After an exceptionally busy and successful winter season in the mountains, a shift to the South of France felt not only well deserved but perfectly timed. Emma Woodward recently spent a few days in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, based at one of our favourite and standout private estates, and revisiting many of the places that define why this corner of the Côte d’Azur remains so special for our clients.
From secluded villas and world-class hotels to beach clubs, vineyards, and timeless seaside restaurants, this is a curated look at our favourite spots, refined through Emma’s recent stay and experience on the ground.
A private base: Domaine Louise
At the heart of the stay was Domaine Louise, one of the most exceptional private estates in the region. Tucked between land and sea, it sits within 11 hectares of beautifully preserved countryside and comprises a collection of seven restored villas, all totally private from each other.
Arriving by helicopter from Nice Airport set the tone for a seamless experience, with the estate’s private helipad ensuring complete ease and discretion. With heated pools, landscaped gardens, and access to its own yacht, it offers exactly the level of privacy and refinement expected by ALS Private clients - secluded, yet moments from the coast.
Just 400m from Sylvabelle Beach and a short drive from Saint-Tropez itself, it strikes that rare balance between total privacy and easy access to the Riviera’s most iconic destinations.
For ALS Private, Domaine Louise stands out as a property that truly delivers on all fronts. It offers privacy without isolation, luxury without pretension, and a setting that feels both exclusive and welcoming. Complemented by impeccable service and outstanding food, the experience goes beyond expectations. Whether for families, groups of friends, or high-profile clients seeking discretion, it’s an exceptional addition to our portfolio.
As Emma put it, the experience “couldn’t have been more heavenly”. We’re excited to introduce this extraordinary estate to our clients and look forward to curating unforgettable stays in the heart of the French Riviera.
Where we love to stay in the St Tropez area
Beyond Domaine Louise, a few exceptional hotels consistently stand out for high-end clients.
La Réserve Ramatuelle remains a favourite for its contemporary elegance, serene atmosphere, and uninterrupted sea views. It’s the definition of discreet Riviera luxury.
Perched above St Tropez, Château de la Messardière (Airelles) offers a contrasting yet equally iconic experience - grand, historic, and meticulously restored, with sweeping views across the bay and expansive private grounds. By comparison, Airelles’ sister property, Pan Deï Palais, is discreetly tucked away in the heart of St Tropez, offering a more intimate, hidden retreat and a true oasis from the energy of the town.
For a more wellness-oriented escape, Lily of the Valley is a firm favourite of ours, offering a refined, design-led approach to health and wellbeing, set against sweeping coastal views. In addition to its rooms and suites, the property features five exceptional private villas, each with full hotel services for a more secluded, residential-style stay.
Our Favourite Beach Clubs - Saint-Tropez
Nowhere in the Mediterranean quite captures the rhythm of summer like Pampelonne. Here, beach clubs are less about the shoreline and more about a way of life, where lunch lingers, music rises, and the line between day and evening quietly dissolves.
Bagatelle Beach
A perennial scene-setter. High energy, high glamour - where spirited lunches evolve into full celebration, underscored by music, magnums, and a distinctly hedonistic mood.
Gigi Ramatuelle
Whimsical and design-forward, with a fashion-conscious crowd and a sense of playful escapism. Particularly appealing for families thanks to its exceptional kids’ club, though centred around a pool rather than the beach.
Loulou Ramatuelle
Effortless elegance with a distinctly Parisian touch. Softly paced, impeccably styled, and ideal for long, languid lunches by the sea.
La Réserve à la Plage
Refined and quietly luxurious, offering a more discreet rhythm with polished service and a serene setting directly on the sand.
Club 55
The enduring icon. Unchanged in spirit, it remains the essence of Saint-Tropez. Timeless, understated, and forever in demand.
Long lunches & coastal dining
For clients looking to extend that experience into more relaxed, beachside dining, there are a couple of additional favourites that consistently deliver.
La Vague d’Or at Cheval Blanc Saint-Tropez (3-Michelin-starred)
As the Michelin Guide describes it: “Picture a luxury hotel set amidst pine trees in the picturesque Gulf of Saint Tropez - an idyllic scene for knockout food.”
Widely considered the culinary benchmark in the region, La Vague d’Or is the three-Michelin-star signature restaurant at Cheval Blanc. Led by Chef Arnaud Donckele, it delivers an elevated expression of Provençal cuisine, with extraordinary depth of flavour, meticulous technique, and a focus on seasonal, local ingredients. The setting is equally unforgettable - an intimate waterfront terrace framed by pines, overlooking the bay in complete serenity.
Chez Camille
A beautifully understated beach restaurant set directly on the water - recently visited by Emma - where outstanding seafood is prepared with quiet confidence. Tucked away in the secluded Bonne Terrasse cove, this historic address has been welcoming guests since 1953 and remains one of the region’s most revered spots for authentic, traditional bouillabaisse.
Vineyards & the countryside beyond the coast
The surrounding countryside, particularly around Ramatuelle, is one of the most rewarding parts of the region to explore.
Emma’s recent vineyard experiences reaffirmed just how special this landscape is - rolling hills, sea breezes, and estates that blend tradition with modern winemaking. For clients, private tastings and curated vineyard tours remain one of the most authentic ways to experience the Riviera away from the coastline.
Notable estates in the wider area include Château Minuty, Château d’Esclans, and Domaine Ott, each widely regarded among the finest producers in Provence and regularly featured on the world’s best wine lists.
Why we return here
What makes the Saint-Tropez area so special and enduring is its balance. It offers complete privacy when you want it, energy when you don’t, and a rare ability to shift seamlessly between barefoot simplicity and high-end glamour.
From vineyard mornings and private villa living at Domaine Louise, to long lunches at Chez Camille and evenings drifting between beach clubs, it is this contrast that defines the experience.
For ALS Private, these are not just destinations, they are a collection of carefully chosen places that consistently deliver for our most discerning clients, and that we return to season after season.
