We stayed at Airelles Pan Deï Palais in early October with our two boys, and it was one of the most memorable hotel experiences we have had. What makes this place special is its history, character, and remarkably personal service. The story behind the palace was a large part of its appeal for us: General Jean-François Allard, who served under Napoleon and later Maharaja Ranjit Singh in India, built it for his Indian wife, Princess Bannu Pan Deï. He subsequently returned to India, where he died, while she remained in Saint-Tropez with their children. Knowing that story gives the building a poignancy that you rarely find in a hotel. The Indian paintings, family portraits, and intimate atmosphere reinforce that connection. This is a hotel with soul. We stayed in the Princess Suite, which worked beautifully for our family. It had a king bed in the main living space, a dining area, and a separate children’s bedroom with its own toilet. Everything was immaculately clean. The complimentary minibar was replenished daily, and there was even a bottle of 2019 Veuve Clicquot champagne. These touches felt wonderfully generous. The service throughout the hotel was exceptional. Whenever we called for something, it seemed to arrive within a minute or two. On arrival, our room was not yet ready and we needed somewhere to change the children. The staff immediately arranged a space in the spa, and Max, the manager, personally brought our suitcases down. That willingness to step in and make things easy for us continued throughout our stay. Very few hotels we have visited offer this level of care. We also loved the complimentary cognac, whisky, and rum in the lobby, alongside candies that became an essential stop for our boys every time we passed through. The children had their treats, and I had my cognac—everyone was happy. The one area that fell short was the food, along with the service at dinner. Given how thoughtfully the hotel celebrates its Indian connection, we had hoped the cooking would reflect the same care. Our breakfast waiter was excellent, and having the same person look after us both mornings added to the personal feel. The food itself, however, was disappointing. The Indian-style omelette tasted like a regular vegetable omelette with curry powder added, rather than a proper masala omelette. Indian cooking has far more depth than adding a curry flavour to an otherwise familiar dish. We also ate by the pool for my wife’s birthday dinner. It is a lovely setting, but the experience did not match the service elsewhere in the hotel. Her seat cushion was wet, and instead of moving us to another table, the staff placed a dry towel over it. For a birthday dinner, particularly in a hotel otherwise so attentive, that was disappointing. The chicken curry and the boys’ noodles were also underwhelming. The naan served with the curry did not seem freshly made and reminded us of the packaged naan available in grocery stores. We may be mistaken, but we eat In
