With a lofty reputation as one of the most prestigious hotels on the French Riviera, Chateau de la Messardiere has a lot to live up to. All too often, establishments with massive reputations often fail miserably to live up to the hype. But this time, my stay far exceeded even my highest expectations.
Chateau de la Messardiere is reminiscent of a chateau straight from a Disney fairytale with its towers, turrets and domes and its idyllic setting in 25 acres of magnificently landscaped gardens surrounded by 10 hectares of pine forest with sweeping vistas of Ramatuelle’s vineyards down to the turquoise sea of the Bay of Pampellone. Its secluded location makes it a perfect getaway from the bustle of the coastal resorts of the French Riviera, yet is only a 3-5-minute drive from St. Tropez. There is a 24/7 free shuttle service to the centre of St. Tropez and the hotel’s private Tropezina Beach.
Even though this 5-star hotel boasts 60 rooms and 57 suites, you need to book months in advance during peak season. Most rooms have their own balcony and every bathroom comes with a whirlpool bath, separate showers and double sinks. If you truly want to live the fairytale dream, choose one of the luxury suites which are renowned for their exceptional luxury, their large balconies and personalised housekeeper available round the clock. Most of the rooms are decorated in modern Provencal style with soothing shades of terracotta and taupe for a relaxing ambiance. Works of art are dotted throughout and the hotel even houses its own art gallery.
The hotel is dedicated to pampering and well-being. This is exemplified by the exceptional service. They even created personalised dishes to suit my tastes and requirements. All the staff are that service minded to ensure that your stay is truly memorable. The extra pampering is done at its first-class Temple of Beauty spa that has partnered with the top brands Valmont and Cinq Monde to provide the very best specialist body, face and massage treatments from around the world. There are spa fitness and beauty experts who will cater to your every whim. Then there is the relaxation lounge with a mosaiced indoor pool next to the spa for some quiet and relaxing time. For the fitness minded, there is a well-equipped spacious air-conditioned gym fitted out with cutting edge Technogym body-building, fitness and cardio-training machines. There is a qualified coach available who can assist with creating a personalised fitness program.
Fine dining is provided by Chef Alain LaMaision’s refined, light, modern and precise cuisine at the award winning L’Acacia restaurant that provides the option of indoor or al fresco dining at its vast terrace offering sweeping views of the surrounding countryside down to the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. His dishes combine major French classics with Mediterranean creations that champion local producers and seasonal products. There is a magnificent wine cellar housing over 400 of the finest wines and champagnes. The sommelier will ensure that your wine will perfectly complement whatever dishes you choose to have. And having breakfast surrounded by the fragrant Italian garden overlooking the shimmering sea is a special start to the day.
If you want to enjoy the best that France has to offer in terms of culture, cuisine and lifestyle, Chateau de la Messardiere would definitely rank right at the top. It is truly a romantic palatial getaway. With its serene atmosphere and impeccable service, it is no surprise that it is such a draw for honeymooners and jetsetters seeking respite from the outside world.
