Muse Saint-Tropez

Five minutes by car to the left to the Center Ville, five minutes by car to the right to the Plage de Pampelonne. Whether "à gauche ou à droite": These are small side roads with little traffic, even in high season, that lead you to your destination. In the high season, this is quite a location advantage. If this hotel test were based on location alone, the Muse would be our "premier choix"! Anyone lying by the glamorous pool here (the hotel's own "sun butler" takes care of the sun cream?!) or strolling through the garden between fragrant lavender borders and cypresses rising steeply into the sky may hear a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves, but what they definitely won't hear is the roar of the over-bred luxury cars that jam around the bay of St. Tropez between the beginning of July and the end of August. What also contributes to the Provençal paradise atmosphere is the village-like character of the hotel resort, which has both a traditional pétanque court and an old round tower, which now houses the reception. Guests stay in 16 rooms and suites spread across the entire area. Instead of being simply numbered, they bear the illustrious names of great 20th century muses.

Would Audrey Hepburn have felt as comfortable in the duplex suite named after her as we do? "Qui sait ...". The heavenly comfortable bed from Versailles court purveyor Henryot would certainly have given her just as sweet dreams and a restful sleep as it did us. And the many Assouline coffee table books in the beige and white living room would certainly have been to her taste. However, we are not so sure about the bathroom on the second floor, which is shamefully hidden behind a curtain. Such a small room, which is far too small, does not do justice to a true lady - and we didn't want to experience any feelings of wellness at all. But that's why there's a large glamping tent in the garden with spa treatments that will make even the muses happy again.