La Réserve de Beaulieu

Between Nice and Monaco is the seaside town of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, a classic French Riviera destination that’s home to one of the region’s finest small hotels. La Réserve de Beaulieu began in 1880 as a seafood-focused restaurant; in 1905 it added its first guest rooms, and a hospitality legend was born. Today this Florentine-style villa is remarkable for its well-preserved Belle Époque character — and for how relevant the spirit of 1905 still is for 21st-century luxury-hotel guests.

With just 39 rooms and suites it’s able to remain intimate, personal, and even somewhat residential in aspect. And while the style of the interiors might look familiar to travelers from a century ago, it looks as fresh as can be — and admits of some essential modern elements, like modern marble-clad bathrooms and high-tech in-room comforts. The most desirable rooms have impressive direct views of the Mediterranean, some from private terraces or balconies.

Among the wellness offerings are a heated swimming pool, a spa by La Prairie, and the Grand Salon, a lounge reserved for relaxation. More lively social spaces include the swanky Gordon Bennett Bar, the bistro-style Table de la Réserve, and the Restaurant des Rois, with its panoramic view of the Mediterranean (and its MICHELIN Star).