Le Mas de Chastelas: A Serene Retreat Near Saint-Tropez

As soon as you sweep pass the vineyard and through the elegant gates that lead to the charmingly beautiful Mas de Chastelas, you realize that you are a world away (thankfully) from the glitzy harbor town of Saint-Tropez, which is  just a few minutes drive along the road.

Family-Friendly Review of Le Mas de Chastelas

Service

Le Mas de Chastelas is one of those hotels that goes out of its way to please you, but it manages to do this in such a way that you hardly notice it, which is what makes it all the more special. A member of staff is at the hotel entrance every time you pass through it to offer assistance or advice.

The staff are never too busy to attend to your needs and they are incredibly knowledgable about the local area. They will tell you which beach club is best for families, which restaurants will enjoy feeding your children and arrange babysitters when you want to get a feel for the carefree lifestyle on which Saint-Tropez thrives.

Life on the Estate

Despite there being a shuttle service on tap to take you to the beaches and Saint-Tropez, we found it hard to draw ourselves away from the Mas de Chastelas estate.

The day kicks off with a leisurely multi-course breakfast on the terrace. There are fresh juices from about half a dozen different fruits, the raspberry is particularly good; baskets of warm croissants and delicious pastries; fruit salads, cheeses, yoghurts, smoked salmon. And that’s just the cold selection. There is everything you would expect on the cooked breakfast menu too.

After walking around the grounds to work off breakfast you have to laze by that glittering turquoise pool, dipping in and out all day. Our kids buddied up with a Swiss child and spent hours dreaming up wonderful games to play in and around the pool area.

A Place for Quality Family Time

There is no formal entertainment on offer for children, however; if you like to drop your kids in at the kids’ club for a few hours a day this is not the place for you. Le Mas de Chastelas is a place to come to for spending really quality family time together — piggy in the middle in the pool, a game of tennis, trying out the board games on offer. You grab your ‘me’ time when the babies nap or play by your feet and whilst the older ones make friends in the pool.

Excursions to Saint-Tropez

You can’t come all the way to Saint-Tropez without spending a day at Pampelonne beach, where dozens of upmarket beach clubs act as catwalks for the very latest cruise wear. Les Jumeaux is the one most tailored to families. And a night in Saint-Tropez itself is good fun too, the kids will enjoy admiring the yachts in the harbor, then head to a brasserie in the old town that the hotel has recommended.

Restaurants don’t get buzzy until beyond 9pm in the town, so eating in the hotel is a better option with little ones. And once you’ve eaten dinner at the Mas, you won’t want to look elsewhere anyway. The menu is innovative and varied and every dish is a delight to the eyes and the  tastebuds. The children’s menu is well thought out too. My daughter is still dreaming about the chocolate mousse!

Le Mas de Chastelas is in the CB! Hotel Collection

Le Mas de Chastelas is in the CB! Hotel Collection, which means we can help you book your holiday here. Our accommodation booking service is free. Use the Check Availability button on the Le Mas de Chastelas family-friendly review and a Family Vacation Consultant will follow up with you.

We can also help craft a comprehensive itinerary to France including activities, guides, and logistics advice. Request assistance on our Connect with a Travel Advisor page.

Relevant Links:

Le Mas de Chastelas review

Best family hotels and things to do with kids

A kid-friendly tour of Saint-Tropez

Things to do in the Côte d’Azur with kids

Where to go on a family vacation in France? Check out Bordeaux and Biarritz

Dordogne with kids holiday highlights

Editor’s Note: Anna Tobin received a media package for her stay at Le Mas de Chastelas. As always, our opinions are our own on Ciao Bambino. Photos by Anna Tobin.