AREV, a new hotel in Saint-Tropez, opened in 2024 with a focus on soul and authenticity, designed by Luis Bustamante. It features a 15-metre pool, striped decor, and a spa.
A Personal Touch
Saint-Tropez is known for its glamorous hotels, but AREV stands out for its personal and discreet feel. Designer Luis Bustamante oversaw the two-year project, from architecture to interiors, with a focus on soul over spectacle. "AREV approached my studio wanting to create something that felt deeply connected to the spirit of Saint-Tropez," says Bustamante. "The brief was to create a five-star destination with heart. Something intimate and residential, in the spirit of a sophisticated Riviera home."
Design and Atmosphere
Built on the site of the former Lou Troupelan hotel, AREV is inspired by sailing culture and the classic visual language of the Côte d'Azur. The design features bold stripes, polished joinery, and a red, white, and blue palette. "These colours feel both timelessly French and wonderfully energetic. I wanted guests to feel the romance of the Mediterranean from the moment they arrive," Bustamante explains.
The hotel eschews a traditional lobby for a chic seating area with bookcases and piped sofas. It leads to The Strand restaurant and Q's bar, with navy striped stools and geometric wooden panelling. The terrace hosts scalloped parasols and relaxed seating under olive trees.
Pool and Amenities
The 15-metre heated pool is the largest in Saint-Tropez. It's flanked by striped loungers and a beach club bar. The pool floor reads "A rêve in the sun," a nod to the hotel's name, derived from the French verb rêver (to dream). A second pool caters to families, and the courtyard, Place des Oliviers, features pop-up boutiques and a retro food truck.
Rooms and Spa
The 35 rooms and suites showcase the same red, white, and blue palette, some with caramel accents. Signature stripes are paired with Toile de Jouy fabric, tailored upholstery, and four-poster beds. "Every room shares a common visual language, yet each has its own personality," says Bustamante.
AREV has partnered with Maison ST, a Saint-Tropez perfumery, to create a spa with pale woods and elegant stone. Treatments use local ingredients like sea salt and Tropezian herbs. For the active, there's a padel court, al fresco yoga, a gym, and electric bikes.
Bustamante appreciates the freedom he was given to bypass a standard hotel template. "The most rewarding part has been seeing guests connect emotionally with the spaces," he concludes. "Hospitality is at its best when it creates memories."
Rooms from £505 a night; arevcollection.com
