Luxury hotel holiday Les Roches Rouges Saint-Raphael

Built into the clifftop between Saint-Raphaël and Cannes, the five-star Les Roches Rouges is a striking 1950s modernist hotel set where the red rocks of the Estérel Massif meet the Mediterranean. Dating from the golden age of the French Riviera, this landmark building has been carefully restored by the Parisian design duo Festen, who removed later additions to reveal the building’s original mid-century character and enhance the coastal panorama. The hotel’s 67 rooms and suites, including 25 newly designed by ASL architects, are arranged across terraced levels, each featuring clean lines and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the sea views. Interiors reflect the natural colours of the coastline – deep blues, warm ochres, and crisp whites – complemented by mid-century furniture pieces by Charlotte Perriand and Guy Bareff. Chef Alexandre Baule leads the culinary experience across three venues: the Michelin-starred Récif restaurant, with its modern Provençal cuisine; Estelo, serving seasonal Mediterranean dishes; and La Chicoula, a beachside guinguette set amongst the pine trees. The hotel’s two swimming pools offer something for everyone: a natural seawater pool carved into the coastal rocks allows guests to swim directly into the sea, whilst a 22-metre lap pool provides a more traditional swimming experience. The spa provides treatments using local ingredients, including sea salt and herbs. The private beach includes a pontoon for guests arriving to the hotel by boat. This combination of restored modernist architecture, natural setting, and contemporary facilities creates a distinctive Côte d’Azur retreat that honours both its mid-century heritage and its stunning coastal location.