Sezz Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez

Characterized by its pink, orange and red colored houses surrounding its prestigious yacht basin, Saint-Tropez is considered to be one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful fishing villages.

Emerging from anonymity at the end of the 19^th century thanks to writers including Guy de Maupassant and painters like Paul Signac, it continues to attract artists and intellectuals. Colette, Jean Cocteau, Jean Marais, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Matisse and Picasso, to mention just a few, spent long periods of time here, inspired by its beauty. The village however, entered a new legendary are after the discovery of Brigitte Bardot and her role in the film, “And God Created Woman.”

As the capital of the jet set since the 1950s, one comes here to see and to be seen! Yachts belonging to the world’s multimillionaires and celebrities the world over come here on vacation. And yet, Saint-Tropez also possesses a rich cultural life, and anyone coming here with an interest in history, art and culture will not be disappointed. While strolling through the narrow streets, one can admire the ochre and burnt Sienna parish church whose bell tower is among the purest on the Var coast, the citadel overlooking the village or the Ponche beach with its ochre and yellow houses.

A haven of design peace and quiet

Just 3 kilometers from the village of Saint-Tropez on the Salins road, we find the Seez Saint-Tropez, a design boutique-hotel overlooking the Canebiers beach. Its owner, Shahé Kalaidjian, surrounded himself with a quartet of renowned hotel specialists to create this chic, design and gourmet site.

Jean-Jacques Ory designed the exterior architecture and Christophe Pillet the interiors. The sumptuous gardens are the work of Christophe Ponceau and the gastronomy is orchestrated by Pierre Gagnaire. The result is incredible: a charming boutique-hotel which blends perfectly into its natural environment. The buildings are situated around the swimming pool in a lush garden offering guests total Provencal luxury.

The tone is set as soon as you enter the lobby. The light and space, considered by Shahé Kalaidjian to be the quintessence of luxury, are highlighted. An immense bay window surrounded by metal culminates at a height of 9 meters under the ceiling, enabling the interior and the exterior to blend uninterruptedly into one another. The furniture is the work of Christophe Pillet and the Emeco chaises longues are a subtle reference to the design style of the 1950s.

The 35 immense and brightly lit rooms are like chic, design bungalows. The smallest measures 40 square meters with a 5 meters high ceiling. The walls are in structured concrete, and the floor consists of large stone tiles, adding an indispensable feeling of freshness to the warm climate of the region. The rooms open onto the exterior through a huge bay window with light, stretched curtains to preserve the guests’ intimacy. Inside, touches of color enhance the palette of neutral tones, and all of the 1950s inspired furniture bears the signature of Christophe Pillet. The designer opted for contemporary pieces with very pure lines and noble but discreet materials.

In the bathrooms, the lacquered walls contrast with the gray stone, the fitted bathtub and the totally glass shower. Everything here was designed to enable guests to enjoy a moment of aquatic relaxation and the view at the same time. Theepitome of luxury and comfort is the outdoor shower where guests can rinse themselves with salt from the Mediterranean under the blue sky, the palms and conifers of the Saint-Tropez peninsula.

The rooms, a subtle blend of sobriety, opulence and simplicity all open onto a private terrace leading to the swimming pool and the private gardens. Two 90 square meters villas are also part of this idyllic setting.

The spa decorated with typical Provencal style materials like old wood, solid oak and stone tiles, is an invitation to wellbeing, and the Dom Perignon Bar, next to the swimming pool is a chic and elegant relaxation space which livens up considerably at night.

But before heading for the bar, a visit to the Colette, the Seez’s restaurant, facing the swimming pool, is strongly recommended. Named after the famous woman of letters who lived next door for a long time, it was created by the renowned Michelin starred Chef, Pierre Gagnaire. The excellent Mediterranean cuisine is enhanced by being in the midst of olive and palm trees.

Located at a short distance from the hyperactive Saint-Tropez, the Seez is a veritable cocoon and a haven of peace and serenity.