Hotel Byblos

The cottages are, though, façade only. Behind all is unshowily sumptuous, explored by haphazard corridors, studded with art, and quietly flattering of one's sensibilities. Here's an elegant village within the village, casually subscribing to the highest standards.

Partly because of its "town within a town" design and partly because of those one-of-a-kind, pan-Mediterranean design touches, The Byblos conveys an atmosphere like no other resort hotel - assured without being stuffy, louche without being laid-back.

Byblos, which turns 50 this year, is one of those places. Everyone knows it. Everyone's been. Everyone's partied here, at the almost mythical Caves du Roy. Or posed around the blissful pool, overlooked by those pink-grapefruit and sunflower-yellow houses that hold the suites.

This hamlet of pastel-hued, Provençal-style houses is opulence personified... Byblos is favored by visiting celebrities, rock stars, aristocrats, and the über-rich.

Forget five stars: this toy Mediterranean village, celebrating 50 years in 2017 and grouped around courtyards landscaped with palms, olive trees, and lavender has obtained "Palace" classification.