With its stunning natural surroundings and exceptional views, Château Saint-Martin & Spa is an idyllic retreat for relaxation. This Oetker Hotels luxury resort is also the perfect venue for celebrations and other private events. Located in the heart of the French Riviera, this unique property blends heritage, nature, and a contemporary lifestyle.
Once a Roman fortress, then a stronghold of the Knights Templar, and later transformed into an exceptional luxury hotel, the estate still retains a unique atmosphere today.
For the 2026 season, Château Saint-Martin & Spa is opening a new chapter marked by two major highlights: the arrival of Executive Chef Romain Antoine, the estate’s new culinary signature, and the recognition of Spa Saint-Martin by La Prairie, named “Best Luxury Destination Spa in Europe” at the World Luxury Spa Awards every year since 2018.
In this idyllic setting suspended between sky and sea, every experience now celebrates the excellence of the Mediterranean art of living with even greater intensity.
Overlooking the hills of Vence with a spectacular view of the Mediterranean, Château Saint-Martin & Spa kicks off a new season marked by absolute refinement. A true institution in the hospitality industry on the French Riviera and an iconic property of Oetker Hotels, the hotel has for several decades cultivated a discreet elegance that appeals to an international clientele seeking exclusive, intimate, and deeply moving experiences. But before becoming one of the most prestigious addresses on the Riviera, the Château Saint-Martin & Spa is, above all, a place steeped in history. A fortified structure from the Roman era, strategically located on the hills above Vence, the estate welcomed the Bishop of Tours as early as 350, and it still bears his name today.
A few centuries later, the estate was bequeathed to the Crusaders by the Count of Provence before becoming, in 1150, a fief of the Knights Templar. This spiritual and historical legacy remains deeply rooted in the identity of the place, particularly through the Saint-Martin Chapel, which today hosts baptisms and intimate celebrations in the heart of the estate.The current building was constructed on the foundations of the former Templar Commandery, which continues to fuel legends surrounding the famous Templar Treasure. The historic ruins visible in the estate’s gardens still bear witness to this ancient legacy and lend the château a unique, almost mystical atmosphere. In 1935, Parisian industrialist Fernand Genève acquired the property and converted it into a hotel in 1954. The six villas overlooking the estate were then built in the 1960s, helping to shape the property’s exclusive identity. Finally, in 1994, the Oetker family became the owners of Château Saint-Martin & Spa, firmly establishing the property among Europe’s leading luxury hotels.
Now honored with the prestigious Palace designation, Château Saint-Martin & Spa continues to embody the unique vision of luxury cherished by Oetker Hotels: a luxury rooted in emotion, exceptional service, and the authenticity of the setting. For the 2026 season, the hotel is unveiling a new chapter centered on two major highlights: the arrival of Executive Chef Romain Antoine and the recognition of the Spa Saint-Martin by La Prairie, recently named “Best Luxury Destination Spa in Europe” at the World Luxury Spa Awards. In this idyllic setting nestled between the sea and nature, fine dining, wellness, and the Mediterranean way of life now come together with even greater intensity.
Protecting the environment and historical heritage is also a fundamental commitment for Château Saint-Martin & Spa, located in the heart of an exceptional 14-hectare site. Designated an LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) Refuge, the hotel is a sanctuary of biodiversity where birds, insects, Mediterranean plant species, and majestic trees coexist in perfect harmony.
Nestled in the heart of the estate’s Mediterranean gardens, the Spa Saint-Martin by La Prairie has established itself as one of Europe’s most prestigious wellness experiences.
Awarded the title of “Best Luxury Destination Spa in Europe” at the World Luxury Spa Awards, the Château’s spa reaffirms its status as a must-visit wellness destination on the Riviera. The treatment rooms, which open onto the natural surroundings, the Mediterranean scents, the tranquility of the gardens, and the light of the Côte d’Azur create a rare, almost contemplative atmosphere.
The treatments embody this pursuit of absolute excellence: high-performance anti-aging treatments, customized massages, energizing rituals, and outdoor sensory experiences come together to create a deeply immersive experience. A hammam, sauna, heated outdoor pool, yoga, fitness facilities, and treatment cabins nestled within these hectares round out this serene retreat, offering guests a chance to fully reconnect with themselves in an exceptional setting.
This new season also marks the arrival of Romain Antoine as Executive Chef at Château Saint-Martin & Spa. This strategic appointment further strengthens the property’s culinary identity.
A native of the region, the chef has built a remarkable career at top Michelin-starred restaurants. Trained at the École Paul Augier, he cut his teeth working under Michelin-starred chef Bruno Oger at La Villa Archange in Cannes before joining Paloma in Mougins, where he helped the restaurant earn two Michelin stars. More recently, he headed the kitchen at L’Apogée Courchevel before moving to the hills above Vence to write a new chapter in the culinary history of Château Saint-Martin & Spa.
At just 35 years old, Romain Antoine has developed a culinary style deeply rooted in emotion, memories, and respect for the ingredients. The chef places local artisans and producers at the heart of his approach to showcase the Mediterranean terroir. Each dish thus becomes an expression of the region, enhanced by an elegant and precise aesthetic.
"My cooking is guided by my memories," he says.
This philosophy resonates particularly well at Château Saint-Martin & Spa, where the culinary experience becomes a natural extension of the setting: sunny, refined, and deeply Mediterranean.
Under his leadership, the restaurants Le Saint-Martin and L’Oliveraie now embody two complementary visions of Côte d’Azur cuisine: one is gourmet and spectacular, while the other is more rustic and welcoming, set amid century-old olive trees.
As one of the season’s must-attend events, Les Estivales perfectly embodies the lifestyle spirit of Château Saint-Martin & Spa.
Held in the estate’s gardens, these gourmet evenings celebrate the Provençal art of living in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere. Under the olive trees, guests enjoy a Mediterranean buffet featuring ingredients from the South of France, creating a unique sensory experience. More than just a dinner, Les Estivales embody this desire to create deeply emotional moments where fine dining, nature, and conviviality come together in an exceptional setting overlooking the Riviera.
Nestled between the sea and the Provençal hinterland, the hills of Vence, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and Tourrettes-sur-Loup offer a rare glimpse of the French Riviera today: more intimate, more residential, and deeply connected to nature. Located right next to Château Saint-Martin & Spa, these establishments attract French and international guests seeking an authentic lifestyle, just a few minutes from Nice and its international airport.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the coast, yet perfectly connected to the major centers of the French Riviera, these areas offer a highly sought-after balance. Investing in this part of the Riviera also represents a genuine asset in terms of wealth preservation. The international reputation of Château Saint-Martin & Spa, an iconic property of Oetker Hotels, plays a major role in the area’s appeal.
This region is as appealing for its unspoiled landscapes as it is for its Mediterranean lifestyle: fine dining, wellness, golf courses, art galleries, historic villages, and quick access to the coast all combine to create a truly exceptional setting.
Just a few minutes away from this exceptional getaway, the Magrey & Sons group also carries on its vision of the Mediterranean lifestyle through its agency located in Valbonne. A leading name in luxury real estate in France and internationally for over fifty years, the group serves a discerning clientele seeking unique properties on the French Riviera: private estates in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, contemporary villas in Opio, Provençal bastides in Vence, and exceptional properties nestled in the Riviera’s most exclusive areas, such as Biot, Mougins, and Cannes.
