Prepare to have your breath catch again and again in St. Tropez.

Penelope Cruz on the St. Tropez beach

This week, we go international, baby! If you happen to be in France – more specifically, the beautiful St. Tropez (which is NOT pronounced Saynt Tro-PEZ, by the way) – you’ll definitely want to take a look at the luxurious Byblos hotel. It’s where you might see anyone from Kate Moss to Beyonce to Keanu Reeves.

St. Tropez boasts one of the Top 10 Party Beaches. Drop-dead-gorgeous scenery, tons of world-famous restaurants and clubs, St. Tropez is definitely one of the places that stars love to hang and be seen. And the Byblos is one of the best luxury hotels in town…precisely why Prince Albert II of Monaco chooses the Byblos to wind down from all that, um, royal stuff he does. Suddenly I’m reminded of the Prince-Albert-in-a-can phone prank. Hmm.

Located just 60 miles from the International Airport at Nice-Cote d’ Azur, or a short 11-mile jaunt from the Saint-Tropez airport, the Byblos hotel has been amongst the top 10 hotels in St. Tropez for 40+ years. A full Mediterranean village all in itself, you’ll find dozens of rooms, each individually decorated with a warm, homey vibe. Olives trees and bouganvillea are smattered about the patios and balconies. Sorry, in France, they say “terrace.” You know, because they’re fancy and stuff in France.

Luxurious, intimate dining at Spoon

There’s a charm and elegance all about the Byblos. You’ll find scrumptious food throughout St. Tropez, but you don’t have to leave the hotel to get it. There are two full restaurants: B., a restaurant that is poolside, and the Spoon Byblos, sort of a Mediterranean variant of Spoon Paris. The spa is incredible…just the VIEW will knock your socks off. See for yourself.

Beautiful view from the Byblos spa

Amenities include free wifi (always the first thing I ask about, because I’m a total geek that can’t stand to be disconnected for 5 minutes), fitness center, child care service, pools, air conditioning in every room, jet tubs, turndown service, free airport shuttles, steam room, concierge, room service, and the Caves du Roy discotheque. By the way, pets? Absolutely welcome. Oh, yeah, I’m there.

Every room is unique and inviting at the Byblos in St. Tropez

Oh, right. The rates. This is the part where my head explodes. A single room runs 325-500 Euros, which probably comes out to about $38,000 American, what with our economy running so splendidly. OK, no, not that much. That works out to $500-$720 a night. A Deluxe Room will run you $850-$$1,300 per night. And the Suite Deluxe? $2,250-$3,750 a night.

The decor at the Byblos will relax you

The Riviera Suite? With 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and a private terrace? Don’t even ask because they don’t even list the price on the site. Yeah, I’m so NOT there. Which is a shame because I’d love to hang with Penelope Cruz and Liz Hurley (LOVE her in “Bedazzled”) and Avril Lavigne, who all head to the Byblos whenever they get the chance.

Well, not Avril so much. That “Girlfriend” song still makes me convulse, ugh.

CELEBS SPOTTED AT BYBLOS: Paris Hilton, Kate Moss, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Avril Lavigne, Joan Collins, Beyonce, Penelope Cruz, Kylie Minogue, Liz Hurley, Naomi Campbell, Keanu Reeves

NEARBY RESTAURANTS: Salama, Villa Romania, Grenadine

You might just find Keanu Reeves at the Byblos hotel. There is no spoon.

Byblos Hotel in St. Tropez

PHOTO CREDIT | PHOTO CREDIT

(remaining photos from Byblos web site)