Quite simply, Château de la Messardière is in a category of its own – a grand estate that consistently sits among the world's most celebrated hotels. Set across 13 hectares above Saint-Tropez, the 19th-century château feels more like a destination in itself than a hotel, with perfectly manicured gardens, two tennis courts, and its iconic panoramic pool overlooking the Riviera. Dining is equally extensive, with everything from La Table de La Messardière and Palladio to Matsuhisa, Les Tables du Jardin and the beachfront Jardin Tropezina on Pampelonne Beach.

Days go dangerously quickly between the pool, a game of tennis, and long lunches before returning to the château for sunset. There is also an undeniable sense of romance here – the estate is known as a setting for proposals, weddings and other milestone moments – a place that is entirely worth of the occasion. For a Saint-Tropez stay where grandeur, privacy and exceptional hospitality come together, it is difficult to imagine anywhere else.

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