This luxury hotel opened its doors in November 1904 under the name of the « Panorama Palace » and has not lost any of his charm or attraction. With picture-perfect views over both Fourmis Bay and the Cap Ferrat Peninsula, this beachfront hotel straddles the Riviera’s most celebrated seaside resorts a luxe, privately owned, 5-star Hotel and member of The Leading Hotels of the World. A modern classic, this luxurious hotel provides all the intimacy of a private Mediterranean villa with the luxury and glamour of a palace.
Location
Perched on the peninsula of Cap-Ferrat, between Nice and Monaco, the Royal-Riviera position displays the perfect balance between Mediterranean gardens, landscape and sea. The historic fishing village, Saint-Jean-Cap- Ferrat is a beautifully situated seaside and winter resort sought after for its tranquillity. The Cape, comprising the extreme southern point, extends north to the mainland where on one side lies the romantic historic fishing village of Villefranche-sur-Mer and on the other side the peaceful Baie des Fourmis of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and its surrounding region boasts magnificent villas, museums and gardens all for visitors to discover.
By foot, you can reach Beaulieu-sur-Mer’s casino in five minutes or the Villa Kerylos in 10 minutes. A coastal path rambles past David Niven’s fabled pink villa towards St-Jean fishing port – it’s a 15-minute walk from the hotel steps. You can drive to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in five minutes.
Style
Closely supervised by Grace Leo, the renovation of the Hotel Royal-Riviera’s 78 rooms and suites was undertaken by a design team which included Nye Basham, an up-and-coming designer whom Mrs Leo discovered whilst he was working as Artistic Director to Ralph Lauren. The design team was briefed to completely renovate the public areas of the hotel, to include the main entrance, lobby and reception area, as well as The Cap Bar. This project, completed over a period of four months, included selecting the furniture, furnishings and accessories, as well as devising the design plan itself.
Choosing to break away from the old Belle Epoque style for which the hotel had become synonymous, if not typecast in recent years, Grace Leo and her team of designers introduced a neo-Hellenistic style and theme to the ground floor areas. With a palette of olive-green, amber and Sienna brown, the design team sought to emphasize the Hotel Royal-Riviera’s Mediterranean character, the desired effect being that guests should feel that they are staying in a luxury villa. The overriding sensation is one of stepping into the boudoir of a private collector, colonial grandeur contrasting with informal elegance.
The best feature is the outdoor living space that meanders through dining, swimming and relaxation areas dotted with Banana palms, citrus and olive trees. The lush garden bears the signature of Southern France’s most talented landscape architect, Jean Mus. High ceilings and double-height windows give an airy glamour to the ground floor, while the overall interior design combines Art Deco and Neo-Hellenic elements.
Rooms
The bedrooms enjoy either mountain, sea or garden views, or in the case of several of the rooms and suites, panoramic views of both the sea and the gardens. Depending on their orientation, the rooms open out to the sea or mountains.
In the main building, this room category has two décors: Classic or Contemporary. Although Classic rooms (on upper floors) command the best sea views, the furniture and fabrics are rather old-fashioned. We prefer the freshly decorated Contemporary rooms (on lower floors) with stunning 3D wall panels. The second-floor Contemporary rooms combine the best of both décor and views. More Superior rooms are to be found in the Orangery. With their contemporary Provençal interiors, these garden-facing rooms have the advantage of their own balcony or terrace.
All the Sea & Garden view rooms and suites located on the first and second floors are designed in a very glamorous style recalling the sumptuousness and joyous modernity of the 1950’s. The atmosphere is light and glowing, highlighted by a few dark items (low table, bedside tables, the base of the standard lamp…) and set off by a few colorful notes for the fabrics (re-editions of 1950’s American fabrics, a bench at the foot of the bed, cushions, bolsters…). A large mirror rather like an oversize pebble hangs on the wall from cords recalling the ropes of yachts anchored in the bay of Saint-Jean- Cap-Ferrat. Every detail has been carefully chosen from Bulgari bathroom products to monogrammed stylish robes.
On the third and fourth floors, the rooms are decorated in three acidulous colors spiked with lemon, aniseed and redcurrant, subtly distributed in the furnishings, fitted carpets, sofas, bed throws and cushions. One of the walls is adorned with a painted canvas representing Greek vases.
L’Orangerie, the garden villa at the Royal-Riviera Hotel, offers additional accommodation to guests in an authentic Mediterranean-style villa, created under the direction of the GLA design team which included leading Parisian interior designer Michel Jouannet. L’Orangerie’s 14 rooms and 2 bedroom suites are designed in the Provençal hues of orange and lavender with shades of olive-green, and furnished in local larchwood.
Each bedroom features a balcony or a terrace, and benefits from a view of either the gardens or the pool area. Guests on the ground floor are invited to enjoy breakfast outdoors on spacious flag-stoned terraces, where the scent of jasmine and citrus trees fills the air. Furnished with local teak furniture, each terrace area is bordered by high jasmine bushes and laurel trees, which bloom in the summer with small fragrant white flowers. Rooms on the pool side of the villa also benefit from direct access to the pool area, via a private stone footpath.
Service & facilities
The staff reflect the entire ambience of the hotel and you experience discreet and first-class service always discreetly and in the background – ready to fulfill all your needs when you need it.
For me, beyond lounging by the pool, one of the biggest joys at this hotel is taking breakfast on the large terrace overlooking the pool. If you get a seat at the end you are also right by the sea. Take your time when having breakfast- the incredible extensive buffet stations and stunning views from the terrace will make it difficult for you to leave this place. There isn’t a better way to start the day.
There is also small spa, seating under trees in the gardens and of course the pool and superb private beach, which has sand shipped in each year to cover the more gritty natural beach beneath. At the Spa you’ll be pampered with marine Thalgo spa treatments before relaxing in the steam room.
With its hilltop views over Fourmis Bay, the Jasmin Bar and Grill is our favourite lunchtime option. This glass-walled conservatory and veranda welcomes guests all year round. Alongside the usual suspects of fish, grilled meats and salad, there are Indian dishes made from an outdoor tandoori oven. The star of the show here is Sunday brunch: a hot-and-cold buffet with everything from oysters to mini-jars of tiramisu.
There’s also a formal restaurant, La Table du Cap, with high windows and a garden-facing terrace. The rich French gastronomic fare is filling, though you should leave room for chef Anthony Cadei’s signature dishes.
In a colonial style with exotic touches, the bar Le Cap gives you the impression of being seated in a private lounge. The bar opens onto the terrace overlooking the garden, where service begins the moment the fine weather arrives, ensuring that our guests can make the most of the mild climate and the excellent quality of life of the Riviera.
The Royal-Riviera is one of the only establishments on Cap-Ferrat to have a private sandy beach. Access is free of charge and the beach is open from late May to late September.
A number of watersports activities are offered from the jetty: water skiing, jet skiing, paddle, trampoline, etc. (nautical activities are provided by an external supplier).
To enjoy the Riviera sun in every season, our heated outdoor pool is open all year round (except during our annual closure). Access is free of charge for hotel guests who can also take the time to enjoy a cocktail by the water thanks to our pool bar.
Jean Mus created both the design and the composition of the gardens of the Royal- Riviera, using for inspiration the famous phrase of Oscar Wilde: “I can resist everything except temptation.” An architect and landscaper, in love with the region, he was able to express, in this place of dreams, a free imagination, delicate sensuality and rich poetry linked with refined exoticism.
Our elegant Garden Deck is a haven of peace, an ideal place for afternoon tea, cocktails, or quite simply somewhere you can relax and immerse yourself in the fragrance of the surrounding Mediterranean plants.
Function space
With a dedicated event space, the Royal-Riviera is the perfect confidential venue for 10 to 110 people on any occasion: board meeting, gala dinner, prestigious event, private party, product launch and group incentive.
All of the meeting rooms benefit from a unique view on the Mediterrean Sea and our gardens.
The generous 98 sq. m. MÉDITERRANÉE ROOM with its marble floors and luminous space features three majestic mirrors in gold patina frames that reflect natural light. This room with its unusual lighting – an oversized contemporary lampshade and original appliques – is ideal for meetings or cocktail parties for 80 to 100 people.
The AZUR ROOM of 42 sq. m. is perfect for meetings of up to 20 people. It can also be used for breaks and has separate access.
The PANORAMA ROOM, with its 104 sq. m., offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Mediterranean reflected in wide horizontal mirrors. The room has direct access to the terrace.
Entirely decorated in neo-Grecian style as an extension to the hotel lobby and reception area decor, this room with its two-tone marble floor also boasts a very high ceiling. All of the meeting rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi.
With its quiet charm and discretion, the Villa l’Orangerie is the ideal place to hold your smaller events. Its 14 rooms and 2 suites can be fitted out to host your management committees, press presentations etc., from October to April.
The Royal-Riviera is the ideal place to hold management seminars, prestigious events, product launches or incentive gatherings for 15 to 100 guests. The hotel offers you exclusive use of its 94 rooms and suites from October to April.
It would, however, be a shame to forget that the hotel’s ideal location allows you to discover within its immediate surroundings, places that are unique throughout the world. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is much more than a billionaires’ peninsula. The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its nine gardens on different themes overlooking the Mediterranean, all created in the early 20th century at the initiative of the whimsical Béatrix Ephrussi de Rothschild, is an outstanding place where your children will have the opportunity to enjoy treasure-hunts.
In Beaulieu-sur-Mer, just opposite the Royal-Riviera, the Villa Kérylos is an identical reproduction of a wealthy Greek ship-builder’s home in the Age of Antiquity, where you will be marvelled by the modernity and luxury of the bathing facilities in green marble…
In Villefranche-sur-Mer, the 16th-C. Citadel faces a sublime bay playing host to yachts and cruise ships.
Only a short drive away, the Principality of Monaco is an exceptional address offering a comprehensive array of boutiques with prestigious names and a night-life appreciated by clubbers from all over the world.
James Bond has driven his Aston Martin on the legendary Grande Corniche which overlooks Like him, enjoy this European playground to experience all type of cars. The surrounding streets with stunning views make this property the perfect venue for automotive- launches and driving experiences. A cabrio could be the right choice to stop for a BBQ on the beach. Or, perhaps you would prefer an inland adventure with a 4×4 and a picnic at Col de Turini?
Clients, journalists, dealers or any car lovers will be charmed by this area. With the expertise in motor events the dedicated Event-team of the hotel, will be delighted to fulfil your slightest desires.
The Royal-Riviera to me is undeniable the most stunning property on the French Riviera and you will fall in love with this place immediately. I can highly recommend this place nestled in such natural beauty.
For more information or bookings, please visit
Website: https://www.royal-riviera.com/
3 Ave. Jean Monnet
06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat,
France
Phone / Tél: +33 (0) 4 93 76 31 11
Email: resa@royal-riviera.com
For event and group booking:
Phone / Tél: +33 (0) 4 93 76 31 43
Email: sales@royal-riviera.com
