The Hotel Byblos in St Tropez has been the last word in exceptional style ever since, playing host to a galaxy of stellar names, including Jack Nicholson, Grace Jones, Clint Eastwood and Cher. Mick and Bianca Jagger even spent their honeymoon at the Byblos, in the process promoting the hotel’s unrivalled chic ambience to a world avidly following the couple’s every move.
Its history dates back to 65 years, when two men were chatting on the terrace of a restaurant in Byblos, an area in the north of Beirut. One of them, Jean-Prosper Gay-Para, revealed to the other that he was smitten with Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress.
That very night, he resolved to build an impossibly stylish hotel as a tribute to her. He told his companion of his desire to construct, “A palace worthy of A Thousand and One Nights, unique in its kind, from one side of the Mediterranean to the other.”
The Suite Deluxe blends vibrant Saint-Tropez spirit with bold 1970s-inspired touches and handcrafted details. Spacious and stylish, it offers a private retreat with garden views and a warm, eclectic charm.
Seven years later, Gay-Para’s dream came true. In 1967, the wonderfully raffiné Hotel Byblos – named after the location of the initial discussion – was opened in Saint-Tropez at a splendiferous three-day party attended by more than 700 guests.
The guest of honour? Why, Brigitte Bardot, of course.
And so, a star hotel was born.
Apart from being a favourite among A list celebrities, the property has been a key location in Riviera, Sky’s upscale drama about living the high life on the Côte d’Azur. Could the hotel be any classier?
That feeling of effortless refinement is only enhanced by its latest development: four new suites created by leading Paris-based interior designer Laura Gonzalez. Her portfolio encompasses a wide range of projects, from top-of-the-range luxury residences to high-end hospitality spaces such the recently opened Hotel Hana and Cartier. The hallmark of her work is melding the classic with the contemporary. Her high-class designs are also characterised by exceptional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail.
Spread over 45sqm, the Junior Suite features a king-size bed, a living area, and views of the village. Vibrant colours, handcrafted marquetry doors, and a ceramic minibar, bring the joyful spirit of the Côte d’Azur to this charming suite.
For the Byblos, her first project in Saint-Tropez, Gonzalez took inspiration from the hotel’s storied history, merging traditional elegance with state-of-the-art modern design. Drawing on the rich colours of the Med, the suites are decorated in subtle palettes of coral, yellow, turquoise and celadon.
The interior designer has also deployed an entrancing selection of mosaics and ceramics, which hark back to the hotel’s long-standing association with such acclaimed artists as Roger Capron. In the suite deluxe, for instance, she has included a gorgeous antique coffee table by Capron.
Gonzalez’s design for the new suites incorporates other exquisite bespoke features, such as ceramic mini bars based on the travel trunks popular in the 1970s and hand-made marquetry wooden doors.
With serene views of the hotel’s gardens, the Deluxe Double Room is a spacious retreat full of warm colours and rich fabrics.
The interior designer is excited by the Byblos collaboration, emphasising that guests will feel enveloped by a warm hug in the new suites. “The concept aims to retain the essence of Byblos, embracing a familiar and welcoming atmosphere.”
These four stunning new suites will no doubt redefine the idea of luxury accommodation in St Tropez. Their unveiling means that, like the timelessly beautiful woman who inspired its creation, Hotel Byblos will carry on dazzling with its magnetic aura of sophistication.
Book your stay, HERE.
Author: James Rampton
British Airways flies from London Heathrow, Gatwick, and City Airport to Nice (the closest international aiport to St Tropez) from £189 each way, including taxes and carrier fees.
Other luxury hotels that you may find captivating include the Bab Samhan in Diriyah, the Trou aux Biches Beachcomber in Mauritius, or Alphonse Island in the Seychelles.
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