Perched on Cap Lardier, Lily of the Valley, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World collection, brings a touch of wellness to sometimes hedonistic St. Tropez.
With a slew of health programmes and a decadent spa, Lily of the Valley eschews the clinical aesthetic that many wellness institutions seem to have embraced. Instead, this elegant hotel makes wellness feel chic, not sacrificial.
The Vibe
At once an incredibly stylish hotel designed by French architect Philippe Starck and a wellness hotel in its own right, Lily of the Valley holds a unique status in St. Tropez. Chic? Undoubtedly so – even by St. Tropez’s high standards. But there’s more to this hotel than just looking good, it’s a place designed to make you feel good, too, thanks to its state-of-the-art wellness programme. One of the few French Riviera hotels that stays open year round, this Côte d’Azur retreat does wellness the Mediterranean way, taking a holistic approach. Think longevity-focussed programmes paired with exceptional dishes served at mealtime (read: healthy and tasty wholesome local ingredients).
The Rooms and Villas
Surrounded by nature, 38 rooms, six suites and eight pool suites and three exclusive-use villas – Villa W was joined by two brand-new villas last season: Les Pins and Les Oliviers, both designed by renowned French architect Charles Zana. No matter where you stay, you’ll be surrounded by nature, sandwiched somewhere between centuries-old olive trees and stone pines and waking to birdsong, which is arguably an equally important element as the hotel’s facilities are on your wellness journey.
Indeed, both of the new villas are inspired by the nearby olive grove: Les Pins takes its name from the pine forest it overlooks and Les Oliviers translates to ‘olive trees’ in French. Ranging from 438 square-metres (Les Pins) to 504-square-metres (Les Oliviers), both have five bedrooms and sleep up to 10 guests, come with outdoor heated pools, and are staffed by a a private chef, a housekeeper, a villa manager and a butler. Les Pins takes it up a notch with direct beach access for early-morning swims and a private fitness room with steam room.Â
The Food + Drink
Glorious Mediterranean ingredients are used throughout the hotel’s four restaurants led by head chef Vincent Maillard, using fresh and seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby farms, mills and vegetable gardens. Each menu is designed and developed alongside nutritionist Jacques Fricker to celebrate the stories of men, women, farmers, fishermen, gardeners and local producers while providing a balanced diet, minus any compromise on taste.
Scallops, langoustines and caviar are just some of the star ingredients chosen to reflect this philosophy: eat at Shape Club, the hotel’s wellness and longevity centre where two wellness restaurants – Vista and the Club House – offer light bites in between fitness and wellness sessions, or eat on the beach, with salads and seafood at Pépé or Italian dished at Brigantine (if you’re trying The Shape Menu, make this your moment to break it – the drinks and desserts are worth it, particularly the hand-whisked sgroppino and the indulgent tiramisu).
The Wellness
The heart of the hotel, Shape Club, a 2,000-square-metre spa and fitness space, is incredibly well equipped and makes an impact through its longevity focused mindset. For those looking for a bespoke, results-driven experience, Lily of the Valley specialises in expertly curated programmes for long-lasting wellbeing where, led by Dr Jacques Fricker, various wellness-focussed programmes include ‘Better Ageing’, ‘Sport’, ‘Detox’ and ‘Weight Management’.
Designed around specific wellness goals – slimming, recovery, detoxification, skin regeneration, circulation and longevity – high-tech treatments meet manual therapies tailored to individual needs, wants and goals. Each programme starts with a thorough analysis, measured through ground-breaking bioimpedance and KINVENT technology, and this thorough approach is used to inform an ultra-bespoke plan for guests to follow throughout their stay.
Targeted treatments like osteopathy, cryotherapy, radiofrequency and Chi Nei Tsang (an ancient Chinese abdominal massage used for detox and stress relief) provide a tried, tested and tailored approach with tangible results for any stage of your wellness journey, and results that last. But be sure to try the wellness centre’s more therapeutic treatments too, they’re just as good. Massage, scrubs, cupping, reflexology, cleansing and sculpting are all on Shape Club’s extensive health and wellbeing list.Â
The Little Extras
Unusual for a French Riviera resort, Lily of the Valley is open year round and – with the addition of the two new villas, both located about a five-minute drive from the hotel – an end-of-year restorative retreat snuggled up next to a roaring fireplace might just make the perfect winter getaway. Private chefs are on hand at the villas too, ideal for a cosy night in during winter or for al fresco dining during the summer. Book an appointment at the on-site nail salon to top up your mani before you dine.Â
The To-Do List
In keeping with the hotel’s ethos, the list of things to do skews towards wellness and the schedule feels unlimited. Indeed, if wellbeing is your goal (and for many who visit, it is) then, with a to-do list spanning aqua boxing, sea wading, hiking and walking trails – over and above the dedicated wellness space and programmes – there’s really no need to leave the hotel at all.
During the summer months there’s plenty of opportunity for water-based fun at The Sailing Club where canoeing, e-foiling and windsurfing await, or make every moment count with sunrise or sunset paddleboarding. In winter the hotel hosts a series of three-day retreats which in 2026 include reformer Pilates sessions with trainers from Parisain Studio, KORE; yoga pilates and stretching with Laure Dary, founder of Maison Of(f) Wellness; and a chance to refocus with Jumzine and Quentin of Lévitation Experience.
Of course, you might be just as happy sinking into a sunlounger, cold drink in hand – and that’s perfectly acceptable here too.
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