Where to Stay in Saint-Tropez for First-Timers

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Saint-Tropez | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ

I’ve lived in Paris for 10 years, and Saint-Tropez is one of the best French getaways I’ve experienced. You’ll find fantastic seafood, great shopping, and exciting events in this small French town.

Northwest Saint-Tropez is the best place to stay for first-time visitors. This is where the harbor is, as well as museums, shops, and other attractions. There are wonderful hotels here, too.

This said, my top hotel recommendation, Airelles Château de la Messardière, is located slightly outside the city. This 19th-century château is stunning and offers beautiful views plus luxurious rooms and amenities.

Read on to learn about the best areas for different activities and travel styles.

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Best Places to Stay in Saint-Tropez

If you are short on time, these hotels are my top picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Airelles Château de la Messardière
• 🗺️ Best Location – Hotel la Ponche
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Hotel des Lices
• 👪 Best for Families – Villa Cosy
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – Hôtel Le Y
• 🚢 Best Near the Harbor – Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez
• 🛏️ Best Budget – La Villa d’Andrea

Click here to see all top Saint-Tropez hotels or here for apartments.

Next up, let’s do a deep dive into all the top areas and neighborhoods in Saint-Tropez: 

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is fairly small at around five square miles. Within that area, there are five official quarters that center around the coastline. The Old Town and northwest Saint-Tropez border the harbor. These are the main centers of activity.

Northwest Saint-Tropez

👉 Best Area For First-Timers | ✨ Best Northwest Saint-Tropez Hotels: Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez • Hotel des Lices • Lou Cagnard

Northwest Saint-Tropez is a central area that borders the Old Town. Yet, it has a distinctly different feel. It begins at the Place des Lices to the southeast and the harbor to the north.

You’ll find museums, shops, the harbor, and other attractions in this district. It’s easy to walk to the Old Town to see the attractions there, then return to see Saint-Tropez from its center. 

The market at the Place des Lices offers a variety of products. I’ve seen everything from locally farmed honey and jams to blue-and-white striped nautical shirts. I recommend paying a visit to the Gendarmerie Nationale museum to learn about the city’s links to cinema.

You won’t have to sacrifice luxury in Northwest Saint-Tropez. The sumptuous Hotel des Lices offers incredible rooms. On the top end, this includes a private villa with three bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s also only a few minutes’ walk from the beach.

Meanwhile, you’ll find the Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez two minutes from the harbor. It has a rooftop pool and a Clarins spa. If you love contemporary decor with touches of the 1960s and 1970s, this hotel’s aesthetic will be perfect for you.

Pros of Staying in Northwest Saint-Tropez:

• Lots of attractions
• Great luxury hotels
• Access to the harbor and beaches

Cons of Staying in Northwest Saint-Tropez:

• Hotels can be pricey
• Streets can get crowded
• Parking is difficult to find

The Old Town

👉 Best Area For Shopping | ✨ Best Old Town Hotels: Hotel la Ponche • Hôtel Le Y • Hotel B Lodge

Lovers of luxury shopping will delight in Saint-Tropez’s Old Town. This area has many pedestrian-only roads packed full of both designer shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques. The warmly colored architecture lines narrow streets and alleyways. This makes for a picturesque visit.

You will also find excellent restaurants in the area. It’s worth taking a few hours to shop and walk around the Old Town, even if you don’t stay here. However, if you do stay here, the boutique Hôtel Le Y is only 200 meters from the beach and has an outdoor pool. Some rooms have balconies and terraces. 

For luxury treatment in this area, try Hotel la Ponche. With sea views and great food, visitors rave about the hotel. Its valet parking is also a valuable service in the crowded downtown area.

The densely populated Old Town gets lots of visitors, so it isn’t the best place to stay if you hate crowds. This is particularly true in summer when visitors flock to the city. I found it overwhelming on a Saturday morning during my last trip.

Pros of Staying in the Old Town:

• Tons of amenities
• Beautiful old architecture
• Great shopping and restaurants

Cons of Staying in the Old Town Neighborhood:

• Hotels and restaurants can be pricey
• Hard to drive
• Very popular with visitors

Ramatuelle

👉 Best Area For Relaxation | ✨ Best Ramatuelle Hotels: Hôtel L’Escalet • La Villa d’Andrea

Ramatuelle isn’t in Saint-Tropez proper, but it’s my favorite place to stay in the city. On my last trip, we rented a villa in this semi-rural suburb. Yet, it was only a 13-minute drive into the center of Saint-Tropez!

It’s easy to walk to the beaches from Ramatuelle. The village itself is charming, with several restaurants and shops providing everything you need. 

And despite the luxurious, peaceful surroundings, it can be cheaper to stay here than in Saint-Tropez’s center. La Villa d’Andrea, for example, offers a five-night stay in peak season for less than $1,700 as of the time of this writing. This is far less than you’d pay in the city.

For a cozy stay with great amenities, try the Hôtel L’Escalet. Its swimming pool, terrace, and restaurant make this the perfect choice for those who want to relax.

Pros of Staying in Ramatuelle:

• Beautiful countryside surroundings
• Short drive to Saint-Tropez’s center
• Reasonably priced accommodations

Cons of Staying in Ramatuelle:

• Roads can be narrow and hard to navigate
• You’ll need a rental car to get around

South Saint-Tropez

👉 Best Area For Sea Views | ✨ Best South Saint-Tropez Hotels: Airelles Château de la Messardière • Villa Cosy • Hotel La Garbine

South Saint-Tropez lies below the Old Town. It begins just south of the Place des Lices. This hilly area is the perfect place to stay when you want great views of the sea but don’t want to stay in the bustle of downtown. This area is far more residential than the Old Town or the neighborhoods around Les Lices. 

Hotels in South Saint-Tropez can provide more options than you’ll find in other parts of the city. At Villa Cosy, for example, the heated swimming pool and private terraces take up more space than many Old Town hotels can offer. Other top amenities include an airport shuttle and balconies.

If you feel like splurging on luxury, the Airelles Château de la Messardière is for you! It has its own private beach area – a true treat in the crowded summer months. It offers almost every amenity you can think of, from a kid’s club to a full-service spa with wellness packages.

Pros of Staying in South Saint-Tropez:

• Lovely views of the sea from the hills
• Easy to walk to downtown
• Great hotel selection

Cons of Staying in South Saint-Tropez:

• Restaurants and shops are scarce and far apart
• You’ll need to walk or drive to most attractions

East Saint-Tropez

👉 Best Area For Luxury | ✨ Best East Saint-Tropez Hotels: Hôtel La Tartane Saint-Tropez • La Bastide des Salins •  Le Pre de la Mer

East Saint-Tropez is a luxurious area east of the Chemin du Pinet. It’s popular with celebrities and the very wealthy. 

This is especially true near Les Parcs de Saint Tropez, a gated estate full of enormous villas. You’ll see why when you witness the huge houses and beach access in this area. There aren’t a ton of restaurants, bars, or amenities away from the beaches, though. 

Check out the Hôtel La Tartane Saint-Tropez if you want to stay in this luxurious setting at a reasonable price. The hotel has an outdoor pool and charming rustic-chic decor. But if you want to live like a celebrity for a day, look for villa rentals between the Plage des Salins and the Bay of Canoubiers.

Those looking for privacy will love the La Bastide des Salins. Reviewers have remarked on the quiet surroundings and peaceful grounds. Meanwhile, all rooms have a terrace or balcony.

Pros of Staying in East Saint-Tropez:

• Luxurious, beautiful buildings
• Access to famous beaches
• Tons of green spaces and gardens

Cons of Staying in East Saint-Tropez:

• Hotels and rentals can be very pricey
• You’ll need a rental car to navigate easily

Tips for Staying in Saint-Tropez

Bring Money – Or Budget Carefully

I knew Saint-Tropez had a reputation for being expensive when I went there. Most places on the French Riviera do! But I didn’t realize how expensive it would be even for daily necessities. The honey and jams at the market ran between 16 and 18 euros a jar. That’s $18-19! 

Visit During a “Shoulder Season”

I was surprised to find how crowded Saint-Tropez was on a weekend in April. It gets even more crowded during the summer, but winters aren’t usually warm enough to swim. Aim for April-May or September-October for the perfect balance of crowds and access. 

Stay Central or Rent a Car

Saint-Tropez is a small city, so you may not think you need a car to get around. You don’t if you stay in the Old Town and around Les Lices. Once you get a bit farther afield, it makes sense to rent a car. This is particularly true if you are staying in a nearby village like Ramatuelle. Be sure to brush up on driving in France first. 

📚 Related Reading: How to Get Around France

Dress in Layers

Saint-Tropez’s gorgeous weather draws visitors from around the world. But it can still get chilly at night. To avoid going back to your accommodations to change before dinner, dress in layers that you can remove or add easily. Read my guide to find out more about packing for France!

👉 Get a free, printable version of my France packing list here! 

Prepare for Crowds

If you’re coming to Saint-Tropez any time but in the winter, you’ll find lots of other visitors in the Old Town and near the harbor. It’s easy to stay further afield to avoid them. However, be prepared for lots of people in the summer and on weekends. This is particularly true for popular attractions like the beaches. 

Read my guide on the best time to visit France for more information. 

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay for first-timers?

The best areas to stay in Saint-Tropez for first-timers are Northwest Saint-Tropez or the Old Town. Northwest Saint-Tropez has tons of amenities and is centered around the harbor. Meanwhile, the Old Town has lots of charm and hotels.

What are safe areas to stay in Saint-Tropez?

All of Saint-Tropez’s areas have fairly low crime rates (Source). The most common crimes by far are theft and burglary. Keep a close eye on your belongings. Violent crimes are rare.

What are the best parts of Saint-Tropez to stay on a budget?

The best parts of Saint-Tropez to stay on a budget are away from the harbor, like the Sainte-Anne neighborhood. However, Saint-Tropez is generally expensive. Consider accommodations just outside the city in nearby villages like Ramatuelle.

What are the best parts of Saint-Tropez to stay for a weekend trip?

The best parts of Saint-Tropez to stay for a weekend are in the Old Town or Les Lices neighborhoods. These contain the main attractions in the city, including beach and harbor access. This way, you won’t lose time commuting.

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Now that you’ve figured out where to stay during your Saint-Tropez trip, why not check out other areas? Check out my list of my favorite places to visit in France next!