Hotel Ile de la Lagune

Ile de la Lagune is a classy small beach hotel that offers the best of both worlds, merging boutique flair with the kind of upscale facilities and attentive service you'd expect from a much bigger luxury resort. The hotel lives up to its name: it's on its own island in glossy St Cyprien's lagoon, making it feel even more exclusive. As you roll across the short bridge that links the hotel to the mainland, the unassuming Roussillon-pink Mediterranean exterior gives little hint of what lies within. Inside, a cavernous, cool lobby-lounge and reception area is dotted with oddball works of art. There's a smart cocktail bar to one side, and beyond are the hotel's restaurants, ground-level pool and a small private beach. At rooftop level, there's a heated outdoor seawater pool, next to a sybaritic Carita spa. Rooms are marine-themed modern retro (think 1950s cruise-liner glamour, polished wood and brushed metal) with a white and grey setting brightened by dashes of red and yellow. Perks include iPad and iPhone docks and Nespresso machines. There are full-size tubs and walk-in showers in bathrooms, where treats include Carita toiletries and thick fluffy bathrobes. All rooms have a small terrace with views of the lagoon. Back downstairs, L'Almandin offers fine dining that emphasises regional seafood, while Aquarama offers an al fresco bistro menu.