Resort palace in the French Riviera - Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes
Dear readers, during the peak of the pandemic back in about two years ago, I went to a bookstore on one of the weekend, it was dead-quiet that day as people were fear to go out because of Covid, it was a pretty depressing period. I stopped by one of my favorite department - interior design, and from there, I didn’t have any intention to buy anything, but something came across me and caught my eyes, it was a coffee table book titled “Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc: A Timeless Legend on the French Riviera” published by Flammarion; I came across that book before from one of the article I read, not just because it reminds me of my trip to the French Riviera in 2017, but I was fascinated by this magnificent hotel with its glorious history and deep association with high society resort style. Despite the depression and challenging economy back then, something inside me that said that I have to get that book, and so I did. When I went back home and started reading that book, I was mesmerized by the history and legacy of Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, also, thanks to my obsession with Chanel’s cruise 2011 fashion show which took place in that hotel, watching the chic collection being sent down on the hotel’s iconic ‘Grande Allée’, I keep thinking how great that is if I can visit this grandiose luxury hotel in person one day. Fast forward to early this year, when I realized that I’ll be able to revisit my beloved French Riviera again as my birthday celebration, I decided to make this surreal dream of mine come true - to make a visit at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc during this birthday trip.
@RomainReglade
@RomainReglade
Located in Antibes along the coastline of the deep blue Mediterranean sea, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc was opened in 1870 as a private mansion under the name ‘Villa Soleil’, originally built by the Founder of the prominent French newspaper, Le Figaro, for writers who seeks inspirations, the hotel was later bought by an Italian hotelier, Antoine Sella, and operated under the name “Grand Hôtel du Cap” in 1889. The hotel has attracted many legendary writers, artists and affluents, among them included Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the affluent American couple Gerald and Sara Murphy, not only it’s the famous summer resort destination, but also a great winter escape for them as well. The hotel then operated by André Sella, Antoine’s son, who took the hotel to the next level by bringing in more prestigious and elite clientele included the late US president John F. Kennedy, Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Winston Churchill, and French General Charles de Gaulle, not to mention, the hotel is also a favorite for countless famous film stars during the annual Cannes Film Festival. The hotel then acquired by a German industrialist, Rudolf August Oetker, who strives to carry on the hotel’s glorious legacy on providing the tip-top hospitality experience to the affluent and famous, high society and nobilities, making it one of the most prestigious hotel in the French Riviera, with its picturesque atmosphere and discreet privacy for their important guests. Currently operated under the Oetker Collection, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc was listed as one of the top 50 hotels in the world in 2023, also in the Conde Nast gold list just this year!
@Jean-Michel Sordello
@Jean-Michel Sordello
With no doubt that I was attracted by this luxury hotel’s grandeur, prestigiousness and their deep history with legendary intellectuals and elites, and of course, it’s high society summer resort chic which associates with luxury lifestyle, high fashion and art of living, to me, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is the place where elite and bon vivant with great taste and style, deep appreciation in literature, art, old Hollywood movie, even high fashion, to make a pilgrimage to, in a way to fulfill the surreal fantasy, tracing back the bygone high society glamour and elegance, also to experience the French Riviera luxury summer resort chic in our time now. While the best shot I got is to have a delightful lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, The Grill Bar, and, stepping on the iconic ‘Grande Allée’ in person, it’s been one of the best day I had in my life!
@Jean-Michel Sordello
@Jean-Michel Sordello
Upon entered the restaurant, I was instantly enchanted by the luxurious coastal summer resort atmosphere, the crispy white interior with the big white beach umbrellas erected along the railing of the outdoor area of the restaurant, the azure-color cushion, oceanic blue water glass and neat table setting on the white furniture contrasting with the pine wood flooring, it feels like having a lunch on the deck of a luxury cruise ship. If walking up to the outdoor area towards the swimming pool area, one can experience the panoramic sea view and the partial view of the ‘Grande Allée’, doesn’t it remind you of the famous scene taken by the esteemed American photographer, Slim Aarons, named ‘Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc’ ? The food is nicely presented and pretty enjoyable, the cuisine leans more the Mediterranean style meets down-home French cuisine, prepare with high quality and fresh ingredients, modern and approachable, for those who enjoy high southern French cuisine and a chic, luxurious resort atmosphere, this restaurant can certainly offer you that.
At first it all started from a book which I got years ago, and now it eventually became a reality, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc will always be one of the most spectacular place that I’ve been in my life, not only it reminds me of keep having faith in my life even when it was in the most challenging moments, but also a great evidence of the result of resilient, perseverance, and focus on achieving the ultimate goal that I set for myself, no matter it takes years to come to fruition.
Cover photo: @RomainReglade
Image courtesy of Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes.