FOCUS ON THE CÔTE D’AZUR HOTELS WE LOVE

© Le Carlton Cannes, Le Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, and Hôtel Les Roches Blanches Cassis by yonder.fr.

The mild climate, palm trees, and mimosas, artists, and famous personalities: the Côte d'Azur attracts everyone. From the Esterel massif to the Baie des Anges, only legendary 5-star hotels could fit in here.

With its crenellated towers in front of the most beautiful beach in Théoule-sur-Mer, this brand-new 5-star hotel looks like a fairytale castle. It’s easy to see why Alexandra and Philippe Monnin, the founders of the Millésime group, fell in love with this 17th-century soap factory, transformed by its former owner, Scottish Lord Harry Crawford. After three years of meticulous work, it has become a magnificent hotel on the Côte d'Azur. Under the artistic direction of Marie-Christine Mecoen, the woodwork was preserved, and the parquet floors were reproduced. Azure blue, pale pink, and soft green reflect the Riviera, along with the 1930s-inspired furniture. The 33 rooms and 11 suites are spread between the castle, the Art Deco Villa, and the privatizable Maison des Pêcheurs, perfect for a family with its 3 bedrooms and marina view.

The Mareluna restaurant, led by chef Francesco Fezza, offers a gastronomic menu with Italian flavors. Guests can also enjoy the Plage Blanche beach, where Nicolas Boucher offers a classic yet seasonal menu. Four bars provide diverse settings, from facing the bay of Cannes to the stunning poolside. After relaxing on the private beach, guests can enjoy a privileged moment at the Éc(h)o spa in the Château, with its sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, and Nordic baths, complemented by myBlend and KOS Paris treatments. A new exceptional address in an environment conducive to emotion.

Château de Théoule, 55 avenue de Lerins, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer. More information about this hotel. 

Half an hour from Nice airport, this is one of the most prestigious palaces on the Riviera, standing imposingly at the tip of the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula for over a century. No wonder Four Seasons acquired this dazzling white monument nearly 10 years ago. From Winston Churchill to Picasso, Elizabeth Taylor to Jean Cocteau, countless celebrities have stayed here. The 74 rooms, decorated in shades of white and beige, with silk and linen, were renovated by interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Alberto Pinto and Sybille de Margerie handled the renovations of the Villa Rose-Pierre and the other two villas, respectively. Ranging from 2 to 5 bedrooms, these villas offer intimate stays with butler service and private pools. Landscape architect Jean Mus redesigned the gardens leading to the sea.

The Club Dauphin, accessible by cable car, features an Olympic-sized heated seawater pool, surrounded by sunbeds and 19 cabanas. Lunch at La Véranda offers bistro-style Mediterranean cuisine, while dinner at Le Cap under the magnificent Eiffel rotunda presents chef Yoric Tièche's Provence-inspired menu. The 750 m2 spa, with treatment rooms, an indoor pool, and the hammam-jacuzzi-sauna trio, adds to the luxury. For fitness enthusiasts, jogging paths and two clay tennis courts are available. The day ends with a cocktail under Aleppo pines, accompanied by jazz and the majestic sea.

Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, 71 boulevard du Général de Gaulle, 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. More information about this.  

© Le Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat par Christian Horan.

In 2022, Nicolas Saltiel, head of the Chapitre Six hotel collection, acquired this iconic establishment between Nice and Cannes. He gave Belgian architect Bernard Dubois carte blanche to redefine the codes of what was the legendary Maison des Pêcheurs restaurant in the 1940s. Dubois' minimalist design recalls modernist villas, with stone floors, whitewashed walls, and subtle lighting creating a Hollywood-like atmosphere. The 35 rooms and suites feature custom-made wooden furniture and fans, some with terraces offering panoramic views of the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands. Ground-floor rooms offer secret gardens with views of mandarin trees, maritime pines, or palm trees.

The private beach invites sunbathing, swimming, and partying at the Baba bar-restaurant. Israeli star chef Assaf Granit designed the menu, executed brilliantly by Mathieu Garino. The evening brings chef Nicolas Rondelli's starred and marine cuisine. For relaxation, there’s an infinity pool, and Holidermie treatments are available in two wooden cabins in the garden. For total relaxation, head to the rooftop for a session orchestrated by Tigre Yoga.

Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel, 10 boulevard du Maréchal Juin, 06160 Antibes. More information about this hotel.  

© Cap d’Antibes Beach Hôtel par Early Online, Adresses Hôtels, Julie Charvin, Cde Saint-Exupéry, A. Couroyer et Giulio Girardi. 

Near the famous Paul Ricard circuit, this discreet address is nestled in 12 hectares of parkland, with pine trees, fountains, and lavender. This Relais & Châteaux member has only 43 rooms and suites, each with a terrace. Ranging from 27 to 150 m2, they offer elegant, contemporary decor with a touch of Provençal poetry. Guests come to perfect their swing on the 6-hole course or relax in the 750 m2 spa, featuring a sensory path, sauna, whirlpool baths, ice fountain, salt cave, and Kneipp channel, along with Sym Biologic System treatments.

Reservations are essential at La Table du Castellet, where Fabien Ferré, the youngest French chef to earn three Michelin stars this year, offers a delicate cuisine that makes him a prestigious ambassador of Provençal terroir. Guests can also enjoy grilled fish in a salt crust at the San Felice bistro.

Hôtel & Spa du Castellet, 3001 Route des Hauts du Camp, 83330 Le Castellet. More information about this hotel. 

© Hôtel & Spa du Castellet par Hidden Cliffs. 

This Art Deco gem, built by Nice architect Georges Dikansky for Alexandre Barache, stands amidst the famous Gould pine forest. Over the years, it has hosted the Aga Khan, the Duke of Windsor, Prévert, and Picasso. Nearly a century later, thanks to owner Marianne Estène-Chauvin, the crystal chandeliers, dark wood paneling, and wrought iron stair railing still evoke the spirit of that era. The 40 rooms and suites, recently renovated, overlook either the pine forest or the sea, blending raspberry pink and tobacco brown, geometric carpets, and artwork nodding to the artists who frequented the hotel. 

After a swim and a massage, it’s time for a drink at the Paseo, a hippie-chic bar with an eco-responsible decor. For dinner, a 4-minute walk leads to the Belles Rives' starred restaurant La Passagère, where chef Aurélien Véquaud’s seafood and pastry chef Steve Moracchini’s desserts shine.

Hôtel Juana, 19 avenue Georges Gallice, 06160 Juan-les-Pins. More information about this hotel. 

Maison Albar Hotels has added this fully renovated 5-star urban hotel to its collection, located in Nice's Golden Square, near the Promenade des Anglais. The 132 rooms and suites offer views of either the countryside or the bay, with balconies or terraces. Decorated by Elodie Lenoir, the natural shades complement the Niçoise baroque furniture. The 850 m2 spa includes a swimming pool, hammam, sauna, jacuzzi, and 6 treatment rooms with Vinésime and Biologique Recherche protocols.

Chef Charles Guy prepares a Mediterranean menu in the inner garden, while chef Pierre Armand’s dishes can be savored under the trees at Le Patio. Le Rooftop offers light dishes and cocktails against a backdrop of the Azure Sea.

Le Victoria, 15 avenue Auber, 06000 Nice. More information about this hotel.  

This jewel of French hospitality, built by architect Charles Dalmas and owned by Katara Hospitality for the past 10 years, has undergone a stunning facelift and added two new wings identical to the facade. Architect Richard Lavelle and interior designer Tristan Auer have put all their talent into the headquarters of the Cannes Film Festival since 1946. Behind the heavy revolving door, the lobby has regained its splendor, marrying marble with contemporary chandeliers. However, the 332 rooms, including 72 with sea views, have chosen the modernity of a delicately refined decor in light shades. Grace Kelly, Cary Grant, Sean Connery... The suites impress with their spaciousness, the quality of the materials, and the custom-made furniture. The two new wings, housing 37 residences with up to 4 bedrooms and a hanging garden planted with over 22,000 species, leading the way to the pool and spa, are also surprising.

Three restaurants meet all expectations : lunch on the private Beach Club with a Niçoise salad or a lobster roll, indulge in Mediterranean flavors at the Riviera brasserie, and travel with the Anatolian creations at Rüya. At the C Club Spa, treatments are holistic, and the fitness room even features a boxing ring. End the evening gently at Bar 58, extending from the tea room, if only to admire the astonishing Raku ceramic-covered counter.

Carlton Cannes, 58 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes. More information about this hotel. 

© Le Carlton Cannes by Amaury Laparra.

Located in the heart of the Calanques National Park, this boutique hotel on the Côte d'Azur is a perfect blend of charm and luxury. Dating back to 1887, it has been renovated to offer 29 rooms and suites with contemporary decor and sea views. Guests can dine at the two restaurants, La Table de la Plage and Les Belles Canailles, offering Mediterranean cuisine and seafood specialties. The infinity pool and private beach provide relaxation, while the spa offers treatments using natural products.

Hôtel Les Roches Blanches, 9 Avenue des Calanques, 13260 Cassis. More information about this hotel. 

© Les Roches Blanches par yonder.fr et D. Delma. 

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