Built in the 19th century, Château de la Messardière is a palace hotel located on a hilltop on the outskirts of Saint-Tropez in the Var region, spanning both Provence and the French Riviera. The property has undergone extensive renovation over the last three years and is due to open for the summer season on June 25, 2020 (delayed from April 28 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Further down the line, it will join the Airelles brand in January 2021.
Château de la Messardière will become the fifth property in the Airelles luxury collection, which already includes Les Airelles, Courchevel; Mademoiselle, Val d’Isère; La Bastide, Gordes and the forthcoming Le Grand Contrôle, Château de Versailles (opening January 2021).
Acquired by Airelles’ parent company, LOV Hotel Collection, in May 2019, Château de la Messardière is Saint-Tropez’s largest hotel, occupying 25 acres. French architect and interior designer Christophe Tollemer is overseeing the redesign and is also responsible for the interiors at the upcoming Le Grand Contrôle, Château de Versailles, as well as the other properties in the Collection.
As part of the renovation, the hotel’s room count will decrease by 33 (from January 2021; the property will have 108 rooms this summer) to create 75 new rooms and suites, each with its own private terrace, including three signature suites in the turrets of the building. There is also the possibility of combining between eight and 15 rooms in a separate building at the front of the property to create a private villa-style option with its own private garden and ocean views.
All of the public areas will also be completely refurbished, including the outdoor swimming pool and terrace, events spaces and the five food and drink outlets overseen by Giovanni Amato and Elena Mosetti, also responsible for the gourmet offerings at sister property Les Airelles.
The renovations will also see the creation of a nearly 11,000-square-foot Valmont spa, complete with seven treatment rooms, a cryotherapy chamber, hammam, sauna, indoor swimming pool and fitness center.
A Kid’s Kingdom will have its very own Hansel and Gretel-style play cottage. Children will also be able to enjoy the new, brand-wide Le Petit Voyageur passport program, which will be given to every child aged between four and 12 years upon check-in. The colorful passport will set out details of their fact-finding mission to uncover the hotel’s secrets and treasures, making notes and collecting stamps along the way.
The newly appointed general manager, François Arrighi will lead the new-look Château de la Messardière. Arrighi has 25 years of hotel experience and is familiar with the Airelles brand, having previously held the position of general manager at the flagship Les Airelles in Courchevel from 2008 to 2014. Arrighi joins Chateau de la Messardière from the Four Seasons Hotel Megève; prior to this, he was hotel manager at Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris.
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