We have spent a very relaxing week in Chateau de Valmer, and felt that we were somewhere totally away from it all. Yet we were only a fifteen minute drive from the busy beaches of Ramatuele and twenty minutes away from from Saint Tropez. The hotel has a lovely beach which you can access by a ten minute walk through the vineyards. The spa at the hotel is amazing, and the restaurant at the beach is very lively. This is not our first time in the Cote d'Azure, but I have to admit that it is the first time we felt that we were in a place that is totally relaxing. If you like a peaceful holiday, which is still close to the hustle and bustle, this hotel will not let you down.

Location of the Chateau is good but the management is terrible. Very unfriendly and pompous. The head of the restaurant is very unwelcoming and the reception makes you feel that you you should not expect much service. A very lazy attitude of most of the staff at reception and the management clearly tells you that basic good welcoming and ongoing service is not to be expected. Securiy is terrible as there have been countless burglaries on site and break inside the room.he management does not tackle appropriately the fact that onsite break-in have happened in this hotel and is a major recurring issue. Very poor quality to price ratio.

We did not stay at the hotel, but eat in their wonderful restaurant. The food is local, much of it from the hotel's own garden and the staff are friendly and professional. The Chateau even has it's own small vinyard and, most years, the rosé is excellent; when not first class, it is excluded from the wine list.

Our stay at Le Chateau de Valmer for three nights in August 2010 was a part of our month long trip which we were very much looking forward to. Don't get me wrong, it was nice having access to the second hotel situated on the beach, and the restaurant at the second hotel situated next to the water was so good we ate there three nights in a row.

However, I would not recommend this hotel for the following reasons:
- we paid $460 euros per night for a standard double room with a small balcony overlooking the pool and gardens at the rear of the property. The room was tidy but small, but the air conditioning did not work properly, there was no water provided in the room (other than in the overpriced mini-bar), the mini-bar did not work, and the double bed comprised two single beds placed side by side.
- we complained to reception twice during our stay that the mini-bar was not working, i.e. not keeping drinks cold, but despite assurances something would be done, nothing was done.
- the area around the pool was dirty with rubbish and cigarette butts on the floor as well as used glasses.
- this hotel will in no uncertain terms sting you for every centime it can possibly squeeze out of you during your stay. Breakfast was an additional 27 Euros per person, with cereal costing an extra 6 Euros, eggs costing an extra 6 Euros, etc., etc. As soon as we arrived we went to the bar for drinks. Service was slow and they charged us 16 Euros for a single glass of champagne. Due to being away for a month, we needed to get some laundry done, and it's fair to say I could have re-bought the clothes for less than the cost of the laundry.

The bottom line is we paid a lot of money for this stay and I just feel we didn't get value for what we paid, but if you don't mind leaving your wallet open during your stay and are willing to accept staying in a place which is nice but not on par with the price, maybe this is the place for you. I would not stay here again.