Our column "The Best Room At" offers a glimpse inside some of the most charming, luxurious, and iconic properties around the world.

While Saint Tropez has long been associated with flashy superyachts, champagne-soaked parties, and glamorous celebrities, a new five-star resort is successfully challenging the town's status quo. The concept? A wellness-style retreat nestled in the hills of Ramatuelle.

Designed by Philippe Stark, the 38-room resort Lily of the Valley opened in July of 2019 with the intention of being a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of Saint Tropez's marina and beach clubs.

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lily of the valley hotel

Lindsay Silberman

And while "wellness" in Saint Tropez might cause some to raise an eyebrow, the property is already a hit: rooms are going for 1200€ a night during high season, and the hotel was full all summer and into the fall.

Unlike some of the area's "see and be seen" properties, Lily of the Valley (a new member of Leading Hotels of the World) is an incredibly intimate escape, where guests can spend their days participating in any number of wellness-centric activities, like private yoga sessions, expert-led hikes, waterskiing, and more.

lily of the valley hotel

Lindsay Silberman

For those in search of a more leisurely experience, there are two sprawling pools (one with views of the Côte d'Azur) and a vast menu of spa treatments. And despite the hotel's focus on wellness, you won't find calorie-counted meals or tasteless "health" food—the cuisine is farm-to-table fresh, alongside plenty of indulgences, like wine and cheese (this is France, after all.)

Below, we chatted with the hotel's general manager Stephane Personeni. about which room he considers "the best," his favorite local recommendations, and more.

DESCRIBE THE HOTEL IN A SENTENCE.

Lily of the Valley is a family business combining quality, authenticity and know-how.

WHICH ROOM IS THE BEST?

The Lily Suite (#22), with its space organized as a house interior and its unobstructed view of the unspoiled bay of Gigaro.

lily of the valley hotel

Lily of the Valley

WHY?

Elegant and warm, an area of 100 square meters, offers a living area integrated directly to the bedroom. The all-marble bathroom is equipped with a tub and a walk-in shower. The Lily Suite opens out onto a 30 sqm private terrace looking out over the azure coastline.

WHAT'S THE AVERAGE NIGHTLY RATE?

During low season it's 600 €/night and during high season, it's 1200 €/night.

WHO IS YOUR TYPICAL GUEST?

Depends on the seasonality. In the middle of summer, we have very nice international and French guests attracted by the emblematic destination of Saint-Tropez, while wanting to rest in a rejuvenating place. We welcome so many people wishing to take a break from their professional lives, as well as couples wanting to visit Provence, and families seeking an environment to fully enjoy the activities on the beach, the Mediterranean Sea, and Cap Lardier.

CAN YOU MENTION ANY CELEBRITIES YOU'VE HOSTED?

Many french celebrities as Chefs (Cyril Lignac, Gilles Pudlowski), artists (Audrey Lamy, Jérôme Commandeur), CEOs, and Influencers (Bar Zomer).

lily of the valley hotel

Lindsay Silberman

WHAT'S ONE LOCAL RECOMMENDATION YOU ALWAYS GIVE FIRST-TIME VISITORS?

Gigaro beach, the Coastal footpath, the Famous Pampelonne beaches, Porquerolles Island, the Village of Provence (Gassin, Grimaud), and a visit to a winery in La Croix Valmer.

CAN YOU SHARE AN INTERESTING TIDBIT ABOUT THE HOTEL'S HISTORY OR SIGNIFICANCE?

At the beginning, Philippe Starck didn't want to work on French Riviera because it was too famous. But with time, he fell in love with the family project and the unspoiled nature of La Croix Valmer.

Lindsay Silberman is Town & Country's jetsetting Contributing Editor. She chronicles her travels on her blog and on Instagram, where she's created a community of more than 160,000 followers. Have travel question? Send her a DM!