Le Chateau du Domaine St Martin , Avenue des Templiers, 06140 Vence (00 33 4 93 58 02 02, chateau-st-martin.com).

Fantastic views over the Côte from this sumptuous hotel above Vence. Impeccable service, infinity pool, tennis court, knock-out terrace and top-quality restaurant, if a bit stuffy. There were five Gucci bags in there one night. Prices start at £150 a night and rocket.

La Colombe D'Or , Place du General de Gaulle, St Paul de Vence (00 33 4 93 32 80 02). The favourite of a laid-back arty/media crowd, this wonderfully eccentric hotel has a fabulous private collection of paintings by the likes of Picasso, Matisse and Miró, all of whom traded paintings for room or board. Famous patio restaurant. Prices start at £136 per room.

Martinez , 73 bd Croisette, Cannes (00 33 4 92 98 73 00, fax: 0033 4 93 39 67 82). Art deco style on the front with a private sandy beach on the Med. Elegant restaurant and two bars. Rooms start at £150.

Byblos , Ave P Signac, St Tropez (00 33 4 94 56 68 00, fax: 0033 4 94 56 68 01). Built like a village amid olive trees and giant bougainvillea with 52 rooms and 43 suites, this is smart and extremely well appointed. The nightclub, Les Caves du Roy, is an over-the-top experience. Singles from £170, doubles from £210.

Le Grimaldi , 15 rue Grimaldi 06000 Nice (00 33 4 93 16 00 24, le-grimaldi.com). It's hard to believe that a room in this small but luxurious hotel just three minutes' walk from the seafront can be yours for as little as about £50pp. Le Grimaldi is an affordable luxury, but it's worth the extravagance of an extra Ffr100 to have breakfast brought up to your room on a tray laden with criossants and other goodies. Bar but no restaurant. Singles start at £51, doubles at £57.