The best plans are no plans

I’m going to jump right in—this was a very last-minute getaway. I had just woken up, still lying in bed, when Rob—already awake and tapping away on his phone—casually announces, “I think we should go to Saint-Tropez.”

Um, okay… when?
“Today,” he says.

A little side story: on our last little escape to Castillon du Gard (which you can read about [here]), we met a lovely couple. We swapped travel stories, and they mentioned they were heading to Saint Tropez next. Naturally, we asked, “Where do you stay?”
“Oh, we always stay at this charming family-run boutique hotel in the old town—Hotel des Lices.” We mentally bookmarked it for the future.

Fast forward to my barely awake morning, Rob was already looking it up. “They’ve got a great deal,” he said. “Only one night available.”

Oh, and did I mention this was the busiest long weekend in France?

And the best part? We booked the last room for under 200 euros. 🤯

Let’s go!

I know I didn’t need to share all these details, but this little bit of intel was huge! I love discovering off-the-beaten-path spots that aren’t 800 euros a night. When locals—or travellers who’ve been returning to the same place for years—recommend somewhere, that’s always a good sign.

Hotel des Lices

This place was something special.

Hotel des Lice was love at first sight—like stepping back in time to vintage Saint-Tropez. Think Brigitte Bardot-era charm: understated, glamorous and full of character. Our room, the Classic Street, was clean, modern, and very comfortable. Yes, I would’ve loved a room with a balcony overlooking the pool, but this was the last one available—and honestly, it was perfect for what we needed. Last minute travel also means staying flexible.

Odette, the hotel restaurant is equally charming. It’s the kind of spot where you could linger for hours over rosé and people-watch. The food is delish too!

Old Town

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from Saint-Tropez. I’d been to Cannes, Antibes, and recently Nice—how would it differ? Would it be overly flashy? Packed with tourists? But as soon as we arrived, I felt the difference. It had this effortless charm—yes, it’s glamorous, but in a laid-back way.

Well, okay—except for the enormous yachts that dwarfed the harbour.
Still, it somehow felt more like a seaside village than a full-on jet-set scene.

Le Pré de la Mer

We loved our one night in Saint-Tropez so much that we crossed our fingers and hoped for a cancellation at Hotel des Lices. Unfortunately, no luck. Sad, but not deterred, we decided to look for another hotel nearby with a vacancy for just one more night.

Lo and behold, Rob did his due diligence and found: Le Pré de la Mer. I’ll be honest—we paid a bit more for this one. It was quasi in the budget, but we decided it was worth the splurge. Besides, we weren’t ready to go home.

The vibe was completely different: charming bungalows with private patios, a serene pool, and a relaxed, boutique feel. Just a 10-minute drive from the old town, it felt like a quiet little retreat—close enough to the buzz, but peaceful enough to feel like a true escape.

Where we ate

Saint Tropez is home to some incredible restaurants, and one of the most iconic is Chez Camille—famous for its bouillabaisse and fresh seafood since 1953. We’d heard fantastic things, but sadly couldn’t get a reservation. Just another reason to come back.

However, La Ramade was a highlight, and just steps from Hotel des Lice. The wood-fire cooking was delicious, and the setting—twinkle lights strung under a canopy of trees—was so pretty.

LE CLUB 55

One of the must-do experiences in Saint-Tropez? Le Club 55 on Pampelonne Beach, about 5 km from Saint‑Tropez’s old town. We booked the day before, hoping for a last-minute lunch reservation—but unfortunately, no luck. It’s the spot to see and be seen, and we knew it would’ve been a highlight. That iconic beachfront setting, the energy—it’s everything you imagine when you think of the Riviera.

That said, not all was lost—we still had a front-row beach spot for €40 per person, plus €19 for one umbrella. Expensive? Sure. But it’s Saint-Tropez—you can’t really argue with that. And happily, we were able to enjoy a casual, reasonably priced meal at the beach hut on the same property. It turned out to be the perfect day.

I was genuinely impressed by Pampelonne Beach—no high-rises, no flashy shops, just a raw, natural stretch of coastline. Yes, there are beach clubs, but nothing over-the-top, and I loved that.

We really got a taste of two very different sides of Saint-Tropez. Staying in the old town at Hotel des Lice was probably my favourite—super walkable, full of charm, and no need for a car. Everything felt within easy reach, from cafés to shops to the harbour. Out by Le Pré de la Mer, the vibe was quieter and more secluded, having a car was essential—or be prepared for cab fares. Both experiences had their own appeal, giving us a well-rounded glimpse of Saint-Tropez’s unique blend of village life and relaxed coastal luxury.

As a little aside, Le Yaca came highly recommended during our search, so we made a point to walk by and do a bit of snooping. It’s absolutely gorgeous! It was fully booked, of course, not in the cards for this trip, but one to save for a future splurge. 😉

What an incredible time

We’ll definitely be back—and for anyone thinking about a spontaneous trip, don’t be afraid to make last-minute plans. Just maybe bring a laptop to help with the hotel hunt!