What is the story about?
When HBO confirmed that The White Lotus Season 4 would decamp to the French Riviera, the internet did what it always does: started Googling the hotel.
The answer, it turns out, is exactly as extravagant as fans of the show might expect. Say hello to Château de La Messardière, a hilltop palace in Saint-Tropez where nightly rates can soar to $30,000 AUD (INR 18 Lakh)!
About Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez has never been shy about excess. Perched along France’s southern coastline, a few hours from Monaco, it’s long been a summer playground for superyachts, beach clubs, and people who don’t ask for prices. But La Messardière sits slightly apart from the chaos. Set high above the town on 30 acres of gardens and pine forest, the château feels removed enough that Saint-Tropez becomes more of a suggestion than a necessity.That distance is part of the appeal. This is the kind of place where your view, rolling gardens melting into the Mediterranean, can feel more important than whatever party is happening down by the marina.
La Messardiere: From Wedding Gift To Riviera Royalty
La Messardière’s story begins in the 19th century, when it was built as a lavish wedding gift from a wealthy cognac merchant to his daughter. By the early 1900s, it had reinvented itself as a hotel, quickly becoming a favourite of Parisian high society during the Riviera’s golden age of the 1920s. After decades of quieter years and a near-collapse mid-century, a major revival in the late 1980s restored its place among Europe’s grandest stays.Today, the property is part of the Airelles Collection, known for restoring historic estates that feel less like hotels and more like inherited fantasies. Importantly, La Messardière has kept its scale in check: there are just 86 rooms and suites, ensuring that even at full occupancy, it never feels crowded. The grounds are dotted with multiple pools, including a panoramic terrace pool and a dedicated lap pool, so guests aren’t competing for sun loungers.
There’s also private access to Pampelonne Beach, one of the Riviera’s most famous stretches of sand. Transfers are seamless, loungers are reserved, and the whole experience is calibrated to remove friction from your day. It’s the kind of setup where “just a swim” quietly becomes an afternoon.
Accommodation options range from Superior and Deluxe Rooms for couples to sprawling Junior and Prestige Suites, and finally to multi-bedroom residences intended for families or groups settling in for the week. Some come with private terraces or plunge pools; the largest villas offer full privacy and uninterrupted views across the Mediterranean.
Rates start at around $5,000 per night, but climb quickly. At the top end, four-person villas can cost $30,000 per night, often with a minimum stay. At that price point, the expectation is pure luxury.
