3 Dreamy Beachfront Hotels to Book at Least Once in Your Life

© Hôtel Barrière L'Hermitage La Baule - Alexandre Tabaste - La Réserve de Beaulieu / Jean-Michel Sordello

Hop on a train and escape to the sea. Check into a hotel that feels like it's floating on the water. Wake up to the sound of the waves, throw on a swimsuit and dive in for a swim before breakfast. Ready for a full-on marine reset? Here are three feet-in-the-water hotels worth booking at least once in a lifetime for the ultimate feel-good escape.

The hotel: Freshly opened and freshly fabulous, this brand-new 5-star Relais & Châteaux by Inwood Hotels brings a Spanish hacienda vibe to the Cap d’Antibes. Recently redesigned by architect Oscar Lucien Ono (Maison Numéro 20), the former Imperial Garoupe is now Villa Miraé, a Mediterranean-style residence with terracotta-red walls inspired by the nearby Estérel cliffs. It houses 35 rooms, including 8 suites with private terraces, set among lush gardens of palms, cypresses and bougainvillea. There’s a dreamy pool, a soothing spa, a charming bar and two restaurants led by superstar chef Mauro Colagreco. Indoors, soft textures and ocean-toned decor echo the nearby sea with sandy-hued wallpapers, wave-inspired patterns and soothing shades of blue.

Water access: A few steps is all it takes to reach the dreamy azur pool, open from 9am to 7pm. Grab a book, a sage-green lounger, a sunshine-yellow towel and a lemonade – you’re all set for the ultimate nap session. Prefer the sea? Just exit the hotel, turn right, and you’ll find a solarium with loungers perched above a public beach of soft sand and turquoise waters. Since public access is currently restricted due to renovations, guests get near-exclusive access via the hotel’s solarium – a unique spot for near-private swims with breathtaking Cap d’Antibes views.

On the menu: Wherever Mauro Colagreco cooks, we swoon. At Amarines, his fine dining restaurant (dinner only), the 3-Michelin-starred chef offers a Riviera-inspired tasting menu (4-course “Menu in 4 Movements,” €150), featuring delights like San Remo red prawn carpaccio with citrus and basil oil, wild pea ravioli with parmesan cream and preserved lemon, wild fish or lamb from the Alpilles, and a divine dessert of fresh and frozen berries with sarriette and coffee sauce. By day, the Miraé bistro offers Provençal classics like zucchini flower fritters with scamorza (€26), orecchiette with Menton lemon (€44), and stuffed vegetables (€35).

Villa Miraé – 770 Chemin de la Garoupe, 06160 Antibes | +33 4 92 93 31 61 | Rooms from €405/night

The hotel: Some grand hotels feel like home the moment you arrive. L’Hermitage Barrière, an iconic seaside property on La Baule’s legendary bay, is one of them. Turning 100 in 2026, this historic 5-star stunner is easy to reach in just 3 hours by train from Paris – no car needed. Its grand half-timbered façade houses over 200 recently refreshed rooms and suites in serene marine and cream tones, complete with plush carpeting. Splurge on an ocean view room for the ultimate wake-up call. Even better: book a treatment at the Augustinus Bader spa for a glow-up, inside and out.

Water access: Thanks to a pedestrianized, plant-lined promenade, you’re just steps from the sand. Go for a rejuvenating beach walk, build a sandcastle, or try your hand at net fishing. Want something extra? The nearby equestrian center offers morning rides along the beach. Prefer to relax? The heated outdoor pool (28°C year-round, 8am–8pm) is the perfect lazy-day base.

On the menu: Don’t leave without dinner at Ciro’s, the hotel’s legendary beachside seafood restaurant. With a yacht-inspired design by Friedmann & Versace and breathtaking sunset views over the Côte d’Amour, it’s a showstopper. Order a seafood platter (€89), langoustine carpaccio (€29), or seared sea bass with tomato and basil (€38). For lunch, head to Le Pavillon, tucked in the hotel’s garden, for luxe grill-style fare: lamb chops (€38), entrecôte (€35), or grilled salmon (€29). Breakfast here is an epic buffet spread of kouign-amann, Vendée brioche, strawberries and crêpes — best enjoyed al fresco.

Hôtel Barrière L’Hermitage – 5 Esplanade Lucien Barrière, 44500 La Baule-Escoublac | +33 2 40 11 46 46 | Rooms from €315/night

The hotel: For the past 145 years, La Réserve de Beaulieu has stood proudly on the French Riviera, just 10 minutes from Nice by train. You’ve likely seen its picture-perfect view on Instagram: elegant white parasols, classic columns, a glimmering pool and, beyond, the endless blue of the Med. Owned and curated by Nicole and Jean-Claude Delion, this iconic hideaway features 39 rooms, suites and private villas (most with sea views), all recently renovated in calm, soothing tones. The spa by La Prairie is a must – book Alexandra for the 1-hour custom massage (€250).

Water access: A private beach offers direct access to the sea, but the star here is the spectacular pool, a 10-by-20-meter jewel suspended above the Mediterranean. This spot is pure luxury: unwind with chilled drinks or fresh-cut fruit between swims, and meditate on the good life (no judgment here). It’s a postcard-perfect dream.

On the menu: At the casual summer restaurant Vent Debout, enjoy lobster club sandwiches (€45), homemade gazpacho (€36), or linguine with prawns (€42) by the pool. In the evening, book a table at the Michelin-starred Restaurant des Rois, where MOF chef Julien Roucheteau presents beautifully plated Mediterranean cuisine with immaculate service. Choose from à la carte options or tasting menus (€195–€295). The next morning? Savor buttery cakes, warm cruffins and a creamy latte while gazing at the rising blue sea and sky.

La Réserve de Beaulieu – 5 Boulevard du Maréchal Leclerc, 06310 Beaulieu-sur-Mer | +33 4 93 01 00 01 | Rooms from €960/night

Arguably the most charming and authentic hotel in Saint-Tropez, La Ponche is nestled right by the beach, favored by Simone de Beauvoir, Romy Schneider, Brigitte Bardot, Françoise Sagan, and their entourage. Fabrizio Casiraghi has redesigned La Ponche with elegant Provençal decor featuring terracotta tiles, attic rooms, and discreet luxury fabrics. Book a sunrise yoga class on the pier, with your feet nearly in the water.

Extra Touch: The hotel also boasts a restaurant led by young prodigy chef Thomas Danigo. Enjoy fresh meals on the incredible terrace with dishes like zucchini gazpacho (€22), rock fish soup (€30), grilled catch of the day (€50), and light lemon cream (€18). You can also order a picnic for a day on the boat (starting at €50).

La Ponche, 5 rue des Remparts, 83990 Saint Tropez, +33 4 94 97 02 53. From €641 per night.

© Julie Limont

Located on Trouville beach, this nearly century-old institution has hosted Alain Delon, Isabelle Huppert, Michel Galabru, and Patrick Modiano. The recent reopening of Hôtel Flaubert, after renovations, is highly anticipated by coastal lovers. Interior designer Natalia Mégret has created an authentic design inspired by the famous 19th-century novelist, with blue tones and vintage decor from The Socialite Family and Hartley & Tissier.

Extra Touch: Enjoy an aperitif on the terrace of your room directly on the beach. It doesn’t get cooler than this.

Hôtel Flaubert, rue Gustave Flaubert, 14360 Trouville-sur-Mer, +33 2 31 88 37 23. From €114 per night.

© Gaelle Boulicaut

Also check out our guide to the best hotels in Saint-Tropez and Le Cercle Voyage, a bespoke travel concierge offering up to 25% off luxury hotels.