Minimalist Perfection: Hotel Sezz Saint-Tropez

Minimalist Perfection, Hotel Sezz Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez has seen it all. At the heart of the French Riviera, the beautiful town has come to be known for the row of private yachts lining the quay and star spotting during the summer. It is here, in Saint-Tropez, that we encounter Shahe Kalaidjian and French Designer Christophe Pillet’s beautiful design collaboration – Hotel Sezz.

From the ruins of a neglected 3-star hotel, Kalaidjian and Pillet have developed an elegant structure, all in accordance with international ecological building practice. Naturally fortressed by a lush private garden, the hotel is built around a central swimming pool, surrounded by furniture designed by Pillet.

It is clear the designers have taken inspiration from the traditional French Provincial style of the area, and reinterpreted it in a contemporary, elegant and polished way.

The main entrance area leads into the Dom Perignon bar and restaurant – constructed from sandstone in pale grey, embossed cement and panels of aged, stained wood. The space is adorned with oversized gloss lacquered vases, hidden light fixtures and Pillet’s trademark futuristic seating.

Pillet, who trained under Philippe Starck, maintains material consistency throughout the hotel. Each of the 37 guestrooms, suites and villas are unique expressions of the hotels overarching aesthetic theme, sprinkled with surprises. The extravagant mustards of the carpets and linens and the reds of the light fixtures highlight the subdued palette of hard surfaces and wall coverings.

“Entering the Sezz is not like going into someone’s home; it is going into someone’s world”

- Christophe Pillet