Admittedly, I walked into Arev, a new hotel in St. Tropez, a little worse for the wear. The night before, I was at a wedding nearby where the reception started at 9 p.m. and didn’t stop until the sun came up. But while most of my fellow guests had taken a shuttle straight to the Nice Airport, I was here for an extra day. So there I was, bleary-eyed and hungover in a wrinkled dress—likely not the Vogue editor they expected, but the one they got.
Immediately, the staff sprung into action. An attendant brought me a cappuccino and a pastry basket, while another told me they would expedite my room to be ready for an early check-in. In the meantime, they gently suggested, perhaps I should check out the spa?
At a hotel like this, it’s easy to offer such personalized service. There are only 43 rooms, meaning even at full occupancy, there are under 90 guests at all times. Plus, there’s no formal check-in desk or lobby at Arev. Instead, you walk into what feels like an entryway to a house—except instead of a living room before you, there’s a restaurant and hotel bar.
Madrilenõ designer Luis Bustamante is the mastermind behind the interiors. I can best describe them as like being inside the world’s most impeccably decorated yacht: couches and chairs are covered in navy or red upholstery, whereas the ceiling is a light wood. The walls, meanwhile, are painted either royal blue or white. Stripes, in all forms, abound.
Although there are plenty of inside areas to enjoy, the outdoor terrace—delightfully shaded from the St. Tropez sun—is where I decide to take my coffee. There’s an olive tree there, which a waiter tells me is over 100 years old. A garden sits beyond.
It’s tranquil here this morning, but later in the afternoon, it picks up. A DJ begins playing by the pool to the delight of several guests: this in St. Tropez, a place with a world-renowned party scene, after all. At Arev, there are plenty of places to be social: their courtyard, called “Place des Oliviers,” boasts two shops, another restaurant, and a food truck, while the grounds also include a padel court. I’m in a more solitary mood, however. So I decide to go into town to do some shopping. It’s only a five-minute walk—or two-minute bike ride—away.
When I return, it’s time for dinner. The Arev team have revived the Strand Restaurant and Champagne Lounge, a legendary St. Tropez restaurant that closed a few years ago. Now, it’s located at the hotel, and it is delicious: I splurge on the Dover sole and eat most of it, even though it’s big enough for two. I wash it down with a delicious blackberry mocktail. (At this point, I’m still struggling, but in my attempts at being a semi-respectable journalist, I ask the table next to me about their alcoholic beverages. “It’s the best cocktail I’ve ever had!” The woman responds enthusiastically.)
Just then, I receive an Instagram DM from my friend who was at the wedding. “Are you at the Arev?” they ask. “Me too.”
“I’m at dinner, come say hi!” I respond.
They start typing, then stop, then start typing again. “I’m already in bed. They’re so comfy here.”
And just like that, I get my check.
My room boasts the same nautical-inspired color scheme as the social spaces in the hotel, but a little more pared back: bright colors serve as trims for a more soothing palette of whites and creams. In my bathroom are products by local company Maison St. that are made from Tropezian herbs. There’s also a small patio with chaise loungers—perfect if you want to soak up the sun in private.
I climb into bed and my friend is right: with its French bed linens and Hungarian goose-down duvet and pillow, it feels like a cloud. With a switch, I activate my blackout shades. Sleep comes almost instantaneously.
The next morning, I wake up completely refreshed. I get a smoothie and avocado toast for breakfast, and text my friend if she’d like to join me. No response—she’s still sleeping.
Alone, I start mulling my afternoon… and how that DJ by the pool now sounds fun, actually.
