48 Hours at the Byblos Saint-Tropez

Some people describe it as legendary, some as an institution. After my unforgettable stay I agree with both and conclude it as a one-of-a-kind experience - and finally it was the absolute highlight of my summer holidays! A real Leading Hotel of the World as it should be!

Saint Tropez, the capital of jetset has of course many many luxury hotels on relatively small space. I was always seeking to stay at the new Sezz or the Muse, both near Ramatuelle, and far from the old town of Saint Tropez. Due to the fact that I only had two nights to discover Saint Tropez, I knew I had to find an alternative. I wanted to go to the beach by hotel shuttle during the day and visit the town at night. So the only option was to look for a hotel in the centre. Therefore I came across the Byblos and I never regret this decision during my stay.

From the kind first "Bonjour" at the entrance, the experience continued by a very kind and smooth check-in by the so kind Barbara at the front desk. As they know how to manage a world class hotel, they upgraded me to a breath-taking Two Bedroom Seaview Suite and continued with treating me like royalty by serving a bottle of Rosé Byblos and homemade sweets - I was overwhelmed!

The style is typical for this part of the Cote d'Azur and I can assure that the Byblos is 100 per cent Saint Tropez, no minimalistic design nor unprofessional staff members. Of course the main highlight of the day was my Suite with a balcony overloooking whole Saint Tropez, the pool and the Mediterranean Sea of course. Upstairs there was another bedroom with twin beds, en-suite bathroom with shower and a completely new Samsung LED-TV with the function to connect your mobile device. On the main floor of this Deluxe Suite, a large living room with writing desk was connected by a sliding door to a master bedroom with oversized King abed and en-suite bathroom and double basins. The only toilet was situated next to the entrance of the Suite.

The concierge was extraordinary and reserved a table at a fabulous new Retaurant called "Le G" and made it possible to get sunbeds on Club 55, without having lunch there (Normally impossible during the high season)! The shuttle goes to every beach you want to go and whenever you want to go. When we arrived at Club 55 we were given one beach bag each with two towels, provided by the driver of the Byblos.

The breakfast comes with a picturesque terrace, perfect service and pool views. The buffet is well selected with high quality products and the best: it is served until 12 noon! That's amazing, isn't it? And welcomed as well, after a typical Tropezian night in one of the world renowned clubs. Unfortunately the glamorous Le Caves du Roy was not open on weekdays so we could not attend one of the dazzling party nights there. Instead we enjoyed a late-night dinner on the harbor in a very chic restaurant, followed by a drink on the terrace of Byblos' B-Bar. 

Finally, the Byblos is simply a gorgeous place. I love this hotel and will return there again soon.

We would like to thank the Byblos Hotel Saint Tropez and Groupe Floirat for the generous special offer and the amazing suite upgrade.

24 Hours at the Majestic Barriere Hotel

I arrived to this hotel without any expectations as I had a rateof 75€ per night for a Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite, which would normally cost approximately 3.000€ per night. Of course breakfast was included. As always you have some second thoughts if they do not accept this rate, so it is always better to ask experts. So did I and insisted to get the Suite at the booked rate. 

At arrival we were warmly welcomed and accompanied to the Lobby. After check-in, which was very fast and kind, I was greeted by the Asisstant Manager and told that the room was ready at 2.00 pm. So we went to the Rue Antibes, the more affordable option to the La Croisette.

When I returned to the hotel at 4.00 pm I was asked for a confirmation and a very kind front desk employee showed me to the luxurious Suite. Unfortunately it was an old Suite and not like expected in the new part of the hotel, but who is discerning at this unbelievable rate? After a few minutes we got a tray of welcome amenities including Macarons, Chocolate, bottled water, apple juice and a fruit plate. The view was so impreesive that we bought some food in a local goods shop and had dinner on one of the most impressive terraces we have ever stayed at, of course with Lounge Music from the Fouquet's Restaurant and beside the breath-taking views over La Croisette and the Palais de la Festival. This might sound like a Fairytale ... in fact it was supposed to be the highlight of the trip (which was topped by the lovely and superb Byblos Saint Tropez)!

The music got more silent around 11.00 pm and when we went to bed at midnight there was nearly mo noise from the terrace on the pool.

The suite itself was about 90 square metres with two bedrooms, both with spacious bathrooms ensuite and of course sea view terraces, too. The bathroom was really old-fashioned with only two large towels, hotel-own toiletries and a very small toilet room where you had to keep the door open while seating on the toilet. The worst of all was, that turndown-service has been forgotten and when they came, after I called them, they just brought chocolates and put the bed in correct order - no water, nor did they replace the towels or toiletries.

Breakfast was very disappointing for this kind of category, the normal price, reputation and location. The breakfast is served until 10.30 am but the buffet was not replaced although there were still many guest in the restaurant at 10.45. This would have been a nice touch. 

When we checked out we received a totally correct bill and a very competent female staff (sorry I did not see the name tag) was doing the check out. The bellmen did a great job and were very kind, too.

In fact it was a really great experience but when I have to pay the normal price, I would insist to get a new room or stay at another Luxury Hotel on the Croisette.

Anyhow I would like to thank the Management of the Majestic Barriere Hotel for the nice amenities, the warm welcome and hosting me at this special price. Our above written review is our personal opinion and hasn't been influenced.

24 hours at the Hotel Hermitage in Monte-Carlo

Alright, to be honest, the start of my stay was not the best and I would describe it as chaotic amyhow! When we arrived we were greeted by the whole bellmen team and directly accompanied to the front desk by a young trainee who was shouting with one bellman in front of us! Then she checked-us-in and immediately informed us that the room is too small for 3 guests! She told something from Junior Suite and then anything from Superior Room again and 130 Euros. After this chaos - we did not know what happened - she continued with filling out the passport information, gave us invalid Cercle cards and informed us that the room will be ready at 3.00 pm (it was 1:00 pm). In fact we wanted to go to the beach but this wish was gone immediately! Then she told us to leave a number, she will call us. Of course nobody did!

At 2:00 pm I went back to the hotel and I was told by Mrs. Olga, one of the very efficient staff members, the room will be ready within 15 minutes. It was indeed and we finally could refresh ourselfs and went to the beach!

The resorts own shuttle brought us to the famous Monte Carlo Beach within 15 minutes and we just enjoyed the nice weather and the amazing view of Monte Carlo until 6 pm when every guest was kicked out in a friendly way - they just closed the access to the sea!

Back to the hotel, our room, which was upgraded, was really luxurious and smelled very good! The bathroom was very generous with seperate shower and tub, Bulgari toiletries and double basins as well as seperate bidet and toilet! The beds are really good and we got some Laduree macarons and bottled water as a welcome gift!

Breakfast is served in the Mezzanine floor overlooking the courtyards and Gustav Eiffel's winter garden. The service at breakfat was excellent and the buffet large, the products excellent and very fresh! They have a live cooking and the employees serve your breakast choice directly to the table!

At check-out they gave me a bill with the accommodation including breakfast and anther 90 euros for two additional breakfasts. Upon asking why they charged me for breakfast the front desk employee told me that I invited some guests and she has to charge me know. I got really angry at this point and asked for the Front Desk Manager. When she arrived they seemed to be very rude and finally cancelled my breakfast bill. What a shame for this hotel and a Leading Hotels of the World member???

I will give the so "famous" SBM Monte Carlo Company (they own the world famous Casino, Hotel de Paris, Cafe de Paris, Monte Carlo Beach as well as the Hermitage) a second chance by a future stay at their Hotel de Paris, but the Hermitage is definitely not my kind of hotel since they seem to only employ cheap (trainees) at the most important part of a hotel: The front desk.

Next time I will also try to test the Hotel Metropole, to see if this is a common happening in the small country or if it was a unique issue. 

The "Société des Bains de Mer" provided us a very special rate at the Hotel Hermitage, but we did not feel welcomed throughout our stay. Our above written review is our personal opinion and hasn't been influenced.

Insider's Getaway - Villa Marie

If you ever wished to spend your holidays on the French Riviera or more precisely in the town of Saint Tropez, you might be impressed of this hidden gem.

Located on a wonderful hill, overlooking Saint Tropez and Ramatuelle, the Villa Marie is just the ideal place for all those seeking for peace, harmony and the pure charm of the Provence. With just 42 rooms and suites it offers an intimate feeling of a private country house. The complimentary shuttle service brings you to the center of Saint Tropez within 10 minutes. The famous beach of Pampelonne is just 4 km away from the Villa, but you will immediately feel of holidays when relaxing in the picturesque garden or on the cool shaped outdoor pool.

There is no room like the other, with different fabrics and little touches everywhere you look - this is a real boutique hotel like it can only be found in Southern France.

Beside the wonderful architecture you won’t miss the undoubtedly excellent service, too. Feel free to book your journey to one of Saint Tropez’s finest hotels. http://www.villamarie.fr