When you’re traveling from Nice to Monaco or vice versa, there’s no shortage of places to visit and landmarks to see. From the beautiful bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer to the hilltop village of Eze, it appears this part of France simply has more than its fair share of breathtaking beauty.
However, there is one remarkable place that’s not readily accessible, and that’s by design. It is a landmark that others like it would envy if they were living creatures. You won’t see this gem from the road as it is masterfully hidden by a seaside slope.
So, what is this landmark that has me desperately trying to sound poetic? It’s a 20-room hotel housed in multiple cliffside buildings in Eze-Bord-de-Mer (aka Eze-sur-Mer) called Cap Estel. It was a favorite hideaway for affluent Americans soon after its completion and remains the perfect place to stay for people who value privacy over all else while on vacation.
The beautiful Cap Estel Hotel, Eze Sur Mer, French Riviera
Think of this article as your introduction to Cap Estel. One that simply explores the location of this prime property. Later, we will dive into the dining experience and other aspects of the hotel.
Brief History
This property puts the ‘e’ in exclusive while remaining tasteful and elegant. No grotesque structures or overly ostentatious features to emphasize opulence. Just plain elegance and the best of Mediterranean bliss.
The property was the manifestation of the vision of Frank Harris, an Irish writer who fell in love with the parcel of land when he discovered it. Over the years, ownership has been transferred from one prominent aristocrat to another.
These include Rose Angeline Levieuze, mistress of Count Sergei, Countess Mery de la Canorgue, and Greek heir André Embiricos.
Besides the rich history, what makes this villa such an attractive place? As the cliché goes, a picture is worth more than a thousand words, and in this case, you may want to pad that thousand with a few additional 0s. Maybe it’s just my love for Mediterranean villas that has me spellbound, but this property is an absolute gem.
The Appeal
The 20 rooms are spread across four buildings: La Cap, La Mer, Les Jardins, and Le Parc. Le Cap is the main building, an Italian-inspired neoclassical villa with 13 rooms and suites ranging in size from 30 to 500 square meters. Each one of these has a sea view, so regardless of your choice, you won’t miss out on the best part of staying at the property.
As you’ll see in our video, the aerial views here are simply spectacular. Step out at the right time and to the west, you’ll see a collection of vessels of various sizes giving the beautiful Mediterranean horizon and the Peninsula of Billionaires an added touch of glamor (not that it needs it).
South of the property, you can observe gentle waves crashing into the rocky part of the property boundary. On the east side, you have Baie de Saint Laurent, bordered to the right by the beautiful Plage Mala (Mala Beach). The beach occupies a cove in Cap d’Ail, the last French city before Fontvieille, the easternmost district in Monaco.
Apparently, I’m not the only one who sees the irresistible allure and immense value in Hotel Cap Estel. It was recently reported that Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, acquired the property for a reported € 200 million.
The news didn’t surprise me. I’ll admit that I’ve been intrigued by the hotel every time I’ve done research on the French Riviera (interpret that as pretty much all the time).
Right from my first visit to Nice, it was clear that the French Riviera had become my new favorite place in the world and that hasn’t changed. Places like Eze-Bord-de-Mer simply cement that sentiment in my mind.
The Best of the French Riviera?
One of the most alluring features of the hotel is the stunning infinity pool, set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. Others include a secluded private pebble beach you’ll only share with other guests. Given the size of the hotel, there’s a good chance you’ll have the beach to yourself.
The only thing that beats this is renting your own seaside villa. Of course, the French Riviera offers great options, such as Le Grand Jardin on Île Sainte-Marguerite Island (more on the villa option soon), but few can match the scenery and seclusion that Cap Estel delivers.
Now, I’ve been describing Cap Estel as if it were a tourist attraction, and while it certainly isn’t that, choosing it as your base while you’re on the French Riviera promises to deliver a memorable stay that’ll be hard to match.
You could easily choose not to leave the property and not feel like you’re missing anything in terms of what Côte d’Azur is best known for when it comes to luxury travel.
Cap Estel delivers hard-to-match privacy, world-class fine dining, and some of the best views in the region. You’ll be hard-pressed to find that combination anywhere else in the South of France.
