Photo Credit: LUX HOTEL WHITE PALACE

Have a haute, hot summer indeed at these elegant European oceanfront retreats!

ST. TROPEZ, FRANCE

HÔTEL BYBLOS

Photo Credit: Ramatuelle_Hotel Byblos Saint Tropez

What better place for a luxe beach vacation than the glamorous French Riviera? If your goal is to see and be seen, then head to Pampelonne Beach for its myriad high-end beach clubs (the iconic Le Club 55 is a standout) and staggering amount of star sighting at any given time of summer; Nikki Beach for a nonstop beach party; and, if you prefer something completely different, Bonne Terrasse for its wonderful wildlife: It’s rife with French tortoises and Peregrine falcons. While there are no shortages of glitzy places to stay in this playground for the rich and famous, we recommend the iconic Hôtel Byblos, which, though in itself is not strictly on the beach, launched its new beach club this spring on Pampelonne Beach.

Photo Credit: Alexandre Chaplier

Byblos Beach Ramatuelle is already one of the hottest spots on the Riviera thanks to its stellar views, fabulous seafood menu and sensational design courtesy of François Frossard (who also recently redesigned the hotel’s nightclub Les Caves du Roy), an homage to the world of sailing. The addition of its beach club is just the latest smooth move for Byblos, which is centrally located in the heart of Saint-Tropez between the Citadel and the “Place des Lices.” This five-star palace also offers lavish experiences via its Spa by Sisley Cosmetics, an endermologie LPG care center, 24-hour Clefs d’Or concierge service, a 2,000-square-foot suite designed by Missoni Home and Cucina Byblos, a restaurant overseen by master chef Alain Ducasse, which will replace Le Rivea on Avenue Foch.
20 Avenue Paul Signac, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France

CAPRI, ITALY

PUNTA TRAGARA

Photo Credit: Punta Tragara

Glitz and glamour, thy name is Capri. Head to this fabulous island off Italy’s Bay of Naples for limoncello, luxury and star-spotting. The isle’s best beaches include the beloved Bagni di Tiberio, a favorite of Emperor Augustus over 2,000 years ago and still a favored locale today; Faraglioni, a celebrity haunt with two private beach clubs; and Marina di Piccola, where the water is so sparkling it can almost hurt your eyes. For the best of Capri rolled into one stellar spot, book a stay at Punta Tragara, which offers awe-inspiring views of the Faraglioni rocks and Marina Piccola, with the historic Piazzetta town center just a short jaunt away.

Photo Credit: Mammà restaurant

This lovely hotel offers more than just a beautiful setting and a wellness-inspired spa―it is also home to the Michelin-starred Caprese restaurant Mammà. Here you’ll find the quintessence of Mediterranean cuisine, a perfect combination between “just the way Mamma makes it” and a decisively modern approach in a setting that will make you sigh with happiness: a view of the Gulf of Naples and a glimpse of Capri’s center square. Make sure to catch the sunset—it’s majestic.
Via Tragara, 57, 80073 Capri NA, Italy

THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

VILA VITA PARC RESORT & SPA

Head to the Algarve, the stunning southern coastline of Portugal, for some fun in the sun this summer. Grab a lounger and trek to the Marinha and Benagil beaches, which are only accessible by boat and famous for incredible caves and rock formations; Costa Vicentina Nature Reserve in the western Algarve for surfing; or, for those seeking privacy, to Deserta, Farol, Armona or Fuzeta on Ria Formosa. Those who book a stay at the five-star VILA VITA Parc need not look far in search of the best beach, since this haute hotel has direct beach access to a secluded champagne-colored stretch of sand known locally as Tremoços Beach, as well as complimentary transportation to the nearby Arte Náutica Beach Club in Armação de Pêra for a day of water sports such as sailing, waterskiing or windsurfing.

Photo Credit: Vila Vita Parc

The biggest conundrum guests will have here is to even leave the 54-acre resort itself, which is highlighted by lush gardens, olive groves and whitewashed villas. Keep the overall feeling of serenity going at the new Vila Vita Spa by Sisley, which, in addition to its existing Gharieni treatment beds and a spacious fitness studio that offers aerial yoga, chakra meditation and HYPOXI Studio―an innovative body-contouring method exclusive to Portugal, three new spa suites launched this spring for a seamless spa-to-suite experience.
R. Anneliese Pohl, 8400-450 Porches, Portugal

MYKONOS, GREECE

KATIKIES MYKONOS

Photo Credit: Katikies Mykonos

As expected, the stunning, sun-kissed Greek island of Mykonos is home to some of the best beaches in the world. There are few who haven’t heard of the nonstop parties that are Paradise and Super Paradise beaches, though only those in the know will have heard of the glam Psarou Beach, Lia Beach, a snorkeler’s paradise, and Agios Ioannis, a beautiful yet quiet sunny respite. If the latter is your jam, book a stay at the luxe Katikies Mykonos, which officially celebrates its first anniversary this month.

Photo Credit: Katikies Mykonos

This amphitheatrical property embraces the true Cycladic spirit, from its whitewashed walls to its private verandas overlooking the sparkling Aegean Sea. Here, guests will discover two infinity pools overlooking the water, sunbathing decks, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a fabulous holistic spa. It also happens to be the first hotel on Mykonos to offer 24-hour concierge service from anywhere on the island. In the evening, head to the hotel’s Seltz Champagne Bar & Restaurant for a romantic, candlelit dinner under the stars, with views of nearby Delos—the mythological birthplace of Apollo—visible beyond.
Agios Ioannis, Mikonos 846 00, Greece

CRETE, GREECE

GRECOTEL LUX ME WHITE PALACE

Photo Credit: LUX ME WHITE PALACE

On the Greek island of Crete, there’s a little something for everyone, from the Caribbean-like waters of Elafonissi and Balos beaches in Chania to one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen, Preveli beach in Rethymno, as well as the more party-friendly beach of Rodakino. Here, near Rethymno, the third-largest town on Crete, with its intriguing mixture of Old-World charm and lively modern Cretan life, you’ll find the Grecotel LUX ME White Palace.

Photo Credit: LUX HOTEL WHITE PALACE

This hotel, like most on the Greek islands, is designed in the white and blue of the country’s flag, and it offers a spacious, luxurious stay that embodies the best of island life. We recommend booking one of the swim-up water bungalows for easy poolside access (and a remarkable view of the sea) and indulging in the plethora of activities offered on site, which include aerial yoga, folklore dance shows and culinary master classes that explore how to prepare traditional Greek and Cretan cuisine.
Pigianos Kampos 741 00, Greece

MALLORCA, SPAIN

IBEROSTAR GRAND PORTALS NOUS

Photo Credit: European Best Beach Hotels 2019

There are 262 beaches on Mallorca, Spain’s most idyllic Balearic island, which means there’s something for literally everyone. We prefer the chic Portals Nous area for its luxe overall vibe as much as its beaches. Of the latter, head to L’Oratori—known by locals as “Portals Nous beach”—a mix of white and golden sand anchored by views of the yachts and sailboats docked beyond and Cala Oli, which is a quiet respite only accessible by boat. While on this caliente Spanish isla, stay at the Iberostar Grand Portals Nous, a relatively new adults-only property located just outside Puerto Portals, one of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious marinas, which offers direct access to the beach. As designed by famous Dutch architect Marcel Wanders, the hotel has been created around five themes: Naughty, Stargazer, Games, Heritage and Spa.

We prefer sleeping underneath the Swarovski-starred ceiling of the Stargazer Suite, which features a CPC 800 catadioptric telescope and a laser to point out the stars in the sky. Everything is tailored and customized for optimal relaxation at Iberostar Portals Nous: butler service endorsed by the prestigious British Butlers Guild, including a “menu” of special services such as a pillow menu and choice of room aromas, special baths, iPad loans and a personalized minibar. Expert musicologists have even created a soundtrack tailored to each space and moment for optimal enjoyment. Other fabulous offerings include the keys to a BMW hybrid, which is available for guests’ use; a Dom Pérignon-themed champagne bar; a wellness bar; and a spa highlighted by naturopathic treatments such as the expertise of Dr. Raaul Cohen, a leading colonic hydrotherapist. “Wow” doesn’t seem to cut it.
Carrer Falconer, 19, 07181 Portals Nous, Illes Balears, Spain

COSTA SMERALDA, SARDINIA

CALA DI VOLPE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL

Photo Credit: The Luxury Collection

Sardinian beaches consistently top the best beaches in the world lists, and ours is no different. Though there are a plethora of stunners on this Italian island in the Mediterranean, we’ve chosen to narrow down your choices to the glittering hot spot that is Costa Smeralda—the Emerald Coast—dubbed as such for its sparkling emerald water and beautiful white sand beaches. Head to Liscia Ruja beach for views of the Soffi and Mortorio islands; Prince beach, dubbed as such because it’s a favorite of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV; and Romazzino beach, a great choice if you want to keep your beach chic intact as it’s sheltered from the wind.

Photo Credit: The Luxury Collection

There are private beaches, of course, and if guests truly want to get away from it all, they’ll book a stay at the elegant Cala di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel, for full seclusion. The hotel, which overlooks one of the most beautiful bays of Costa Smeralda, was initially built as an ancient fishing village, and its old-fashioned charm remains intact today (with modern updates, of course). It also features an Olympic-size saltwater pool—one of the largest in the Mediterranean—three tennis courts and one of the most beautiful penthouse suites we’ve encountered, complete with a solarium, rooftop terrace, private wine cellar, private swimming pool and oodles of Sardinian marble. Even better, as of this summer, a stunning Shiseido Spa and Nobu Matsuhisa‘s eponymous eatery, Matsuhisa, are joining the luxe on-site offerings (of which already includes a Prada boutique). There’s no better place to start and finish your day in paradise… with a bit of Flavio Briatore‘s Billionaire Club and Al Pescatore in between!
Costa Smeralda, 07020 Porto Cervo OT, Italy

TENERIFE, SPAIN

GRAN MELIÁ PALACIO DE ISORA

Photo Credit: Gran Melia

On Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, you’ll find some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. Be careful where you walk though, lest you stumble on to one of the isle’s infamous nude beaches! Our picks are Las Teresitas, which imports its sand from the nearby Sahara Desert (Africa is a stone’s throw away), the black sand beaches of El Bollullo and the golden sands of Playa de Abama. Stay at Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora, which is actually located on the beachfront between the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Teide, with epic views of both at your disposal.

Photo Credit: Gran Melia

The resort itself has been a favorite among Spanish royalty and Hollywood movie stars, inasmuch for its most impressive asset—one of Europe’s largest infinity pools—as for its opulent accoutrements and beautiful scenery. Another highlight of the hotel is that it offers adults-only private villas. These 1,291-square-foot, sea-facing stays include gardens with private pools, butler service, a personalized minibar, in-villa breakfast and, most of all, peace and quiet. Last but not least, make sure to stop by the Spa by Clarins, which offers fabulous customized facials, as well as a sauna, herbal steam room with chromotherapy, thermal shock showers, a bithermal foot bath, hydrotherapy pools and an eco-spa with five outdoor treatments booths and a Zen meditation area.
Avenida Los Océanos, s/n, 38686 Alcalá, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain