Of all the places to stay in St Tropez, Hotel Byblos has the best backstory.
It was built in 1967 by Lebanese businessman Jean-Prosper Gay-Para as a way of wooing Brigitte Bardot. His efforts were in vain (she was married at the time), but he did succeed in creating a destination that has mythical status among the glamorous, the wealthy and the beautiful. After Mick and Bianca Jagger got married in the village town hall in 1971, they chose Hotel Byblos as their reception venue, bringing with them Paul McCartney and Keith Richards as part of their entourage. It was also where they decided to have their honeymoon.
Since then the Byblos guest list has included George Clooney, Beyoncé, Grace Kelly and King Charles. Lady Gaga is also said to be a regular. Designed to look like a traditional Mediterranean village in which a sparkling pool acts as a centrepiece, Byblos is the only resort in the St Tropez village. While many are located a short drive away, only at Byblos can you enjoy the luxuries of a resort while also being a five-minute walk from Place Des Lices and the bustling port.
The Vibe
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the hotel – and it’s still as glamorous as it was six decades ago. The original crowd at Byblos was creative – artists, musicians and actors – and some of that DNA has remained. Think haute bohemian: Missoni kaftans, Zimmermann floaty dresses and Loewe basket bags, all accessorised with a deep tan. This is a place where guests dress up for dinner and are discerning about their poolside style.
Byblos is intimate in the context of resorts (86 uniquely decorated rooms including 47 suites), and to stay here is to be transported to a fairytale version of a French village with an apricot- and honey-coloured stucco accented by balconies. In addition to the pool, there’s also two restaurants, a spa with a tranquil terrace, a rooftop bar and, underneath it all, the legendary Les Caves Des Roy, where locals party alongside the international glitterati. If you’re seeking a more restful stay, don’t worry – every room is sound-proofed. A shop selling resortwear is on hand for any last-minute sartorial needs, and a gift shop will open in mid-June. Byblos also has its own dreamy beach club (of course it does), a short drive away – staff will organise transfers.
The Rooms and Suites
A chambre double deluxe ©Stephan Julliard
Every room at the hotel is different and returning guests (of which there are many), tend to book the same one at departure. Twelve are decorated by Paris-based designer Laura Gonzalez, including the room we stayed in: a perfectly sized, warming space in St Tropez tones of dusky pinks, calming greens and warm terracotta. A 1970s-influenced custom ceramic mini bar stands in a corner, while the walls are done in an ivory woven wallpaper. Attention to detail is high – the doorways are elegantly curved, and inside the bathroom, discreet handles open up to an expansive array of Byblos’ branded bath products. A roll-tub bath sits next to a small window overlooking the gardens. Those with deep pockets should consider the vast presidential suite, located close to the pool, and on the site of the hotel’s original bar. We’re told poolside guests would be passed drinks from the bar, using a rope.
The Food + Drink
Under the pergola at Il Giardino
The jewel in the hotel’s dining crown is Il Giardino, an Italian restaurant with a flower-covered pergola that spills out to the adjacent poolside. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served here using local ingredients grown on the grounds. Breakfast is a bountiful buffet (resist the custard tart at your peril), but of course guests can also order from the menu; dinner is a sight to behold, where golden tea lights create a magical effect. Don’t miss the chef’s special seafood pasta, and leave room for La Sgroppino – a hybrid cocktail-dessert of frozen limoncello and Prosecco which is made in front of you by the uniformed staff. Nightly live lounge music adds to the atmosphere.
Lunch is served round the corner at The B. Lounge, a more relaxed affair where you’ll find informal classics such as a great club sandwich, mozzarella salad and spaghetti bolognaise. For high-end sundowners, make your way towards the rooftop Skybar, which opened in 2025. Sit back on the plush sofas, order a cocktail and watch the sun go down over the Med. La vie sure is en rose.
The Little Extras
The Sisley spa ensures guests leave feeling truly rested and revived. I opted for a 45-minute massage which was so soothing I fell asleep, followed by a 15-minute Soin Phyto-aromatique facial designed to hydrate and plump the skin. A sauna, steam room and shaded terrace complete the experience.
It’s telling that many of the staff here have worked at Byblos for decades – employees take pride in careers, and it shows: the service is excellent. The fluffiest of towels and slippers make bedtime feel a touch more luxurious, and our chauffeur-driven trip to Byblos’ private beach was very special. Friendly attendants regularly come by our plush loungers to sweep off any sand. Our room comes with a basket of English-speaking kids’ books for our three-year-old, a thoughtful detail that was very much appreciated. Byblos has been a family-run hotel since the late 60s, and staff make a real effort to make little ones feel welcome – even long past what might be considered a reasonable bedtime. That said, the glamorous energy of the property doesn’t feel like a natural fit for young children. We decided to leave our inflatable pool crocodile in the car.
The To-Do List
The close proximity to the village itself means exploring is very easy. As busy as it is, the food, artisan and clothes market on Tuesdays and Saturdays in Place des Lices is well worth a visit and more reasonably priced than you might expect of St Tropez. I picked up a new pareo, a linen dress and a gift for a friend’s newborn all for under €100. For people-watching, pull up a seat at Café Senequier, a red-fronted institution in the port which has been open since 1930. Bear in mind that if you want to sit on the terrace overlooking the superyachts (and we’d recommend that you do), then you and each of your party will need to order a plate of food. For drinks, make a beeline for the first-floor bar at Le Sube, where the balcony offers views of the bustle below and the Med. A few relaxed days at Byblos’ Beach – where the sun loungers are as comfortable as your sofa at home and staff are on hand to bring cocktails and snacks – is a must.
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