Le Youkali

Six studios in a former small yellow hotel with red shutters on the corniche de l'Arbousier, in the naturist domaine of Héliopolis on the Île du Levant, the car-free island off Hyères reached by boat from Le Lavandou or Hyères. It has been run since 2007 by the owners, Gilles and Thierry, two musicians: Thierry leads the island choir, which is also open to holidaymakers, and organises the occasional concert. Each studio has a double bed, a kitchenette and a bathroom; shared areas include a large terrace full of flowers, a small pool, a hot tub, the hammock and a kitchen with dishwasher and plancha. There is no air conditioning and there are no hotel services: it is a studio rental, with the village square, shops and bars a stone's throw away and the sea about ten minutes' walk away. Rates apply all year round and also include a week for a single person; payment is by cash, cheque or bank transfer only. People choose it above all for the calm and for the welcome from the owners, who are present but discreet; the terrace is the meeting point with other guests, if you want it to be. Many describe it as gay-friendly. On the island nudity is allowed almost everywhere and compulsory wherever people swim. Criticisms, which are rare, concern the heat in the rooms in summer, mosquitoes and the simple furnishings.