People travel to Côte d'Azur for many reasons – the fine wine, the great food, the lavish way of living, and of course, the array of beautiful beaches that line the miles and miles of coastline. Côte d'Azur hotels on the beach certainly aren’t hard to come by.
Rest assured the region’s most popular destinations like Cannes, St. Tropez, and Nice have long stretches of soft golden sands to play with and plenty of upscale beach clubs for afternoons spent sipping on cocktails. So, if it’s a typical sunny beach holiday you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.
Best of all, Côte d'Azur offers way more than your typical Mediterranean getaway usually does. The grandest five-star resorts provide that extra-premium style of luxury fit for royalty.
Here are the top choices for a first-class beach hotel Côte d'Azur style…
Hôtel Cap Estel
First on our list of Côte d'Azur hotels on the beach is Hôtel Cap Estel. Situated in the quaint coastal commune of Èze, this is a hotel that’s all about making the most of your stunning seaside setting. You’re perched on top of a cove looking out at picturesque vistas of the azure Mediterranean Sea, so get your cameras out for picture-perfect photos.
The hotel itself is ultra-luxurious too, just make sure you get one of the sea-view suites for the best front-row seats.
Wake up every day to breakfast on your balcony and soak up the calming seaside ambience. Then head down to the hotel’s private beach for a sun-soaked day lapping up the rays and dipping your toes in the water. What more could you want from luxury French beach holidays?
Hôtel Martinez by Hyatt
It’s the newly-refurbished beach club which makes Hôtel Martinez by Hyatt one of the best beach hotels Côte d'Azur offers. Here you can spend your days as an exclusive VIP making the most of the venue’s R&R options.
After re-opening back in 2019, the Cannes beach club (known as La plage du Martinez) offers a huge variety of water sports like snorkelling, scuba diving, or jet skiing.
Once you’re done braving the seas, you’ll have a well-deserved glass of something strong waiting in the club bar. The friendly bartenders will whip you up one of their signature cocktails and a resident DJ will play all your favourite tunes for a summery afternoon in the sun.
Looking for ways to have a lighter footprint? Find out why this hotel is one of the most sustainable in Cannes.
Le Grand Hotel Cannes
We couldn’t list Côte d'Azur hotels on the beach without mentioning Le Grand Hotel Cannes. Situated on the highly sought-after La Croisette promenade, beach hotels don’t come much more luxe than this.
To make the most of your surroundings, we recommend the Panoramic Jacuzzi Rooms. You’ll be perched right above the bustling boulevard and have a bubbling jacuzzi on your private terrace to quite literally soak up the seafront atmosphere.
The hotel also has its own private beach when you feel like venturing downstairs and getting some sand between your toes.
Perhaps most special is the Le Park 45, the hotel’s Michelin-star restaurant just a few yards from the shore. You’ll tuck into all sorts of gourmet Mediterranean fare whilst admiring views of gently swaying palm trees and glistening waves.
JW Marriott Cannes
Also taking a prime spot on the famous La Croisette promenade is JW Marriott Cannes. It’s home to one of the Côte d'Azur’s must-visit beaches, so make sure you come here even if it’s just a day trip to see the sights.
If you do want to stay on La Croisette, JW Marriott Cannes is a big contender for the best hotel. Many of the best suites offer unbeatable ocean views you can enjoy from the comfort of your balcony – none more spectacular than the two-bedroom Presidential Suite boasting floor-to-ceiling windows that pour in an abundance of light, especially on the sunniest summer mornings.
And for dinner, head down to Scalini, the hotel’s wonderful Italian restaurant serving big-hearted classic favourites made from only the finest and freshest ingredients. The exciting open-kitchen style dining makes you feel part of the family as the chefs cook up a storm right in front of you.
Royal-Riviera Hotel
Nestled nicely in the heart of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Royal-Riviera Hotel is a haven for beach-dwellers and sun-soakers.
The hotel’s secluded private beach is the place to be for your typical beach goings-on, like topping up your tan, tucking into ice creams, sipping on Pina Coladas, getting stuck into a good book, or simply reclining on a sun-lounger listening to the serene joy of lapping waves. Absolute bliss!
If you’re visiting during the summer months, anyone who gets itchy feet can cure the restlessness with water sports, including jet-skiing, paddleboarding, and boating.
Once the sun starts to set, head to La Table du Royal, the hotel’s signature restaurant specialising in traditional French gastronomy, all washed down with a perfectly-paired wine chosen by resident sommeliers.
Does Côte d'Azur have sandy beaches?
Absolutely. In fact, Côte d'Azur is famous for its expansive sandy beaches. The most popular beaches boast fine sands which are more than comfortable enough for you to simply lay a towel and lie back – no sun-lounger needed!
What is the best beach in Côte d'Azur?
All of the major towns and cities boast sprawling coastlines, so the region’s best beach is all down to what you love most about a beach day.
If you want a lively beach teeming with fellow sun-seekers, your best bet is Cannes’ Plage du Midi or Nice’s Villefranche-sur-mer – both of which offer plenty of beach facilities and activities.
However, if you want peace and quiet away from crowds, we recommend Escalet Beach, located just a 20-minute drive away from St. Tropez. Its remote location means there’s usually plenty of space for you to truly relax and find some tranquility.
Where are the best restaurants in Côte d'Azur ?
Some of our favourite restaurants include Le Park 45 at Le Grand Hotel Cannes, L’isoletta Restaurant at La Bastide de Saint-Tropez and La Chèvre d’Or Gourmet Restaurant at La Chévre D'Or. All of these combine delectable menus with stunning interiors for an incredible fine ding experience.
Luxury beach hotels in France come in the thousands, so it’s up to you which hotel matches your needs and desires. If you can’t see the perfect option on this list, reach out to one of our friendly and knowledgeable travel managers who can lend a helping hand on your search.
If you want that quintessential Côte d'Azur beach holiday take a look at our best French luxury holiday offers.
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