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Hotel Le Bailli de Suffren***
nr St. Tropez, Cote d'Azur, France
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This is a three star plus hotel built right on the beach overlooking the Mediterranean sea that is excellent for young families who are not interested in touring, exploring, world class cuisine or night life but just want to relax in the sun, play in the pool or on the beach and make their holiday at the hotel. Since it is located in a small, rather uninteresting village on the coast road, this would be just as well.
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Peter and Linda D'Aprix 2009
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View of the hotel from the outside poolside lounge.
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Inside lounge with sea view.
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Entrance fountain.
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Our Bedroom
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Photos by Peter D'Aprix © 2009
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Located on the coast road at Le Rayol-Canadel sur Mer between St. Tropez and Le Lavandou on the French Riviera coast, this renovated 1960's hotel has been redesigned inside with rooms and suites done in typical Provencal colors with a country feeling and tera cota tiled floors. But the hotel is burdened with the rather dreary exterior greeting you as you arrive that is a bit disconcerting with its dated style. But, on arrival, you are greeted at the entrance with a charming stone fountain shaded by an old olive tree and the lounge is friendly and homey. While the reception is also quite plain, as soon as you apporach the reception desk, you are greeted warmly by the extremely friendly hotel staff, and your concerns are laid to rest. The interior designers have done their best to remake the ambiance of the hotel inside and on the sea side.
The multi-story hotel sits right on the beach and has lovely views from the rooms all of which have balconies. The rooms are decorated in gray tones which is common to the area and are well-equipped with the usual amenities. Not deluxe and the bathrooms are a bit basic and small but very attractive, but then you will probably be spending most of your time out by the pool or on the beach. The location is ideal for real beach holiday and exploring this less expensive part of the Riviera which holds its own charm. While St. Tropez is a little drive, it does not take long and all the fun and excitement of this former fishing village that is teaming with boutiques of top designers as well as small, fun outlets offering everything from T-shirts and flip flops to full ensemles. It abounds with restaurants and cafes and so much more. Then you can return to Bailli de Suffren and enjoy the peace and quiet.
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View from our balcony.
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The beach.
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The dining terrace with magnificent view out over the sea.
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The bay.
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Watching the many families that were staying at the hotel during the time we were there, we saw firsthand that the staff genuinely likes children. The pool was a happy place filled with parents floating babies around in water wings and toddles splashing and having a ball. And the beach just below offers beach chaises and umbrella set ups for sun bathing and swimming in the sea. The beach extends around the very private bay and becomes a public beach further around and makes an inviting stroll around this small, very private bay. The terraces on the sea side are on several levels with the bar seating, several areas by the pool and a raised dining area that offers a small but adequate buffet at lunchtime.
Dinner on the dining room terrace overlooking the sea serves a good but not excellent meal with some delicious dishes and some that were a tad disappointing looking better than they turned out to be. But then with the view out over the Mediterranean as the sun set over the water, it made a very romantic dining experience.
The restaurant
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Shrimp Saté
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Dessert - Chocolate with chocolate crumble and white chocolate sorbet.
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A salmon Marine with miso sauce was just all right. Peter's melon soup served with gambas (shrimp) on wooden sticks was pleasant. Happily his main course of lamb chops and nicely cooked vegetables were delicious if not quite as rare as he likes. My pigeon with fresh a vegetables was quite nice. Again deserts satisfactory but not special. If you are a not looking for special cuisine, this is just fine and very attractive designed on the plate with asian overtones both visually and in flavor. If you want a treat, then St. Tropez is not far away.
The village, on the main coast road up the hill is a nice hike up the pedestrian pathways with great views, offers some of the basics from pharmacy and tabac to a few bistros, patisserie and cafes and some general stores all a bit lack luster.
Over all we recommend this hotel mainly for families and think it provides everything needed for very comfortable and happy holiday.
Hotel Baille de Suffren
Avenue des Américains - Golfe de Saint-Tropez
83820 Le Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer
France
Reservations
Tel. 33 (0)4 98 04 47 00
Fax 33 (0)4 98 04 47 99
info@lebaillidesuffren.com
www.lebaillidesuffren.com
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