The Riviera benefits from a charming hotel like Le Mas de Pierre, just outside terrifyingly popular St-Paul-de-Vence. Views of the distant countryside are visible from the pool. The 50 rooms, divided between seven newly built stone mas (traditional farmhouses), have Provençal furniture and color schemes of cantaloupe, canary yellow, and lavender, with flat-screen TVs and marble baths piled with fluffy towels. The real luxury, however, is the peace and quiet—the only sound you'll hear on a summer night is the crickets—and the fact that every room has a terrace or balcony. The one missed beat is a pricey restaurant with fancy food, when what you'd really rather have in this setting are fresh salads, pasta, and Provençale classics. The fitness area includes a hammam.
When to go: September and October, the loveliest months on the Riviera.
Which room to book: A Privilege room with a garden terrace—and easy pool access (doubles, $275–$368).
Amenities:
24-hour Room Service,
Bar/lounge,
Gym,
Pool