This February, Airelles is adding Château de la Messardière and Pan Deï Palais to its prestigious hotel collection which includes Les Airelles (Courchevel), Mademoiselle (Val d’Isère), La Bastide (Gordes), Le Refuge de La Traye (Méribel) and the forthcoming Le Grand Contrôle (Château de Versailles), opening spring 2021.
Château de la Messardière
Nineteenth-century Château de la Messardière is a majestic much-loved 5-star palace hotel perched on a hilltop on the outskirts of Saint-Tropez in its Var region spanning both Provence and the French Riviera. The property, with its trademark domed cupolas and turrets, has undergone extensive renovation over the last two years and is due to open for the summer season on 1st July 2021.
Acquired in May 2019, Château de la Messardière is Saint-Tropez’s largest hotel, occupying 25 acres of glorious grounds overlooking the Côte d’Azur and Provençal countryside. The luxury brand selected highly acclaimed French architect and interior designer, Christophe Tollemer, to oversee the redesign, incorporating the breath-taking views and magical Mediterranean light. Tollemer, also responsible for the interiors at the forthcoming Le Grand Contrôle and other properties in the collection, has taken direct inspiration from the glamorous golden age of the French Rivera. The property first came to life at the beginning of the twentieth century, built as a wedding gift for the famous horseman Henry Brisson de la Messardière and young artist, Louise Dupuy d’Anjeac who spent many happy years there.
ROOMS & SUITES
Following the renovation of some rooms, the hotel has reduced its room count to 103 rooms and suites, each with their own private terrace and has created two signatures suites boasting over 50sqm of living space and one Duplex Villa with three bedrooms and a private swimming pool ideal for families.
PUBLIC AREAS
In 2020, all public areas were completely refurbished including the large 240sqm outdoor swimming pool and terrace. This year, Château de la Messardière will be welcoming a brand-new 25x6 metre outdoor lap pool which features a panoramic view over Pampelonne Bay.
WELLNESS & BEAUTY
Wellness is central to the new-look Château de la Messardière with the creation of a state-of-the-art 1,000 sqm Valmont spa complete with nine treatment rooms, Iyashi Dôme, hammam, sauna, indoor swimming pool and fitness centre. Guests will also be able to enjoy access to an outdoor yoga platform as well as two tennis courts, unique in Saint-Tropez.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Château de la Messardière has completely redesigned its culinary offering with both local and international concepts to delight all. Newly opening highlights include:
An extravagant buffet with a wide variety of fine foods on offer; open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
One of the most iconic restaurants in Saint-Tropez arrives at Château de la Messardière with its authentic Provençal cuisine with traditional specialties; open for dinner
A curated cocktail menu with tributes to the late and great of Château de la Messardière and Saint-Tropez including Fitzgerald's favorite gin tipple and Picasso’s beloved absinthe.
This year, keen sun worshippers will be able to make an early start and enjoy breakfast on the beach at the hotel’s stylish beach club, Jardin Tropézina. Also available for lunch and dinner, the restaurant is located five minutes away. Transfers will be available on request.
Guests venturing into town are also invited to enjoy creative Italian cuisine from the highly-acclaimed chef Marco Garfagnini at sister restaurants Zetta, located in the heart of Saint-Tropez between the port and Place des Lices, and the ever-popular Dolceva, now located in hotel Pan Deï Palais.
KINGDOM OF CHILDREN
Housed in a custom-built 500m2 villa the sparkling new Kid’s Kingdom is guaranteed to amuse younger guests from three years old to teens with thoughtfully designed areas for different age groups. There will be a large outdoor area for play and sports activities, complete with trampolines, a dedicated swimming pool and splash zone, a mini farm with resident rabbits and hens, and a treehouse and treetop adventure park.
The pool-area will be supervised by trained-staff during all operating hours. Parents have the option to leave children aged three and over with the hotel’s highly trained children’s team. Children under three must be accompanied by their parents. The Kid’s Kingdom will offer a selection of creative and nutritious meals for children as well as a daily programme of exciting activities for all ages.
Newly-appointed General Manager François Arrighi will lead the ‘new-look’ Château de la Messardière into its next exciting chapter. Well respected in the industry, François has 25 years of hotel experience and is very familiar with the Airelles brand, having previously held the position of General Manager at the flagship, Les Airelles. François joins Château de la Messardière in January 2020, directly from the Four Seasons Megève Collection and prior to this he was Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris.
Pan Deï Palais
Pan Deï Palais is one of the most notable addresses in St Tropez with a history dating back to 1820. Ideally located in the centre of the old village on Rue Gambetta, the mansion is steps away from Place des Lices and just a five-minute walk from the harbour. The stylish and historic hotel boasts a contemporary style with an Indian influence, and is also available for exclusive use with ten guest rooms and two suites.
Pan Deï Palais has undergone a complete redesign of its exotic gardens and pool area as well as a stylish refurbishment of the interiors, unveiling a transformed entrance, bar area and a new-look Dolceva restaurant helmed by Marco Garfagnini.
Newly-appointed General Manager Aya Hanova joined Pan Deï Palais in December 2020, bringing her experience in luxury hospitality to help lead the property into its exciting new chapter with Airelles. Having worked for many years in Parisian luxury properties such as Four Seasons George V and Rosewood Hotel de Crillon, leading operational teams and implementing various projects, Aya also spent two years in Dubai with Jumeirah as the Director of Rooms in iconic Burj Al Arab hotel.
