published on in today

Airelles St-Tropez Chteau de la Messardire Hotel Review, France

Allow ample time for breakfast, a gourmet al fresco affair with lavish 22.5m-long buffet and chefs live-cooking bacon and veal sausages, eggs in every shape and form, crepes, waffles and surely the finest caramelised French toast in France. Organic jams, including lavender-laced apricot, are sublime. All-day dining is available on the terrace bar and poolside. Come sunset, a trio of terrace restaurants with live music burst into life. Italian antipasti and primi cooked up at Carrara and the traditional Provencal dishes – including divine fried courgette flowers – at Auberge des Maures are all ideal for sharing. The latter – a legendary St-Tropez kitchen since 1931 – moved from the village to Messardière with Airelles.

From the joyous cry of ‘welcome’ in Japanese upon entering, to the DJ-spun tunes and sake cocktails, Matsuhisa is as uber-cool as one would expect of a Nobu address. The revisited sashimi flamed in sesame oil, yellowtail jalapeño and black cod marinated in miso for three days are all amazing – or order the Omakase tasting menu (€110 [£93]).

Don’t miss lunch and/or cocktails on the sand at beach club Jardin Tropezine. Seasonal dishes include avocado with crab tartare, sea bass ceviche spiced with coconut and samphire, and a sensational blue lobster roll. The catch of the day – bass, bream, sole or lobster accompanied by sweet potato, parmesan, cheddar or truffle fries perhaps – is filleted à la table.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbHLnp6rmaCde6S7ja6iaKyilsOmuI6dnKysmaOutbXOp6ponaWnvLGxjp%2BpmqaTmnyku9OeZJ1lka%2FCs3vSmqCnrF2pv7C8xLNmoaekmrm0e8CiqZ6knJrAbr%2FTZqurp6Cax26vx5qrnpmlYrGmecuaZKado6ius7DInqmeZZikwaa4jg%3D%3D