St.-Tropez: Where to Stay: Value: Pastis Hotel de St. Tropez

Pastis Hotel de St. Tropez

Overlooking the Bay of St.-Tropez, the nine spacious rooms of this guesthouse combine elegant interiors with a contemporary twist. Owners John and Pauline Larkin, two former London-based designers, have infused the hotel with a hip-meets-Provence atmosphere. A cutting-edge art collection lines the walls, including photographs by Robert Doisneau and David Hockney, as well as works by Fernand Léger and Roy Lichtenstein. At Pastis’s retro zinc bar, adorned with vintage Sex Pistols and Rolling Stone album covers, you can sample some of the region’s best local wines by the glass. During the day, guests—an international crowd of summer revelers and boho baby boomers—relax by the palm-shaded pool and garden courtyard. It may not offer a superluxe experience, but for people who like an intimate, art-filled setting, this affordable B&B, which is a ten-minute walk to town and open year-round, is a good choice. And the Larkins are always happy to share their insiders’ picks with their guests. Rooms from $470.