Tiara Miramar Beach Hôtel & Spa ★★★★★

Where better to indulge in a luxurious break beside the sea than the Cote d’Azur? Everyone knows about the glittering glitz and glam of Cannes, home to film stars and playground for international jetsetters, but the coastline around the exclusive village of Théoule-sur-Mer - just half an hour or so along the French Riviera - is a little more under the radar. The scenery is simply breath-taking, with craggy red cliffs plunging into the clear, cobalt waters of the Mediterranean. Luxurious residences and hotels are scattered around the picturesque coves which surround the historic fishing village, sparkling in the scorching sunshine and gazing longingly out towards the horizon.

The Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel & Spa is one of the latest additions to this magnificent stretch of coastline. Just like the area itself, it is all about discreet luxury and class, surpassing the high standards already set by hotels which are well accustomed to welcoming jet-setting guests through their doors. The staff will go to any lengths to make you feel right at home and pamper you like royalty, while the facilities will leave you wanting for nothing. Want to take a dip in a pool with a view while ice-cold cocktails are sporadically placed in your hand? No problem. Or how about sunbathing on a private beach area, unwinding in a peaceful spa or eating like a king on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean? Rest assured that all bases are covered.

Recently renovated, the rooms are as beautifully designed as they are spacious and luxurious. A touch of exotic intrigue is added by the oriental details, making each bedroom extremely easy on the eye, while they are also exceptionally comfortable thanks to the high quality bedding, all the latest mod cons and enormous bathrooms with lovely Italian showers. This is all topped off with a private balcony or terrace with sea views to die for, a glorious sight to open your curtains to in the morning and a romantic spot to watch the sun set with a drink in hand a little later on.

Just in case a night in your own private haven of five-star relaxation and style doesn’t have you waking up feeling quite pampered enough, the Tiara Miramar also boasts a brilliant spa. Peace and tranquillity reign, while prestigious Sotys brand products and relaxation techniques from around the world are combined to provide a superb range of treatments which will have you feeling utterly soothed and revitalised in no time. If you prefer to get your fill of relaxation outside, where you can enjoy those endless Mediterranean views, simply set up on one of the loungers beside the pool or on the hotel’s private ‘beach’ area, with the waves lapping at your feet and a beach bar to keep you hydrated. It is hard to imagine a more perfect spot to unwind after working up a sweat in the state of the art gym or on the tennis court!

Of course, if there’s one thing you would expect from a five-star hotel in France, it would be great food. And the Tiara Miramar certainly does not disappoint! It offers a choice of two bars and two restaurants, using fresh and local produce to delight your taste buds. MoYa is the beachside restaurant, offering some welcome respite from the sun and stunning views as you enjoy a light lunch or even one of their barbecue nights. Then there is the Bistrot M, where traditional Provencal cooking is mastered and reinvented with the additions of Spanish-style tapas and Oriental mezze.

Between the cuisine, the surroundings, the style, the service and the facilities, the Tiara Miramar is more or less the perfect French Riviera hotel. Whether you want to beat the crowds to Cannes’s fancy designer boutiques in winter or bask under the Mediterranean sunshine in the summer, it remains one of the Cote d’Azur’s top hotels all year round. If there is just one thing to criticise, perhaps it’s that this lifestyle of unbridled luxury makes it hard to return to everyday life – whether you’re here for one night or two weeks, you will soon find that you never want to leave!