St. Tropez, France - Chateau de la Messardiere

A long time ago, I gave up on the dream of visiting the fairy tale castles in the children’s books of my youth. Then, this summer, I motored through the wrought iron gates and up the long, steep driveway to the four-turreted façade of the five-star Chateau de la Messardiere in St. Tropez. 

One of only twelve ‘palace’ hotels in France, the serene, oasis-like ambience of the Chateau de la Messardiere’s property is a stark contrast to the crowds and champagne-soaked nightclubs of the bustling port of St. Tropez (a five minute drive away via the hotel’s complimentary 24-hour shuttle service).

Set on a hill and encompassing 25 acres (including a birdlife reserve), the native umbrella pines and mile-high cypress give way to the azure sea and undulating vineyards. You can see it all from expansive windows, doors, balconies, and terraces.

My own room, one of 118 on the property, was an enormous suite decorated in Provençal style, with red terra cotta tiled floors, a canopy bed, sitting area, two full bathrooms, and a private balcony so large I could have held a cocktail party for 60 of my nearest and dearest.

The room rate was inclusive of a breakfast buffet to rival all breakfast buffets (treats ranging from fresh baked croissants, jelly-filled beignets, pastries, meats, cheeses, cereals, yogurts, crepes) and was held on the hotel restaurant’s outdoor terrace, which boasts a panorama so arresting I needed two hands to keep my coffee cup from trembling.

The hallmark of the hotel, should I be so bold as to name just one, was the attentiveness and absolute competence of the staff. Perhaps best summed up by my first morning at breakfast, when a waiter ran over and swooped a small footstool under my handbag to save it from having to endure the horror of resting on the ground beside my chair.

There is certainly no reason to ever leave the Chateau de la Messardiere. The property boasts a first-class spa, heated indoor pool and sauna, gym, outdoor pool, private beach with a beach restaurant, hairdresser, clothing shop, gourmet fine dining restaurant, poolside bar, British-style library bar, and rotating art exhibits and musical recitals. Should you want to venture off the property, however, the Golden Key winning concierge will attend to your every request.

My travel companion, a discerning and very critical individual, who is no stranger to some of the best luxury properties in the world, deemed the Chateau de la Messardiere, quite simply, “almost beyond description.” And yet I try.