Tucked into the heart of Saint-Tropez just steps from the famed Place des Lices, Hotel Byblos is more than a luxury hotel — it’s a living, breathing icon. For decades, it has stood as a symbol of Riviera elegance and excess, where barefoot luxury meets heritage-rich charm. Whether you’re arriving in a vintage convertible or slipping in quietly through the vine-draped entrance, the aura is unmistakable: you’ve arrived somewhere that matters.

Beloved by stars and royals, designers and dreamers, Hotel Byblos has played host to generations of jetsetters — from Brigitte Bardot and Grace Kelly to Beyoncé and Leonardo DiCaprio. But what makes Byblos unforgettable isn’t just the name-dropping (though it’s impressive); it’s the way the property manages to feel intimate and effortless while delivering one of the most luxurious hospitality experiences in Europe. After spending a weekend here this summer, I can confidently say it deserves a spot at the top of every GRAZIA reader’s travel list. Here’s why.

A Living Legend of the French Riviera

The story of Hotel Byblos begins, fittingly, with a grand romantic gesture. In the late 1960s, Lebanese entrepreneur Jean-Prosper Gay-Para commissioned the hotel as a tribute to Brigitte Bardot. While the relationship never blossomed, the property quickly became a magnet for the who’s who of fashion, film, and royalty.

Built like a Provençal village with cobbled paths and ochre facades, Byblos captured the carefree soul of Saint-Tropez and fused it with five-star polish. Fast forward nearly six decades, and the hotel continues to be a bucket-list destination — now helmed by the visionary Antoine Chevanne and operating under the rebranded family-owned hospitality umbrella, Floirat Signatures.

As Saint-Tropez evolves into a modern-day luxury mecca, Hotel Byblos retains its crown by mastering the art of reinvention while honoring its storied past. Nowhere is that more evident than in its 2025 transformation.

The New Era: Culinary Excellence Meets Design Mastery

This season marks a bold new chapter for Byblos’ culinary offerings, anchored by three refreshed venues that each feel like an experience unto themselves.

Il Giardino

Let’s begin with Il Giardino, a new Italian fine dining restaurant by Executive Chef Nicola Canuti. Located beside the pool beneath a lush, vine-draped pergola, the space evokes an enchanted Mediterranean garden. We dined here on our first night — sipping chilled rosé while the sun dipped behind terracotta rooftops. Every bite transported me: from the handmade Paccheri alla Carbonara, bursting with aged pecorino and crispy guanciale, to the delicately balanced langoustine risotto, laced with herbs from the hotel’s private garden.

Designed by Marine Ugo with ceramics by Agnès Sandahl, Il Giardino is both sensual and serene — a dinner setting that doesn’t just impress, but seduces. For GRAZIA readers planning a honeymoon or birthday escape, this is the reservation to book in advance.

Sky Bar

After dinner, we ascended to the newly opened Sky Bar — the hotel’s first-ever rooftop. It’s hard to put into words the feeling of stepping onto that terrace. The breeze from the bay, the glow of lanterns, the clinking of coupe glasses filled with rare vintage spirits. With plush seating, rich blue tones, and a standout leather trunk bar crafted by Pinel & Pinel, the Sky Bar delivers true rooftop magic — equal parts discreet and dazzling.

B. Lounge

By day, B. Lounge became our retreat — a poolside restaurant where you can slip into a terrycloth caftan and linger over a garden bowl, sip a spritz with truffle pinsa, and watch the energy of the property unfold around you. The redesigned space is full of terracotta accents and Mediterranean texture, and it transitions seamlessly from lazy lunch to golden-hour aperitivo.

Zuma

And then there’s Zuma — and it was, without exaggeration, one of the best meals I’ve had in Saint-Tropez. From the moment we stepped into the dimly lit, high-energy space to the final spoonful of their take on a La Tropézienne dessert, the experience was sensational. The team treated us to an unforgettable culinary tour: fresh sashimi served like artwork, miso-marinated black cod that melted on the tongue, and signature cocktails with an umami twist.

Every dish felt like a celebration — playful yet precise, luxurious yet comforting. Dining at Zuma at Byblos isn’t just another dinner; it’s an experience of international caliber in a Riviera setting. This is a must-do for GRAZIA readers who appreciate fashion, flavor, and finesse in equal measure.

The Legend of Les Caves du Roy

No visit to Hotel Byblos is complete without a night at Les Caves du Roy — the hotel’s legendary nightclub that has long defined Saint-Tropez’ glamorous after-dark allure. First opened in 1967, Les Caves quickly became the Riviera’s most exclusive and talked-about dance floor. Its golden palm columns, flickering disco lights, and A-list guest list have played backdrop to decades of unforgettable nights — from Mick Jagger and Grace Jones to Leonardo DiCaprio and Naomi Campbell.

During our stay, we had the chance to experience the magic firsthand — and let me tell you, the legend lives on. Walking through its velvet-lined entrance and stepping into the high-octane, champagne-fueled world of Les Caves felt like crossing into a parallel universe. The crowd was a swirl of international style icons, locals dressed to thrill, and a soundtrack curated by resident DJ Papaaz and Jack.e, who has held court for over 30 years.

What makes Les Caves special is not just the exclusivity — it’s the vibe. The sense that anything can happen. That you’re part of something cinematic. That every night has the potential to become a story. Whether you’re dancing under the mirrored ceiling or sipping from a magnum of rosé in a velvet booth, Les Caves captures the essence of Riviera nightlife. For GRAZIA readers who crave high glamour and iconic scenes, this is the place to see and be seen.

Beach Bliss, Reimagined

If you’re the type who seeks serenity in the form of a private lounger, chilled mocktail, and hands-free concierge magic, Byblos Beach Ramatuelle is your dream destination. Nestled on Pampelonne Beach — just far enough from the buzz to feel exclusive — the beach club is a study in understated Riviera luxury.

Here you are treated to front-row sunbeds by Oliver James (embroidered with Byblos’ signature orange diamond motif), endless towel refreshes, and a “Shirt Care” service that can press and return a wrinkled linen blouse before lunch. Details like this are what separate five-star from phenomenal.

Families will love the eco-friendly beach toys and sugar-conscious mocktails crafted for children, while couples can indulge in signature cocktails like the rum-based Tiki or a decadent Affogato Martini. On Fridays, the beachfront pulses with the mellow rhythms of live Bossa Nova, transforming into a sultry scene straight out of a Slim Aarons photo.

Be sure to pop into the on-site boutique, where exclusive Orlebar Brown polos, Agnes Sandahl candles, and a chic Byblos backgammon set call to you from the curated shelves (safe to say, you’ll likely leave with a few souvenirs).

The Suites: A Story of Heritage and Heart

One of the most memorable aspects of Byblos is the way its rooms feel like personal residences, not hotel suites. This is especially true of the new rooms redesigned by the brilliant Laura Gonzalez.

Each of the four debut suites channels a different Mediterranean mood — from warm coral to seafoam celadon — and is outfitted with antiques, custom furniture, hand-painted ceramics, and nods to the hotel’s artistic past. Each suite feels like a personal Riviera apartment that tells a story both personal and place-specific.

More than just aesthetic, these suites offer privacy, soul, and space — a rare trifecta. Whether you’re traveling solo, honeymooning, or vacationing with girlfriends, the Laura Gonzalez suites offer an elevated home base you’ll never want to leave.

Spa & Wellness, the Sisley Way

When you need a break from the rosé-fueled revelry, the Byblos Spa by Sisley offers a holistic reprieve. The newly introduced Thai Massage treatment (performed on a futon on the floor) will release stress in places you didn’t know you held tension, while the Scalp Care ritual will restore that post-travel hair with a regenerative formula powered by Exosomes.

Perhaps the most surprising wellness offering, though, is the Sound Bath — a 90-minute sensory journey that feels both cosmic and grounding. Whether you’re nursing a hangover from the late-night to early morning party scene or escaping to Saint-Tropez for a wellness-focused holiday, you will emerge from this treatment floating, a new convert to the healing power of vibration and frequency.

For GRAZIA readers prioritizing self-care and wellness alongside their travel adventures, this spa — nestled within the property’s garden sanctuary — is an essential stop.

The E-Boutique: Take a Piece of Byblos Home

It’s one thing to visit a hotel you love; it’s another to take it home with you — and Hotel Byblos makes that possible through its luxury e-boutique.

The crown jewel? The Byblos B00, a custom-restored Porsche 911 Targa designed in collaboration with Hedonic Machines. Priced at €300,067, this retro-glam icon features full-grain beige leather interiors, a digital dash, and a Les Caves du Roy-inspired sound system. It’s more than a car — it’s a collector’s love letter to Riviera nostalgia.

Also featured are 10 limited-edition Globe-Trotter suitcases, orange-accented and hand-numbered; Orlebar Brown’s exclusive Byblos swimsuits and polos; a ceramic candle collaboration with Agnès Sandahl; and new backgammon sets, card holders, and accessories from Pinel & Pinel. Every item is infused with the spirit of Byblos — elegant, bold, and timeless.

A Return to Riviera Royalty

Hotel Byblos isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a cultural anchor in Saint-Tropez. A place where celebrities still hide behind big sunglasses, where every corner tells a story, and where even first-time guests are treated like long-time friends.

For our GRAZIA luxury travels readers looking to immerse themselves in Riviera excellence, celebrate a milestone, or indulge in slow, luxurious living, Hotel Byblos remains one of the best-kept (and most stylishly told) secrets on the coast. In 2025, it continues to evolve — but never forgets who it is.

And that’s exactly why we’ll be coming back year after year — and why you should, too.