St Tropez - Chateau de la Messardiere
Summer 2007
Frank's view 
“Once upon a time
On a hill far away
Was a fairy tale castle
Overlooking St Tropez”
Well not quite…but Chateau de la Messardiere luxury hotel does bear more than a passing resemblance to something out of a Disney movie.
This pink turreted hotel sits on the hill between St Tropez town and Pampelone beach, positioning it perfectly for easy access to both beach and town. Indeed, upon arrival you can hand over the keys to your “Lambo” and abandon your own wheels to be chauffeured by one of the hotel’s pretty female drivers in the complimentary shuttle bus. Although not luxurious, this is a very sensible option in peak season as the hotel is only a few minutes from Le Place Des Lices and avoids the permanent traffic jam which is St Tropez in July and August.
As is the case with most St Tropez hotels, Chateau de la Messardiere is not what you would describe as a bargain. We have stayed there several times, always in a Seaview Junior Suite, the cost of which ranges from around 500 euros in off season to almost 1000 euros in peak season. Typically our visits have been in June or September, when there is a good chance of an upgrade via the American Express package, as this is in their Leading Hotels of the World programme. It’s also a good time to visit St Tropez as the weather is great but the crowds haven’t yet arrived. You can stay at this hotel in one of their various “double” rooms for a few hundred euros, but, be warned, they are very small. Even the suites have tiny bathrooms.
It is very much a summer hotel, closed between November and late March. The room floors are tiled with the odd rug, and a private terrace can provide fabulous views of Pampleone or the hills to the north.
The hotel pool is large and surrounded by rooms which can either be convenient or an invasion of privacy, depending upon how you view having your “St Tropez home” on show to other sun worshippers as housekeeping tidies your smalls.
On one occasion our package included one complimentary dinner. As requested, we informed the Maitre ‘D as we were seated. However, he seemed to choose to ignore this and when the bill arrived it transpired that the menu we had been given was not the complimentary dinner menu. The result was an unfortunate “spat” and an unsatisfactory compromise. This camel suggests caution and absolute clarity when it comes to accepting apparently generous dining offers.
Our number one reason for returning to Chateau de la Messardiere is its position. If you are going off season we recommend booking via Amex as there are deals to be had. However, during July and August you can forget about upgrades etc. Just be grateful if you can secure a room. Like other top St Tropez hotels, Chateau de la Messardiere is always full.
Chateau de la Messardiere
Route de Tahiti
83990 St Tropez
+33 4 94 56 76 00
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
