Lily of the Valley

I’m just back from a few days in the Côte d’Azur and boy, did it make me fall in love with France again. That possibly had something to do with the incredible hotel I was staying at, Lily of the Valley, which has to be seen to be believed. Located in La Croix Valmer on the French Riviera, you are a short drive away from St Tropez, close enough to the action if you wish to dip your toe in but with enough space between the two that gives you plenty of rest and relaxation when back within the warming cocoon of the hotel.

Designed by famed French designer Philippe Starck, this 53-suite and villa hotel is open all year round and focusses on your wellbeing, with an incredible 2,000sqm space for fitness, wellness and nutrition and programmes for indoor and outdoor activities. Although this hotel suits the whole family (the main pool by Vista is the only one that accepts children), we found most of the guests to be on a bit of a wellness kick. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy their alarmingly generous cocktails, just that the gym and Shape Club programme seems to attract young couples and those with young babes who are perhaps looking for their holiday to have a splash of detox about it.

The food is incredible, whether that be in their Vista restaurant or shuttled down to their Beach Club on Gigaro Beach in relaxed Pépé or their Italian option, Brigantine. We were particularly surprised by the unbelievable food that came on the Wellness menu at Vista, designed daily for those looking for that ‘Summer Body’ or ‘Detox’ programme, the chef whips up the freshest ingredients, all perfectly balanced to suit your nutritional needs. We got to enjoy the freshest tuna tartare followed by the most delicious summer vegetables (all the food is sourced within a certain radius from the hotel).

Guests can enjoy the fine sandy beach of the “Plage de Gigaro” beach club, soaking up the rays and enjoying the complimentary use of the beach sunbeds (not always a given in the South of France). Rent one of their electric bikes and explore the hills of La Croix Valmer, visit neighbouring vineyards or, do as we did, spending your days with an ice-cold glass of rosé, overlooking the pool.