We’ve been to hundreds of beach clubs – these are the best in the Mediterranean, where you can lounge in luxury for under £100 a day
How do you add five-star polish without blowing your budget? Say hello to the beach club. Most of these coastal outposts of luxury dotted across the Mediterranean charge guests by the day – usually anywhere from £20 to £100.
Check in and relax on luxurious loungers, slip into a plunge pool and dine on elegant dishes – then depart, Cinderella style, before dark.
These alluring all-day clubs have existed for centuries. The elite of Georgia and Victoria were no more immune to the charms of an idyllic private shoreline than we are today. The first modern versions of these all-day clubs did not emerge until the 1950s.
Le Club 55 in St Tropez was little more than a beach hut serving wine and snacks before Brigitte Bardot and the crew of …And God Created Woman made it the hottest ticket in town. Nearly 60 years later, they come in many guises – here’s our pick of Europe’s best…
Smart guy in Cannes
La Plage du Martinez was reinvented last year for the Cannes Film Festival
The Art Deco Hotel Martinez, in the chic La Croisette district of Cannes, gave its beach club, La Plage du Martinez, a makeover for last year’s film festival.
This iconic pontoon is still the place to be for anyone craving unobstructed views of the Mediterranean.
Fun cinematic touches include director’s chairs embroidered with famous names. Seasonal and local produce dominates chef Jean Imbert’s menu.
Beach treat: Pontoon cabanas from £300 pp.
Book it: Daybeds from £44 (hyatt.com).
Croatian cocktails
Sun loungers are neatly laid out on creamy white Hvar stones at Beach Club Hvar
Beach Club Hvar is located on the western tip of Croatia’s sunniest island.
It’s a setting and a half; quartets of sun loungers are neatly laid out on creamy Hvar stones inches from the Adriatic. A restaurant serves steaks, seafood and salads.
Beach treat: Order a negronis for £13 each and eat them in the comfort of your armchair.
Book it: Daybeds from £41 (beachhvar.com).
Boho glamour Ibiza
The atmosphere at Yellow Fish Beach Club is boho-glamour
The Yellow Fish Beach Club opened in June at the trendy W Ibiza hotel in the east coast enclave of Santa Eulalia.
The vibe is boho-glam, with Hispanic bites and grilled delights courtesy of chef Martino Carillo. DJs spin chilled-out tunes until sunset. The 20 double loungers are for hotel guests only, but no one will mind if you stop in for lunch and linger.
Beach treat: An entire menu dedicated to sangria.
Book it: Double rooms from £296 (marriott.com).
Full Monte Carlo
You can enjoy seafood from chef Pascal Garrigues at the adults-only Club La Vigie
Club La Vigie is an adults-only lunch/lounge paradise, far enough away from Monte Carlo’s public beach (Larvotto) to feel like you’re far away.
Enjoy seafood prepared by chef Pascal Garrigues before relaxing on a disc-shaped daybed. Cabanons – more private, bungalow-style rentals – can be rented by the week or weekend.
Beach treat: Six of your best Gillardeau No. 3 oysters, s’il vous plait.
Book it: Lunch from £30, weekend cabins from £592 (montecarlosbm.com).
Mykonos treat
King-size daybeds float above the pools at Zuma on the Greek island
Arrive at Zuma, a five-minute drive from Mykonos Town, and feel like you’re in Japan.
It’s all clean lines and dark wood, with king-size daybeds floating above the pools. A poolside menu offers Asian twists on Greek foodie favourites.
Beach treat: Bring the kids, there is a play area.
Book it: Daybeds from £80 (zumarestaurant.com).
Turkish hotspot
Scorpios Beach House in Bodrum focuses on art and wellness
Scorpios Beach House in Bodrum is located on a sun-drenched peninsula on the southwest coast of Turkey.
The aesthetic is haute design with a focus on art and wellness. There are two restaurants, a swimming pool and 12 private suites for rent.
Beach treat: A menu full of delicious, vegan Turkish snacks.
Book it: Daybeds from £50 (scorpios.com).
Beyoncé in St. Tropez
Le Club 55 in St Tropez is a hit with celebrities such as Beyonce
Founded by Patrice de Colmont, Le Club 55 in St Tropez has been on Pampelonne Beach since the mid-1950s and has attracted almost every star from Bardot to Beyonce. Whether it’s for a lobster lunch or sun loungers on the beach, book in advance.
Beach treat: Buy a Club 55 T-shirt in the boutique.
Book it: Daybeds from £33 (club55.fr).
Italian style
A pop-up Dior boutique and cocktail bar in Capri’s Il Riccio restaurant
Dior has teamed up with timeless Capri restaurant Il Riccio, part of the chic Jumeirah Capri Palace hotel. Expect a pop-up boutique, cocktail bar, Dior motifs galore and great views. A lunch reservation includes access to a sun lounger.
Beach treat: The ever-present sea breeze.
Book it: Lunch reservations on jumeirah.com.
Swish in Spain
Club La Cabane is attached to the Los Monteros Spa and Golf Resort outside Marbella
An old favourite on the Costa del Sol, Club La Cabane is attached to the Los Monteros Spa and Golf Resort outside Marbella. The atmosphere is see and be seen, sangria in hand. Striking blue Dolce & Gabbana prints adorn the sun loungers and parasols.
Beach treat: The Grand Buffet, an extravaganza with 60 dishes.
Book it: Daybeds from £38 (monteros.com).
Sardinian elite
Nikki Beach sails guests – including celebrities and young aristocrats – in by yacht from Cala di Volpe
Nikki Beach is located on the sunny bay of Cala Petra Ruja on the Emerald Coast of Sardinia.
From June to September, this beach club with a private party atmosphere welcomes guests, including celebrities and young aristocrats, by yacht from Cala di Volpe. The food includes Italian and sushi dishes.
Beach treat: A sister pop-up restaurant on the Porto Cervo waterfront is open until late.
Book it: Triple sofa beds from £228 (costa-smeralda.nikkibeach.com).
Corker in Mallorca
Purobeach Palma is open until midnight and has five luxurious Balinese-style beds
Purobeach Palma is located on a sunny peninsula near the capital of Mallorca and offers 180° views over the Balearic Sea.
Open until midnight, the hotel features five luxurious Balinese-style beds, two bars, an international menu and an on-site spa.
Beach treat: The lava stone pool feels like swimming in the sea.
Book it: Daybeds from £67 (purobeach.com).
Greek chic
Loungers, umbrellas and soft seat cushions create a chic desert camp atmosphere at this seaside club
It’s a 30-minute drive from Athens to The C, a beachside club on Voula on the Athenian Riviera. Loungers, umbrellas and large, cushioned seating create a chic desert camp feel.
The restaurant is more urban chic, so when you’re done with the crystal clear waters, bring a change of outfit and eat classic Greek dishes.
Beach treat: Free rosé wine tasting.
Book it: Daybeds from £67 (thec.gr).
Tuscan charm
Isolotto is for guests of the La Roqqa hotel only, but it is worth checking in to gain access
The revamped La Roqqa hotel on Tuscany’s Argentario headland has boutique charm in spades. The beach club, Isolotto, is only open to hotel guests, but it’s worth checking in to gain access. There’s a yoga pavilion, two restaurants and a surrounding hillside terrace.
Beach treat: Borrow a jet ski for the ultimate view of the bay.
Book it: Double rooms from £370 (laroqqa.com).
Hissing in Sicily
Fashion house Missoni styled the beach club at Verdura Resort this summer
At the stylish Verdura Resort on Sicily’s southern coast, fashion house Missoni has styled the beach club this summer. It’s open to hotel guests only, but it’s worth checking in to enjoy. A teal aesthetic suits the Mediterranean, and there are branded beach towels and a boutique shop.
Beach treat: The Missoni cocktail: venturo aperitif with Sicilian Brut.
Book it: Double rooms from £339 (roccofortehotel.com).
Cornish palms
Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes has a waterfront location and chic blue and white parasols
There’s no such thing as a British beach club, right? Well, there’s hope – and daybeds – on the horizon in St Mawes, Cornwall.
Hotel Tresanton has a waterfront location, chic blue and white parasols, Cornish palms and seating on three terraces. With tables for cocktails and sun loungers and views of St Anthony Lighthouse, it is a charming place to spend an afternoon.
Beach treat: You can rent the classic yacht Pinuccia, which belongs to the hotel.
Book it: Sunbeds are free, on a first-come, first-served basis (thepolizzicollection.com).
