In the center of Carmel-by-the-Sea

Hotel L'Auberge Carmel**** right near Monterey in California.

L’Auberge Carmel, a member of the prestigious International Relais & Château Hotel group, is located on a quiet street in the heart of Carmel. It is a charming, romantic, small luxury inn with a European country character coupled with European professional service and to round things off a superb young American chef Justin Cogley producing some marvelous, inventive cuisine. Open all year round, a fireplace in the bar, comfortable rooms and suites for relaxing, great walking. The winter is one of the great times to be in Carmel.

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Between the New Forest and the sea, Hampshire.

Chewton Glen Hotel *****, New Milton, Hampshire..

Chewton Glen is more than a luxury country hotel - it is a spa and country club with golf and other activities situated between the ancient New Forest and the English Channel just a few minutes walk from the beach. Superb cusine. Lovely in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter. It is a luxury destination in itself, not to be missed.

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A Classic Beauty right on the sea at Juan-les-Pins.

Hotel Belles Rives*****, Juan-les-Pins, France.

Located right on the edge of the sea, you just can't get closer to "fun in the sun and the sea" than this lovely hotel that traces its roots back to the 1930's. Newly remodeled rooms and bathrooms, this grande dame of Cote d'Azur hotels celebrates the old and the new simultaneously. Right on the edge of the village of Juan-les-Pins it is nevertheless, private and quiet. Open year round. Fine restaurant (Below).

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Experience dinner on the terrace as the sun sets!
Even on a nice day in Winter.

Restaurant "La Passagere" at Hôtel Belles Rives*****,
Juan-les-Pins, France.

Talented Chef de Cuisine Guillaume Anor produces meals filled with the tastes of the sea and of his native regions, la Cote d'Azur, in this lovely restaurant that has one of the most glorious sunset dining views on the coastline. It is part of the Hotel Belles Rives (above)
Three 1/2 Chef Rating.

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An Oasis on the edge of Saint-Tropez.

Hotel la Bastide de Saint Tropez *****, Saint Tropez, Var, France

This charming, peaceful, upscale retreat is a balm to the soul. Just on the outskirts of the village of St. Tropez, within walking distance of the cafes, the restaurants and the center of town. Perfect for romantic get-aways or family summer vacations. Open year round, it is also a lovely winter get-away with huge fireplace in the Salon and cozy, warm rooms and suites. Fine restaurant (Below).

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One of our favorite restaurants on the coast!

Restaurant "l'Oliver", Saint Tropez, Var, France
(part of Hotel La Bastide de St. Tropez)

Immediately became one of our favorite restaurants of our 2008 trip and even more so Spring 2011. Deceptively simple, delicious cuisine filled with the tastes and textures of Provence from the land and from the sea. A must for any visit to St. Tropez. Open to hotel guests and to anyone else as well.
3.5 Chef Rating.

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Just a few steps from the Casino.

Hotel Hermitage*****, Square Beaumarchais, Monaco.

A lovely, stylish and elegant five star Belle Epoque luxury hotel in the center of Monte-Carlo that offers everything from a great location, newly remodeled rooms and suites, fantastic food, exceptional spa, salt water pool and the Casino is just around the corner.

France with it Cote d'Azur lies just a few minutes drive to the west with Italy and its coast and cuisine to the east.

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