Le Saint-Paul

There's more to the Côte D'Azur than the opulent casino hotels of Monte Carlo and the grand palaces of Cannes — and Le Saint-Paul is a perfect example of the alternative. The walled town of Saint Paul de Vence is just 15 kilometers from Nice airport, midway between Cannes and Monaco, but seems to belong to a different world, with its narrow streets, centuries-old fortifications, and its spectacular vistas over the valley and the Mediterranean beyond.

The hotel itself is a bit on the cozy side, a result of its heritage as a private residence — evidently sixteenth-century Frenchmen made do with spaces somewhat smaller than today's sprawling executive suites. What they lack in sheer square-footage, these rooms make up for in charm and comfort, decorated in printed fabrics and antique furniture, many with balconies opening onto a dramatic valley view.

Le Saint-Paul's restaurant is gaining in reputation, not least for the physical surroundings; one vaulted dining room is decked out with murals and frescoes, another features a fountain, and terrace dining is available for those who wish to savor the open air and the views. But the south of France is hardly at a loss for fine dining options — Le Saint-Paul's appeal is its coziness, its romantic seclusion, and its location, high above (yet still convenient to) the glitz and glamor of the Côte D'Azur.

Please note that this hotel is seasonally closed from November to March.