The secret hideaway of the stars

Simone Duckstein, who owns and runs Hotel La Ponche

Although she has only been running the hotel for nine years, Simone Duckstein was born in her parents' room at La Ponche, and it has remained in her blood ever since. "My parents bought the bar in 1938 and slowly transformed it into a hotel. I've never seen this place as a business, it's simply my home". The first eight rooms were opened in 1957, with ten further rooms completed a decade later. "Altogether, there are a total of three houses with nine different floors, each with one to three rooms. For me, the odd layout just makes this place even more charming".

Throughout its 70-year history, this tiny hotel has been a sanctuary for some of the world's most famous faces, including the French screen siren Brigitte Bardot.

In fact, Simone revealed that Bardot, who was 17 at the time of her stay, described this secluded retreat as "the most romantic part of Saint-Tropez". It has also been immortalised in literature, with a description of the bar appearing in Paul Vialar's 1951 work 'La Toile'. What's more, it also featured in celebrated French author Françoise Sagan's autobiography 'Mon meilleur souvenir'. Simone told us: "Her book actually has an entire chapter on Saint-Tropez, and she talks about her time staying here." In fact, Simone used to write to Sagan for a time, and often likes to keep in touch with previous guests through letters.

All the rooms are named after the stars that liked to stay there: "The people who have left their mark on the house have their favourite rooms named after them. It's a way of extending their memory, and in a way it means that they are still here." You can stay in rooms named after the likes of Sagan, as well as Gunter Sachs and the award-winning actress Romy Schneider.

At the back of the building, you will find a beautiful, shell-shaped terrace that looks out onto the beach. "It's one of my favourite things about this place. Guests love to come out here to watch the sun rise. I remember that whenever Picasso stayed with us, he would always sit here, at the same table where he could look out to sea."
Although many stars have graced its rooms, La Ponche still remains one of the most secret spots in the area.
So how did this former fisherman's haunt become so famous with the famous? Simone believes that much of this is down to its private location: "This is the perfect place to escape from the world and to simply live undisturbed. Celebrities came here and found that they could get away from their troubles without worrying about being snapped by the paparazzi." But how has this star hideout remained so well hidden from the eager celebrity spotters? "People passing by simply see a little house like all the others in the village, they could never imagine what is was really like on the inside. The luxury here is very discreet and so it's very easy for it go unnoticed."

Of course, after spending her life here, it's no surprise that Simone has some wonderful stories about some of the guests that she has hosted: "One of my favourite memories is of Catherine Deneuve's stay here. She told me that I had reconciled her with Saint-Tropez, which was the greatest compliment anyone has ever given me. I also have fond memories of Jack Nicholson's visit about five years ago. His friend, the photographer Willy Rizzo, had recommended it to him. No one had bothered him throughout his stay, and then as soon as I went to say hello, someone came over and asked if they could take a photograph of him! He just looked at me and said, "That's your fault!"

However, whether her guests are film stars looking to avoid the press or simply a couple after a romantic get away, the most important thing for Simone is that they are happy. She said: "For me, it is crucial that I have a good relationship with my guests and that they have everything they need during their stay."
As well as the hotel, the grounds also include a popular restaurant, and many people come here regularly just to eat. You might find it difficult to get a table though: "Every day we have some reserved tables, and everything is always booked up on market days." Guests can also enjoy a morning meal on the terrace: "We serve breakfast every day until three: we know that some of our visitors might want to sleep in!"

As always, the household names are expected to return to La Ponche when it re-opens this month for the summer season. So, who can we expect to bump into sunbathing on the terrace? "I can't tell you that" laughs Simone. It seems the stars' favourite hideaway won't be discovered any time soon.     Stephanie Macwilliam