Seaside Hotels in Saint-Tropez and Pampelonne

A free shuttle to the private Jardin Tropézina beach is what makes Airelles Pan Deï Palais easy for families: umbrellas and deckchairs are waiting, and no parking is needed. Back in town, the hotel is a few steps from Place des Lices and the port. Suites are spacious and air-conditioned, many overlook the pool, and the wellness centre has a hammam for parents. Pets are welcome. I would book it for a family stay that mixes village life and beach days.

Hôtel La Ponche suits families with older children who like to walk: the old town, the port and the Citadelle are reachable on foot, and the small beach under the windows allows a morning swim before the crowds arrive. Rooms are air-conditioned, which matters in the Var in July. It is a hotel of 21 rooms in old fishermen's houses, though, not a resort: there is no pool, no kids' club, and the old-town lanes around it are narrow, so the car is best left outside the centre. Pets are welcome. Families who want a pool and space should look towards Ramatuelle.

Hôtel les Bouis is a four-star hotel in Ramatuelle, 800 metres from Pampelonne beach and just over 5 km from Saint-Tropez. For families, that means a beach day without the town traffic, then the outdoor swimming pool and a pine-shaded garden back at the hotel. Rooms have terraces, so parents can sit outside in the evening. Free parking is on site, which matters on this stretch of coast in summer, and WiFi is free.

Althoff Hotel Villa Belrose sits on the hills above Saint-Tropez with panoramic views of the bay, a setting I would reserve for families with older children who enjoy a quieter pace. The heated outdoor pool is the daytime anchor, air-conditioned rooms have private terraces, many facing the sea, and bathrooms are in marble. Parents get a spa and a fine dining restaurant. Guests rate this five-star hotel 9.2, though from only 66 reviews.

Direct beach access with a private beach area is the reason families will look at Villa Playa del Sol - B1, and the Plage de la Bouillabaisse is only a few steps away. A swimming pool with sea views gives children a second place to swim, and the garden and terrace offer shade between sessions. Rooms are air-conditioned with balconies and private bathrooms. A bar covers evening drinks for parents. I would suggest it for a beach-first family stay in Saint-Tropez.

La Bastide d'Antoine is a Provençal-style house about 2 km from the centre of Saint-Tropez, with panoramic views over the bay. For families, the heated outdoor pool is the main draw, and the pool bar with its open fireplace gives parents a relaxed spot in the evening. Rooms are air-conditioned and look onto the garden or the sea. Free parking helps in a town where finding a space in summer is hard, and pets are accepted.

I would pick Hôtel Saint André for a family that wants to step straight onto the beach in Saint-Tropez. The hotel has direct beachfront access, plus a sun terrace and a lush garden for shade in the afternoon. Family rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, minibars and free WiFi. A continental breakfast starts the day, a bar and outdoor seating suit the evening, and pets are welcome.

Hotel Byblos is a grown-up address first, but families can make it work. It sits right inside Saint-Tropez village, so the port, the market on Place des Lices and the citadel are walkable without fighting for summer parking. The heated outdoor pool keeps children busy between outings, while parents can slip away to the Sisley spa or the fitness centre. The rooftop bar and Italian restaurant set an upscale tone. It scores 8.9 from 35 reviews.

Tinah Saint-Tropez is an adults-only hotel, so I would not book it for a family travelling with children. It suits parents on a trip of their own instead. The infinity pool, the sun terrace and the garden set a calm pace, and the air-conditioned rooms have sea views, soundproofing and minibars. Breakfast is a continental buffet with champagne and local specialities, and the restaurant adapts to various dietary needs.

I would book La Ferme d'Augustin for a family that wants a garden and a pool a few steps from the beach. The hotel stands in a lush garden next to the sand of Pampelonne Bay, about a 5-minute drive from Saint-Tropez. The heated outdoor pool is a good alternative on windy days. Rooms and suites are air-conditioned, some with sea views, and the restaurant cooks regional dishes with produce from the garden. Pets are welcome.

I would book Le Mouillage for a family that wants the sea in front and a pool behind, since the hotel stands on the seafront a short walk from Saint-Tropez centre. Its interior courtyard holds a seasonal outdoor pool, a calm spot for children when the beach is crowded. Rooms are air-conditioned with modern decor, a flat-screen TV and a private terrace, which gives everyone a little outdoor space. WiFi is free and pets are welcome.

Direct access to the beach is the main draw of Lou Mare for families: children can reach the sand straight from the hotel. A seasonal outdoor pool and a sun terrace give an alternative when the sea is rough, and the garden is a calm space. Rooms are air-conditioned, many with sea-view balconies, and a continental breakfast is served each day. Family rooms are not listed, so I would check room sizes before booking with more than one child.

Family rooms and interconnecting rooms make Pastis Hotel Saint-Tropez easy for families to book, and direct beach access means the sea is right there. The outdoor pool is open all year, surrounded by a sun terrace and a lush garden, and rooms are air-conditioned with balconies, some with sea views. Breakfast can be served in the room, a shuttle service is available, and private parking is free, which is rare in Saint-Tropez. I would recommend it for a relaxed family stay by the water.