Lily of The Valley
Two Michelin Keys
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Hotel Details
Location
Lily of The Valley · La Croix-Valmer, France
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Expert Review: Lily of The Valley
A Comprehensive Review of Lily of The Valley, La Croix-Valmer (Michelin Key Two-Keys)
Lily of The Valley, a distinguished Michelin Two-Keys property nestled in La Croix-Valmer, France, offers a luxurious wellness retreat with breathtaking Mediterranean views. Designed by the acclaimed Philippe Starck, the hotel consistently garners praise for its serene ambiance, exceptional service, and commitment to well-being.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Lily of The Valley is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "wonderful" and "top-notch". It maintains high scores across various platforms, reflecting a largely fantastic experience for most visitors. While undoubtedly a splurge, many guests consider it "absolutely worth a stay" for a luxurious and peaceful escape.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud several aspects of Lily of The Valley. The design by Philippe Starck, with its blend of neoclassical and modern styles, natural earth colors, and seamless integration with the surrounding nature, is a significant draw. The hotel's strong wellness focus is another major highlight, featuring a lavish 2,000 sqm spa, two swimming pools (including a heated 25-meter lap pool), a fitness center, and dedicated weight-loss and detox programs led by experts.
The location on a hill overlooking the sea provides stunning panoramic views and a tranquil atmosphere. Its proximity to the five-kilometer Gigaro Beach, accessible via a short walk or complimentary shuttle, is also highly appreciated, offering a private beach area with sun loungers. The service is frequently described as exceptional, with staff going "above and beyond" to ensure an incredible stay.
3. Room Quality
The accommodations at Lily of The Valley are elegant and comfortable, comprising 38 rooms, 6 suites, 7 pool suites, and 2 villas. Rooms feature a sophisticated design with natural earth tones, wickerwork lampshades, and carpets, creating a countryside feel. Each room includes a super comfortable bed, ample closet space, a mini-bar stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks, a flat-screen TV, a cappuccino machine, and herbal teas. A highlight for many are the lavish private balconies or terraces, often with stylish umbrellas and offering captivating pool or ocean views. The white and black marble bathrooms with wooden features are also particularly noted for their gorgeous design, typically including a bathtub and walk-in shower. Guests also receive an iPad to book spa treatments and view hotel offerings. While generally praised, some guests have noted that the rooms can be "small but lovely." One review mentioned a room having "musky" curtains and some scratched wood paneling, suggesting minor upkeep issues.
4. Dining Experience
Lily of The Valley boasts a diverse and high-quality dining experience across its several restaurants: Vista, Club House, Brigantine, and Pépé.
- Vista, the main restaurant, offers Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on healthy options, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, all while providing sea-facing views. It serves a bountiful breakfast buffet from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
- Club House provides a warm and intimate atmosphere with a healthy, decadent menu available all day, including an "athlete's breakfast" and vitamin-rich lunches.
- At the Beach Club, guests can enjoy two chic dining options, Brigantine and Pépé, both serving Italian, Mediterranean, and local cuisines right at the water's edge. Brigantine offers authentic Italian dishes, while Pépé provides a charming Italian village square ambiance.
Chef Vincent Maillard leads the culinary team, focusing on authentic Provence menus with rich local produce. 24/7 room service is also available, offering a colorful menu. However, one guest noted that the "chef and food not as good as it used to be due to a change in approach."
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at Lily of The Valley receive consistent accolades. Guests frequently describe the team as "very good," "friendly," "kind," "welcoming," "attentive," and "exceptional." The hotel prides itself on making guests feel at home, with Hotel Manager Stéphane Personeni and his team dedicated to creating unique and personalized experiences. The concierges, recognized with the prestigious French "Les Clefs d'Or" award, are praised for their commitment to excellence and efficiency, assisting with everything from restaurant reservations to private guides. 24/7 room service further exemplifies their dedication to guest satisfaction.
6. Location & Accessibility
Lily of The Valley is situated on Colline Saint-Michel in Quartier de Gigaro, La Croix-Valmer, offering a secluded and tranquil setting amidst unspoiled nature, surrounded by pine trees, wildflowers, and vineyards. It provides panoramic views over the Mediterranean. The hotel is a short walk (approximately 14 minutes) or a free shuttle ride away from the beautiful Gigaro Beach, which offers a private section for guests.
While providing a peaceful escape, the hotel is somewhat "out in the country," meaning guests might rely on hotel transport for meals or activities outside the property. It is about a 25 to 30-minute drive from the bustling center of Saint-Tropez. The hotel offers a convenient car service for transfers and exploring the region, as well as a shuttle service to La Croix-Valmer city center. Toulon - Hyères Airport (TLN) is approximately 52 km (32 miles) away, and Nice-Côte d'Azur International Airport (NCE) is 92 km (57 miles) away.
7. Value & Pricing
Lily of The Valley is positioned as a luxury destination, and its pricing reflects this. Room rates typically range from €650 to €3600. Guests generally agree that while it is a "splurge," it is "worth it" for those seeking a luxurious and peaceful getaway. On one review platform, the "value for money" was rated 8.6 out of 10, suggesting that most guests feel the experience justifies the cost.
8. Common Complaints
While largely positive, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:
- Room Size: Some guests found the rooms to be "small" despite being "lovely."
- Maintenance & Upkeep: One reviewer mentioned "musky" room curtains and scratched wood paneling in the halls, suggesting minor wear and tear that might not align with the highest luxury standards.
- Dining Consistency: A guest noted a change in the chef and stated the food was "not as good as it used to be." Another experienced slow service and errors during breakfast.
- Room Issues: One guest reported "some real problems" with their room, even though they found it lovely overall.
- Employee Feedback: An employee review from a therapist mentioned an "unsustainable work pace," which, while not directly a guest complaint, could indirectly impact service quality.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While largely positive, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:
- •Room Issues: One guest reported "some real problems" with their room, even though they found it lovely overall.
- •Employee Feedback: An employee review from a therapist mentioned an "unsustainable work pace," which, while not directly a guest complaint, could indirectly impact service quality.
Google Reviews
802 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Thijs Van Leeuwen
We had dinner with friends at Vista, the restaurant at Lily of the Valley in La Croix-Valmer, last July, and it was a wonderful experience. The setting is elegant with beautiful sea views, the food was outstanding, and the service warm and professional. A perfect spot to enjoy a summer evening near Saint-Tropez.
Alejandra Solana
As a luxurious and high priced property, we expected an extraordinary service and attention. When we arrived around 3 pm to the hotel, we were told our rooms were not ready for check in. Apparently they offered some guest the perk of “late check out” and we, as platinum american express clients who were susceptible to get those perks as well, were totally disturbed by it. We had to wait 2 hours i...
Alyssa Duguay
Beware or be prepared to spend a lot more than listed!!!!!!! I had been looking forward to the spa “Shape Day” experience and while the property itself is beautiful, the experience overall felt more like being taken advantage of rather than being cared for. For guests seeking a relaxing and transparent day, I cannot recommend this as a positive option. If you’re doing the shape day, be prepared t...
Ishita sood
It’s a beautiful spot and property. Staff at the restaurant was great, friendly and attentive But, there is a huge crane parked right by the main pool and restaurant area( from some construction around the area) that is frankly hard to ignore and takes a lot away from the view. Not only that, our room had so much construction noise, not only was it impossible to enjoy the balcony, it was audible i...
Natalie Noam
A luxury 5 star hotel, the service was wonderfull and the food was great. Just keep in mind that the private beach is about 8 beds, and you need someone from the hotel to drive you there and back (they are happy to help and always available).
Response from the owner
Dear Mrs Noam,<br>Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We are delighted that you had a pleasant stay with us.<br>Kind regards,<br>The Lily of the Valley Team
X G
Extremely disappointing stay. Poor service, rude management, and hidden charges. We were wrongly billed for a car transfer we didn’t request, and the manager Julien was arrogant and unapologetic—even after realizing it was the hotel’s mistake. The attitude towards non-French guests was noticeably dismissive. For the price we paid (over €10,000 for 4 nights), this was one of the worst “luxury” hote...
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Two Michelin Keys recognize hotels that provide an excellent stay experience. These properties stand out for their remarkable quality, distinctive character, and superior service that goes above and beyond expectations.
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