Les Roches Rouges, Saint Raphael, a Beaumier Hotel

"You can’t get any closer to the sea than this photogenic property built at the water’s edge in the 1950s. Transformed into a hotel in 2017, Les Roches Rouges is named for the red rocks in the surrounding Massif de l’Estérel. The original modernist building—reminiscent of a California motel—houses 44 balconied rooms that exude retro style: mini polaroids of vintage beach scenes are pinned to the whitewashed walls, 1950s pieces sit on the concrete floors, and there’s a pair of canvas chairs on the balcony, where views are a continuation of your room’s azure, ochre, and white color palette. Down below, a lap pool sparkles next to the natural seawater infinity pool carved from the rocks. The setting alone is enough to book a stay, but Les Roches Rouges also offers plenty to do onsite: games of Pétanque in the garden are followed by paddle boarding, vitality massages at the tranquil spa, and Levant Bleu cocktails at La Plage. The Michelin-starred Récif restaurant shows off the bounty of the Provençal larder with ingredients supplied by local farms and raphaëlois fisherman Olivier Bardoux. Part of Beaumier Hotels, a 10-property group named for a 19th-century French explorer, Les Roches Rouges will soon unveil an expansion in a neighboring building with an additional 25 rooms, gym, and rooftop." - Mary Winston Nicklin

"It’s the dazzling light that strikes guests the moment they step inside this stylishly revamped Fifties waterfront retreat. The brainchild of boutique group Beaumier, which teamed up with Paris-based design firm Festen for its first Côte d’Azur property, the concept is refreshingly straightforward: an easy-going hotel, right on the water, inspired by the colors of the shimmering cobalt Mediterranean and rusty orange rocks. Near-identical rooms all have whitewashed walls, polished-concrete floors, minimalist furniture and balconies with canvas butterfly chairs. But the real star attraction is the saltwater pool carved out of the rock, which spills over right into the sea. The freshwater lap pool is surrounded by sunbeds and waiters bearing trays of Rinquinquin, the local peach apéritif. There are two restaurants serving everything Provençal, from pissaladière (onion tart) to steamed cod with garlic mayonnaise and vegetables or roast lamb with rosemary. Teas of cream-filled tarte Tropézienne can be balanced with paddleboarding and kayaking. In each room there are also walking-sticks for hikes along the pebble beach, or a less strenuous wander to the Institut Esthederm spa for a mineral-packed tan-boosting treatment. Afterwards, laze in a hammock with a copy of Tender is the Night (F Scott Fitzgerald’s former digs are close by). —Lanie Goodman" - Lanie Goodman, Sarah James

"A unique and magical place within a waterfront hotel and with a roof terrace looking out over the Mediterranean and the Île d'Or. Chef José Bailly draws inspiration from the book Provençal Cuisine of Popular Tradition by the poet René Jouveau, a major champion of the Occitan language and culture. Everyday ingredients, such as locally caught fish, olive oil produced nearby, ewe's milk cheese and vegetables from the surrounding gardens, go into this cook's modern and delicious, occasionally inventive dishes, which he plates meticulously. Plants and seafood take centre stage: dentex, celeriac and Tamaris mussels with burnt rosemary; pigeon, cucurbit and verbena-infused onions... Poetic and creative." - Michelin Inspector

"Close your eyes. Tell us about arriving at the hotel.The minute I stepped out of the car, I felt like I needed to strap on a pair of handmade Spanish espadrilles and a Panama hat—there's something that feels stylish but effortless about Roches Rouges and, more broadly, St.-Raphaël, and the sensation hit me hard. Lovely. Who else was staying at the hotel?For decades, St.-Raphaël was that rare Riviera town that appealed more to families coming by car than to A-listers pulling in by boat. But since Les Roches Rouges reopened here in May 2017, you’re seeing more of the Missoni-draped vacationers you’d expect to find in nearby Cannes, than Peugeots packed with sand toys. Tell us about your room. Did it get you immediately into vacation mode?It was clean and bright—monastic, but stylish. The property hasn't exactly reinvented the wheel; the spare design is more meant to emphasize the proximity to the Mediterranean. Walls are white, as are the bed linens, and pendant lighting stands in for bedside lamps; bathroom countertops are marble, and there's abstract art hanging next to the shower. Between the garden view rooms and the sea view rooms, it's a pretty clear choice: the sea view classic rooms have an unobstructed view of the water, and 50 square feet of private balcony space where you can take your morning coffee. How were the bathrooms and products?I loved the Le Labo toiletries—they made me feel nice and fresh after a day down at the pool. But it's the HRR-branded candles I wanted to make off with: great aroma and a perfect memento. Very cool! What else does the hotel have?You'll want to dine at La Terrasse while you're there—the fresh, flavorful Provençale-inspired dishes, like lou mourre de gat (small, purple, stuffed artichokes) and ouprihoun e tóuteno (octopus, squid, seaweed) are ideal for when you're kicking around in the sun and sand all day—but it is closed for winter, and generally reopens in May. Grab an aperitif at the Terrace Bar before you head to dinner—Dean Shury's tipples aren't to be missed. Sold; would you recommend staying there, then?There's an unadulterated, though not overwrought sophistication to this hotel—it seeps out from the spare, Riviera-style design, the simple, locally sourced though elegant food, and the ability to laze around glamorously all day. IT's a 10 out of 10; would absolutely recommend." - CNT Editors

"Clémentine Larroumet has worked with iconic hotels such as Hôtel Les Roches Rouges on the French Riviera."