When you arrive at AREV in St.Tropez, you might ask yourself what the large lettering in the grand pool really means. When you realise that it is a word game describing a dream come true in the sun, you will feel that you are in the right place. This small hotel, located in the residential hills above the village of St. Tropez, feels almost like a private home. There is no concierge desk or check-in table, just friendly staff who welcome you, show you around, and do their best to make every dream come true during your stay.
We took a room with a patio garden situated right next to a smaller pool, which had a relaxing, family-home feel to it. Breakfast is served à la carte in the garden, under pine trees, with homemade dishes to help you start your day in a relaxed way.
The most exceptional part is the staff, who do a great job from the moment the voiturier takes your car. He is also the concierge, and when he takes us to a hidden beach the next day in the hotel’s own Méhari car, it is not just any beach, but one that is also easy to reach by bike from the hotel.
It is this unassuming, yet effective, service that puts you in a holiday mood. It lets you embrace all the details that this place has to offer. This includes the homemade biscuits that welcome you alongside a bottle of chilled rosé made from Ramatuelle grapes, as well as the spa skincare line MAISON ST, a local artisanal brand that fills the space with a warm, floral scent using only local ingredients.
The interior is a combination of the quintessential French Riviera style and feels like an exquisite private estate. The balance between bold graphics and Provençal warmth was created by Madrid-based interior designer Luis Bustamante, and it is not only a design statement, but also a harmonious combination of Mediterranean colours and textures in a timeless way.
You can have dinner at The Strand, a well-known St Tropez restaurant which has now been relocated to the hotel in a beautiful garden setting, or you could also walk for ten minutes to the village, where there are lots of restaurants.
AREV is a very charming place, very typical of the South of France and St. Tropez, and perfect for a summer getaway.
