Hotel Lou Pinet, Saint-Tropez, Côte d’Azur

The buildings of Lou Pinet resemble traditional Provençal houses, with wooden shutters and terracotta-tiled roofs — and our first impression was that of arriving at a countryside home rather than a hotel. And we had plenty to compare it to, as our stay here was part of a hotel-hopping trip in Provence and Côte d’Azur. (Don’t miss our write-up: Seven Best Hotels and Resorts for a Great Road Trip in Provence).

First impressions aside, Lou Pinet is not just another charming villa with luxe credentials.

Lou Pinet Design

The hotel is flanked by thick greenery and slender pine trees, with modern art pieces dotting the gardens. The focal point is the gorgeous swimming pool area, the hotel’s beating heart.

Fueled by the love for Mediterranean culture and the 1960s glamor of Saint-Tropez, the designers of Lou Pinet created a distinctive style that feels effortless. It retains the mood of a family home, with Provencal decor using natural materials — terracotta, natural stone, wrought iron, ceramics, even rope — and a curated selection of Vallauris pottery, Biot glassware, and fine art.

The accommodation style is consistent with the rest of the hotel, retaining a touch of the Provençal farmhouse style but more contemporary in feel. The floors are rust-colored terracotta, but the decor includes curved chaise longues, fancy cane chairs, and colorful artwork.

Facilities

The excellent Tata Harper is a spot of tranquility among the hedonistic pace of Saint-Tropez. Hidden at the bottom of the garden and designed with curved white walls, the spa feels like a secret cave. It’s a small space with only two treatment rooms, but the signature treatments are paired with the exclusive Tata Harper cosmetics, ensuring a great experience. The health facilities also feature a hammam and a gym with skylights.

Stepping through the reception area and a lounge with a bar, guests enter the thatched-roof dining room leading to a chic outdoor terrace. It’s the domain of the Beefbar restaurant. An outpost of the small chain that is making waves in Monte Carlo, Paris, and Rome, the Beefbar prides itself on premium meat dishes. At Lou Pinet, other options are also available, including grilled sea bass, yellowtail sashimi, risottos, and salads.

Of course, there are plenty of culinary wonders outside the hotel. While Lou Pinet is located away from the town center, it is still a good place to explore Saint Tropez, and the hotel provides car transfers to town. (We even visited one of the restaurants in the marina. The prices there!)

Lou Pinet Service

The lounge area, the terrace, and the swimming pool deckchairs inspire thoughts of a laid-back vacation. But the sense of carefree time is also created by the service.

The staff prides itself in ensuring that the guests need not worry about anything. They do it in the perfect mix of authentic discretion, kindness, and graciousness, whether at the concierge counter or the pool bar service. This, more than anything, makes the stay.

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in our opinion

Lou Pinet feels low-key, with only thirty-four rooms and suites tucked away in a residential area of Saint Tropez. Yet the place has a sense of glamour mixed with the original Saint-Tropez spirit.

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What we love

• The eye-candy swimming pool, clad in emerald tiles and surrounded by elegant loungers and parasols. Its design is relaxed and subtly nostalgic. Indeed, the vintage spirit of the 60s Saint-Tropez is what gives Lou Pinet its distinct flavor.
• The pool area may carry the vibe of carefree relaxation, but there is nothing laid-back about the service. The personnel is always ready to assist, with a friendly but professional attitude. The high-end service feels integral to the Lou Pinet identity, and the concierge and reception desks especially deserve a shout-out.
• The small spa, run under the aegis of the prestige beauty brand Tata Harper. Tata Harper is a pioneer in "natural luxury" cosmetics, big on sustainability. The spa has two treatment rooms; one is suitable for couples' treatments.
• The buffet breakfast is impressive; it includes pastries and various types of bread, fruit juices and fresh fruit, cold cuts, and an excellent selection of cheeses.
• Valets will take care of the car on arrival and park it underground, and it's a good thing too. The relentless sun in Provence can quickly make the car interior unbearably hot.

What you should know

• Book a Junior Suite or higher. These come with extra space, including in bathrooms, with luxurious standalone baths. The top accommodation choice is the eighty-square-meter Prestige Suite.
• The ground-level rooms facing the far end of the garden are a little dark as the entrance is a few steps down. On the flip side, these have a private enclosed area, perfect for a morning coffee.
• Take advantage of the free transfers to the town center. It's a welcome idea, as the hotel is located in a residential district, a 20-minute walk from the busiest areas (so, away from the crowds!)
• Saint-Tropez has plenty of sights, but beyond the town itself, the best way to explore the coast is by car — e.g., you'll need it to get to the famous Tahiti beach. Same for the wider region. We spent a couple of weeks on a road trip in Provence, and it gave us the flexibility and freedom to discover the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur at our own pace. Did you follow our journey on Instagram?