Les Roches Rouges Hotel, Saint Raphaël, Beaumier
Hotel · Saint-Raphael ·
Mediterranean retreat with sea views, rock pool, and Provençal dining
Mediterranean retreat with sea views, rock pool, and Provençal dining
"Revamped with mid‑century cool, this 1950s waterfront stay adds 25 luminous sea‑facing rooms, a lap pool, a spectacular saltwater pool carved from rock, and an on‑the‑beach restaurant with sunbeds." - Lanie Goodman
"Built at the water’s edge against the red-rock Massif de l’Estérel, this photogenic 1950s modernist property offers retro-chic rooms with balconied sea views, a natural seawater infinity pool carved from the rocks, and a small lap pool on site. Its laid-back program includes pétanque, paddle boarding, vitality massages, and sunset cocktails at a breezy beach bar, while the Michelin-starred Récif showcases local produce and seafood sourced from nearby farms and a Raphaëlois fisherman; an expansion adding rooms, a gym, and a rooftop is forthcoming." - 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
