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"Hotel Byblos****" - St. Tropez, France.
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A love story with the Stars, in world famous
St. Tropez on the sun washed Riviera, France.
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Peter and Linda D'Aprix - June 2005/7
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Hotel Byblos is as marvelous today as it was when we covered it just a couple of years ago, but now 14 May, 2007 they kick off the celebration of their 40th anniversary by adding a fabulous small and personal spa, "Byblos Sisley Spa" which makes it even more of a destination than it was before. They are doing this hand in hand with one of France's premiere beauty and cosmetic companies, Sisley, who manufacture an exceptional brand of spa products "Sisley", a perfect marriage of two small, French family owned companies that cater to a high end clientele.
If you are in the mood for a stellar dose of glamour, Hotel Byblos, in Saint Tropez, is the place to stay to see and be seen and just plain enjoy yourself in one of the best run hotels in the center of "chic", the south of France. Immaculately run with attention to the finest detail, with charm and comfort throughout, this is THE place to be when staying in St. Tropez famous or not. Located on one side by the park of the Citadel and on the other by the central market square, it is at once quiet and peaceful and on the other in the center of the action.
Conceived in star dust, its whole history has been saturated in celebrity and "chic" not to mention glitter. In 1967, Bridget Bardot led the way in making this a celebrity hangout that endures to this day. It was here that rock star Mick Jagger and model Bianca Perez were married celebrating with Beluga caviar and hundreds of bottles of champagne. Out of respect to their privacy, we will refrain from naming all the celebs who call this spot "home away from home." But while we were there, our was the only room not reserved by the entire Lyons soccer team and families in town for a demonstration match with the local soccer team.
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View out over the hotel roof tops to the bay of Saint Tropes from our room.
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The charming colors of the Mediterranean give the village feel to the hotel complex.
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Disco the night away at the night club Les Caves du Roy. © Roméo Balancourt
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Twilight at the pool in the center of the Byblos "village.
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Mediterranean charm that abounds in all the details of this hotel.
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Click on the "zoom+" to see larger version.
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© 2005/7 photos Peter D'Aprix and some supplied courtesy Byblos©2005.
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It matters not whether you are a film star, however, or a guest wanting to play in this delightful village, the service and attention to your needs and desires remain the same. What we loved about our stay there was the genuine warmth and friendliness of the entire staff. This is not always the case in a hotel with a high celebrity count. The rooms and suites are all lovely decorated in the soft colors of Provence many overlooking the flowered covered terraces, passageways, hidden courtyards and the central pool. The soft Mediterranean color palette adorns the buildings that are grouped gracefully around the pool and continue to flow down the hill to arrive at the street below where the restaurant "Byblos Spoon" is set right on the corner of the large place where the weekly village market is held.
The trendiest bar/club in Saint Tropez (if not all of the south of France) is also to be found at Byblos. “Les Caves du Roy” where the hippest people planet party into the wee hours and is accessible even to the non-celeb as long as you possess the right look.
Two restaurants grace Byblos both under the capable hands of Chef Christophe Fiorino. “Bayader” Byblos’s own restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine and one Alain Ducasse’s many “Spoon” restaurants. “Spoon Byblos” is equally filled with modern decor and glamour which also fits the style of the food. Not to be forgotten is the rather nice bar restaurant that serves lunch. The dishes are simple but filled with taste and will not leave you hungry. We both had grilled whole local fish that were seved with a mini-caste iron pot of roast vegetables in olive oil. Just perfect and satiated the hunger. Their salads are delicious an in a California/Italian style and make a meal in themselves.
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The bar that also has a comfortable lounge at pool-side. It also serves light lunches out on its patio. © Roméo Balancourt. .
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One of the many charming, intimate and peaceful courtyards that dot the hotel complex.
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Breakfast served on your balcony overlooking the pool. © Marcel Loli
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The street entrance on Ave. Paul Signac, just opposite the tree shaded park of the Citadel. Beautiful views over the village and bay from up the pathway.
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From the street, there are two graceful stairways leading down to the entrance courtyard with a fountain, seating and a calm welcome to travel weary guests.
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This hotel really was conceived as a Provençal seaside fishing hamlet and that theme permeates the buildings filling it with individual character and charm.. The buildings only date back to the mid 1960's but evoke the ages of an ancient collection of houses all nestled together. Each separate facade is painted a different color, the roof lines are at different levels and some are set in front of others. Many are arranged around courtyards, many have panorama views out over the town and over the bay. The pool area is almost like mini-harbor and the shopping is in a small enclosed "place" with old stone fountain, café table and chairs.
Just down the outside staircase from the pool is the nightclub/disco Les Caves du Roy, probably the most famous on the coast. Total freedom from Paparazzi is ensured so no matter if you normally grace the glossy magazine covers or are totally unknown, you have the freedom to relax and have fun all night.
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The seating at the entrance courtyard.
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Even the hallways make you want to stop and linger.
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The new addition from the pool area down to "Spoon" reflects a Moorish influence and is filled with courtyards with the sound of water from the fountains.
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Everywhere there are pots of Geraniums and other plantings.
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Further down the wide steps, you will find the terrace of "Spoon Byblos" where you can take aperitifs and eat outside under the trees or inside in the ultra modern interior. There are also more shops and boutiques on this level. From here it is 30 seconds to the Place Carnot where the market takes place twice a week and which is encircled with cafés, restaurants and shopping. Charming narrow lanes lead to the port filled with more shopping and then a quai front line of more cafés.
Also on the gastronomic menu is Byblos's own fine restaurant "Bayader" set right alongside the swimming pool where in good weather you can eat al fresco and in bad (rare) you can eat in the lovely vaulted ceilinged dining room. This is a lovely place to eat dinner which in season treats the diner to a constantly changing light that goes from a fading sun through stages of twilight until illumination is solely from romantic candle light supplemented by the flickering light from the pool.
The food is good as well even if the occasional dish does not quite live up to its billing. We started with a marvelous amuse bouche which really doubled as a course in itself rather than a palate teaser. Perfectly cooked asparagus accompanied with morels and a small topping of baby salad greens were covered with two thin slices of dried beef. That led into the "entré" of another great dish featuring many of the same players as the amuse bouche. This is a Bayader signature dish of Asparagus and morels each served in different ways on the plate with its own juices reduced as a sauce.
Linda then continued with a very successful "Stewed Lobster with garden veggies in a tomato broth which she exclaimed over. My lamb in three different preparations on the dish was not as successful however. Ordered rare, it arrived well cooked. The tiny lamb chop was indeed delicious, all one bite of it. The lamb rolled with its own fatty layer was not as appealing while the lamb hash rolled in filo dough and deep fried was just as well left on the plate. Sometimes I think chefs are pressured into being clever rather than really focusing on taste as a priority. They can coexist but so often do not.
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Lamb served in 3 preparations.
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Amuse bouche which really doubled as a course in itself rather than a palate teaser
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The Bayader Restaurant exterior seating next to the pool.
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Asperigus and morels "entre".
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Stewed lobster with garden vegetables in tomato broth.
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The loud soul music issuing forth from the bar next door tended to pry one's attention away from the food which I think is a mistake, unless, of course, there are more dishes that should not be focused on too closely. If so we did not find one. The desserts were good with an excellent chocolate preparation dark and rich. In summary, a very good meal with some unevenness.
However you want to vacation, napping, soaking up the sun, shopping, swimming, hiking, eating, sleeping, wearing a hole in the dance floor - whatever, St. Tropez is a great deal of fun anytime and Byblos adds that extra fillip of pleasure and luxury.
Rooms:
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The lovely Riviera Suite living room. © Roméo Balancourt.
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Tiny arched window by the bed with interior shutter.
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Modern country style bathroom with lots of rustic stone tile, bathtub and shower with private cabinet de toilette.
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Combination of upmarket "chic" and rustic farmhouse texture blends delightfully with sophisticated Provençal colors and fabrics.
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How To Get There:
Driving:
As you come into town, follow the signs for the Citadel.
It is right opposite the park.
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