From the moment it opened its doors back in 1967, Le Byblos has been turning geography and the very notion of time itself on their heads in a joyful fusion that embodies the diversity of cultures that surround the Mediterranean. Come along and take a look at this French Riviera institution!
Provençal poolside vibes
In what was a novelty at the time, Le Byblos was designed as if it were a Provençal hamlet, with colorful houses arranged in tiers around a main esplanade. It forms a real village square, presided over by a hundred-year-old olive tree from Lebanon. In the middle, the heated pool is always 28°C (82.4°F), and along with the solarium begs guests to relax at leisure. And for a sunny lunch, the terrace at Le B is highly recommended. “B” stands for Bardot, of course, and the queen of Saint-Trop’ in the 1970s is still seen as the hotel’s godmother.
Dolce Vita rooms
Each of the 91 rooms, which include 50 suites, features a unique interior that combines antique and bespoke furnishings, while also showcasing the lively colours of the Mediterranean. The coziest? The Missoni suite, which the eponymous brand has infused with its inimitable Italian chic styles, complete with its citrus shades and zig-zag stitching. It's a Med rainbow!
The full fragrance of the East at the spa
A Lebanese lounge imported brick by brick from a 16th century Beirut palace: just what you need to give a beauty treatment some inspiration from the Arabian Nights! The spa’s originality doesn’t end there. Guests who value their privacy can enjoy the exclusive suite with its Jerusalem stone and wooden lattices—to complete this immersion in the ancient beauty rituals of the Mediterranean shores, schedule a visit to the midnight blue and azure granite steam room. It’s an authentic Roman bath house in the heart of Provence.
Riviera flavor at Rivea
In the Rivea at Byblos by Alain Ducasse, the interior conjures up images of the sun-kissed seaside in Provence, with an expansive terrace shaded by those iconic plane trees. The menus draw inspiration from the French and Italian Rivieras, for fragrant cuisine that brings some sun to your taste buds!
The Beirut legend in the Caves du Roy
An exact replica of the original L’Excelsior club in Beirut, Les Caves du Roy occupies a special place for the nightclubbing elite. Grace Jones and Elton John, Mick Jagger (married at Le Byblos in 1971) and Naomi Campbell, (almost) anyone who’s anyone has made it through a Saint-Tropez all-nighter here. The interior was given a makeover over the summer, but the magic is still the same. It’s a night spot that you just can’t afford to miss.
Zoom in: - Discover Le Byblos - Prepare your trip to Provence
By Anne-Claire Delorme
Globetrotting journalist anneclairedelorme@yahoo.fr
