Hôtel Lily of the Valley

The place

Just south of St Tropez, Hôtel Lily of the Valley is Philippe Starck's idea of a wellness retreat — part Californian villa, part Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The 53 rooms hold modern furnishings, exposed concrete, and dark wood, each with a marble bathroom, a private terrace, and Garnier Thiebaut linens on the bed.

Wellness here is no afterthought. Two breezy outdoor pools, a private beach club, and 2,000 square meters of spa: fitness studio, sauna, steam room, treatment rooms. Of the four places to eat and drink, Vista is the one that stays with you — chef Vincent Maillard, fresh Mediterranean cooking, and the view that gives the restaurant its name.