La Brise Marine

Historic hotel (welcoming guests since 1950) on the corniche de l'Arbousier, a short walk from the village square of Héliopolis, the naturist domaine of the Île du Levant, the car-free island off Hyères reached by boat from Le Lavandou or Hyères. It is not just any naturist hotel: it presents itself as a libertine venue, and its rules reserve it for libertine or libertine-friendly couples, single women and a few hand-picked single men, as long as they respect the rules of the libertine scene; minors are not admitted and erotic play is only allowed inside the premises. It has 14 sea-view rooms, an arcaded patio with a fountain, terraces overlooking the shore, a bar and a pool with a glass wall, the "aquarium pool"; there is no television in the rooms and breakfast is extra. It is open from May to September (minimum four nights in July and August) and in summer it hosts evening events, pool parties and shibari workshops, with a festive crowd. Returning guests appreciate the free-spirited atmosphere, the view and the welcome from the managers, Cédric and his mother Anne-Marie; the criticisms, frequent also recently, concern a dated and poorly maintained building, cleanliness and a welcome at the bar that some have found rude at times. Not suitable for those looking for family naturism or a quiet holiday.