michelin-star restaurant serving up all sorts of gourmet French delicacies made from only the finest ingredients, including caviar, Wagyu beef, bluefin tuna, and lobster tails. And remember, the five-star experience is never complete with a bottle of champagne (or two). 

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat’s Royal-Riviera Hotel is everything you imagine the Côte d’Azur to be – and so much more. Every inch of the hotel screams deluxe, from the elegance of your private suite to the lush poolside gardens where a waiter will bring you another cocktail whenever your glass empties. The staff here always go above and beyond to make sure your trip is exactly what you wanted it to be.  

There are plenty of R&R options to keep your days ticking over nicely too, especially at the premium wellness centre, perfect if you fancy a morning workout before breakfast or a relaxing massage if holiday exertion isn’t really your thing (who can blame you?). Or if you fancy a day on the sands, head down to the hotel’s private beach to soak up the sun or try out a few water sports.  

Whatever you do, just make sure you book a table at La Table du Royal for dinner at least one of the nights. Led by Michelin-star chef Alain Parodi, you can expect nothing but high-quality exquisite food.  

Next on our list of the best hotels Côte d’Azur edition is Five Seas Hotel Cannes. Located right at the heart of Cannes, this is the perfect choice for holiday-goers wanting to split their time between chilled beach days and exploring the city’s must-see sights and landmarks. 

For the best VIP room, we recommend staying in the three-bedroom Presidential Suite – as you can tell from that name alone, any guests staying here will be looked after extremely well. The suite itself ticks all the boxes, including having high-tech amenities like a glass jacuzzi and extra-special views of Notre-Dame de Bon Voyage, Cannes’ stunning 19th-century church. You’ll spend all day people-watching its tourist crowds and admiring the impressive Gothic-style architecture.  

There’s plenty to do around the hotel too. For a spot of TLC, head to sanctuary-like Five Seas Hotel Spa or top up your tan on the pool terrace taking in the city’s bustling atmosphere. 

Take your luxury experience further with the most expensive hotels in Côte d'Azur.  

Cannes’ Hôtel Martinez by Hyatt is ultra-luxe at its finest. The whole resort is teeming with 1920s art-deco glamour, especially in the 5,382ft² Penthouse Suite offering panoramic sea views out on your private balcony. The whole place feels uber-romantic, making it the perfect room for honeymooners or loved-up couples wanting a weekend away together.  

It’s not just the design and style of the hotel that’s five-star, there’s a lot of substance to the proceedings too, like its choice of three restaurants to dine at, including the La Palme d’Or which boasts not just one Michelin star, but two. We recommend dining here alfresco on a warm summer evening when you can admire beautiful ocean views peeking through gently swaying palm trees. You’ve never experienced French paradise quite like this! 

Last on our list is Hôtel Barriére Le Majestic. While you adults receive the five-star treatment, it’s your kiddos who’ll be treated like kings and queens the most. In fact, the hotel’s younger guests are known as V.I.Ks (Very Important Kids).  

When they’re not busy in the kid’s room playing video games or watching DVDs, they’ll be taking part in the activities at the kids' club known as Le Studio by Petit VIP. Here the staff encourage them to have fun and get creative by running workshops and lessons in dancing, cooking, photography, and so much more.  

And whilst the kiddos are lapping up their own luxury, you enjoy some exclusive adult-only time, like a heavenly body treatment at Spa Diane Barrière, renting jet skis on the hotel’s private beach, or simply unwinding in the pool with a refreshing mojito. Whatever you need or desire, just politely flag down a member of staff and they’ll tend to your needs. They don’t want you lifting a finger! 

For a ritzy VIP experience, spend a debauched night in one of Côte d’Azur’s many luxury casinos found across its upmarket cities. Although you’ll find plenty of options across the entire French Riviera, we think the best casinos can be found in Monaco’s world-famous gambling and entertainment complex known as Monte Carlo Casino.  

Here you’ll find an abundance of impressive grand-scale casinos, each boasting lavish decor, showy cocktails bars, and a variety of casino games to choose from. This is the best place for that supreme James Bond-esque type of glamour! How do you like your Martini? Shaken or stirred?  

For a summer trip to the Côte d’Azur, we recommend packing all the typical holiday items, like casual shorts, t-shirts, dresses, swimwear, and flip-flops/sandals. Also make sure you have a few smarter, more formal outfit choices too, especially if you plan on visiting upscale bars and restaurants. 

If you’re visiting in the cooler winter months, it’s best to prepare your wardrobe for slightly chillier weather. From December to January, temperatures average at only around 10ºC, so make sure you pack plenty of jackets, coats, and trousers.