The Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat is a Belle Epoque relic positioned on its own private peninsula—jutting into the Mediterranean somewhere between Nice and Monaco. Over cocktails and appetizers just off the lobby (seated in a room designed by Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame), the hotel manager informs me that Emily in Paris filmed much of its Saint Tropez episode on the property—which is, in reality, nearly two hours from the location.
Signed pictures of Old Hollywood royalty adorn the walls of the winding stairwell, a soft howl of wind from what I am assured is a rare stormy night echoing through the antique elevator shaft. A duo of recently upgraded private villas (Villa Beauchamp and Villa Clair Soleil), pay homage to the Côte d’Azur through Mediterranean and provençal lenses, allowing guests to enjoy the sumptuous offerings of Cap-Ferrat from the privacy of their own “home.” Iconique, to say the least.
In pursuit of some pre-holiday wellness, I am pulled away (with some difficulty) from my dreamlike balcony view and into Le Spa for a treatment created by Dr. Burgener Switzerland. The Algae Draining Wrap promises to detoxify my entire body—I am slathered in clay, wrapped in plastic, and covered in a heated blanket. It all smells like the sea, which feels appropriate given the location—and said backdrop is what Dr. Pauline Burgener loves the most about Du Cap-Ferrat. “The tranquil environment fosters relaxation, allowing individuals to unwind and de-stress effectively,” says Dr. Burgener. “Additionally, the hotel’s gardens provide a rich source of botanicals that are integral to our specialized treatments, enhancing the efficacy and natural essence of our skincare solutions. Combining this peaceful setting with access to natural, locally sourced ingredients creates an ideal atmosphere for rejuvenation and body care.”
The local ingredients also make for a transcendent farm-to-table lunch. In the hotel’s private gardens, located on a nearby cliffside, Executive Chef Yoric Tièche walks us through the herb and vegetable plots so that we can better appreciate our dishes. I negate my detox with bread, cheese, and wine. An afternoon in Nice comes with vintage shopping (the impossibly charming Marie Chiffon is kind enough to open their doors despite their officially “closed” status, and we peruse as they unpack antique lace) and enormous waves. Eze, a carless village that winds up a mountainside, is nothing short of a fairytale. The hotel’s pool, Le Club Dauphin, can be accessed via trail (or hillavator), the rocky coastline and nearby Cap-Ferrat lighthouse lending to the unending grandeur.
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