Nova Lodges

Nova Lodges is a five-star beachfront hotel set within the Prairies de la Mer estate on the coastal road outside Port Grimaud, a car-dependent stretch of the Var coastline roughly an hour's drive east of Cannes. Despite the Cannes city label, the property sits firmly in Gulf of Saint-Tropez territory, which shapes both its character and its clientele: this is a place built around water, open air, and the particular rhythm of the French Riviera summer rather than the convention circuit or the Croisette.

The hotel's position directly on the beach is its defining feature, and the layout reflects that. Two pools and a private beach give families and couples genuine options for how to spend a day without leaving the grounds, while the spa and fitness center provide a reason to stay in even when the mistral picks up. Two restaurants on site mean guests are not forced into the car every evening, which matters more than it might sound given the limited walkability of the surrounding area.

Check-in begins at 16:00, which suits guests arriving from Saint-Tropez or the ferry at Sainte-Maxime after a full afternoon on the water — there is time to settle before dinner. Checkout at 11:00 still leaves a morning swim possible. Free on-site parking is a practical necessity here rather than a perk: the coastal road has little else nearby, and most guests arrive by car. With a rating of 8.6 across more than 1,300 reviews, the property has a consistent track record with families and couples looking for a self-contained base on this stretch of the Côte d'Azur.