St.-Tropez: Where to Stay: Luxury: Byblos

Byblos

This resort, with its brightly colored houses evocative of a Provençal village, is perennially trendy and packed with the international beau monde during peak season. (This summer marks the hotel’s 40th anniversary, so expect even more excitement than usual.) Guests vary from movie stars to slick pink-shirted playboys and fashionistas sporting hot pants and cowboy boots. That’s part of the fun, though, because as exclusive as the place is, the spirit is bon enfant and not in the least pretentious—thanks in part to the friendly, ultraprofessional staff.

Splurge on one of the extravagant duplexes or suites, some of which have private terraces. If you’re an inveterate people-watcher, book the newly revamped Riviera Suite, which has a big sitting room directly above the inner courtyard and the pool. (Lap swimmers may find the pool disappointingly small; it lends itself more for quick dips.) Some guests rarely venture outside the hotel for days: there are two superb restaurants, Le B. and Alain Ducasse’s Spoon Byblos a renowned club, Les Caves du Roy and clothing and swimwear boutiques. And the brand-new Essential Treatment Sisley Spa offers a choice of massages and treatments, including the Ultimate Byblos antiaging treatment. Rooms from $525.