Inspiration for an Enchanting French Holiday is what we all crave after this eternal pandemic lockdown. One of our favorite Parisian Hotels, La Réserve has a sister property plopped above the sparkling turquoise sea on the Côte d’Azur, La Réserve Ramatuelle, on the Saint-Tropez peninsula. Magnificent heart stopping views over the Mediterranean, yet just a few minutes from the legendary village, lies a place away from the beach buzz, far from the coast crowds and noise. The French Riviera is known for its beaches, views, picture perfect water and summer yachts.
La Réserve Ramatuelle overlooks one of the most beautiful bays on the Côte d’Azur, with a spectacular view over the endless sea, a vast private estate nestled in the Provence garrigue (Mediterranean scrubland), lulled by the summer symphony of cicadas. What I would give to import these cicada creatures to my garden for a summer! It’s a world apart, suspended between sky and sea, fused with an exceptional natural environment.
The hotel is petite with only 28 rooms and 14 private Provencal style Villas. La Réserve Ramatuelle villas range from three to seven bedrooms, on the same estate as La Réserve hotel. All the villas and the hotel are facing the sea and surrounded by the Mediterranean wild hillside vegetation and Biblical age olive trees. We have focused on the private Villas, although if you are interested, we can share hotel information as well.
Suitable for family holidays each villa has its own private heated swimming pool, lush gardens and all the services of the hotel from private chefs to butler service on demand. The fully serviced villas are designed for guests to enjoy absolute privacy, while still enjoying access to all of the hotel’s facilities. They range from four to seven bedrooms in size, each with fully equipped kitchen, WiFi, cable TV, DVD and music system. Interiors are tasteful and contemporary with abundant space. Your personal housekeeper can organize anything you need, and private dining can also be arranged. The private gardens are secluded with terraces and views overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.
The estate is located 7 minutes’ drive to the Pamplonne St-Tropez beach and 15 minutes drive from the city centre. The heart at La Réserve is dedicated to relaxation. The most active you are likely to get is people watching in St Tropez. However, if you require movement, the concierge is more than happy to organize anything from golf to kayaking and chartering a boat for a day. You choose the level of escape you may need after this eternity at home. One of the Spa boot camp packages, dedicated to weight loss, involves quite rigorous Nordic walking through the local hills.
At the heart of a unique estate, each private villa provides access to all the resources of the La Réserve Ramatuelle Palace Hotel offering an opportunity to savor uniquely special moments: an exceptional spa, a fitness studio overlooking an infinite seascape, Nescens Boot Camps, a lounge bar, a refined Japanese restaurant and another that has earned two Michelin stars for its light and creative interpretation of southern cuisine.
Not to forget La Réserve à la Plage at Pampelonne. Location: just 10 minutes away lies Pampelonne Beach, made famous by Brigitte Bardot in the 1950’s and still the place to see and be seen on the Riveira, with several chic beach restaurants such as La Réserve à la Plage, a Philippe Stark-designed outpost of La Réserve Ramatuelle.
Nice airport is approximately 90 minutes’ drive; the hotel is an hour’s drive from Toulon airport. The nearest station is at St Raphäel, an hour’s drive away.
On the shoulder seasons, the villas are available from 2-nights stays (3-nights on weekends). In June a 1-week min stay is required. July/August the peak season, a 2-weeks min stay is imposed. There is some 2021 availability, but as you can imagine, these Villas have repeat guests every year. September/October is also a nice period to consider and requires a one week then 3 nights stays.
Kiddos: Expert in the art of delighting little ones, the team finds all manner of imaginative means in putting together a schedule of tailor-made activities in the villas, the surrounding area, at sea or on the beach for the kiddos. A treasure hunt through the winding Tropezian alleyways; a private cooking workshop with a chef; private paddleboard lessons and a picnic on a secret beach; horse riding on the peninsula’s trails; a mountain bike ride in the hills of Ramatuelle. Plenty to offer them unforgettable memories!
Dining: The Michelin-starred La Voile restaurant, with Chef Eric Canino at the helm, offers perfectly balanced healthy and flavorful dishes, with many ingredients drawn from his own garden at La Réserve and the local fishermen. Try the artichokes with herb dressing and crispy Corsican bacon or the roasted langoustine with lemon zest, citrus fruit and aloe vera marmalade before a main course of red mullet with roasted, mashed tomato with green lemon and onion tart pissaladière, for all the flavors of Provence.
On the rooftop, delicate Japanese sushi and gyozas are served under a ceiling of an endless blanket of stars. Or mosey in the hotel three-wheeler shuttle service in a complimentary ride to La Réserve à la Plageon at nearby Pampelonne Beach to enjoy zingy fresh dishes of ceviche and tartare to share, before a grilled catch of the day, under swinging straw lamps in Philippe Stark’s coolly designed beach club. Breakfast comes with homemade, gluten-free bread, fresh fruits and a variety of egg dishes to order.
Charming Cabana Lifestyle, happy days napping under the shade of reed screening, marvel at the passing boats and giggle with friends and family.
Long languid lunches, remember those? Afternoon dip followed by a snooze? La Réserve Ramatuelle is well schooled in the finer details of a luxurious lifestyle. Our La Réserve Hoteliers adore our clients!
Can you imagine yourself here next June or July? Se dépêcher, this won’t last!
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