REVIEW: Four Seasons - Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat

I’ll admit… France has never been that high on my travel list. There’s nothing bad about the country, it just always reminded me of past school trips and walking tours. As well, because it’s relatively easy to get to from London, I felt that the weather would be pretty similar (and we all know, I tend to chase the sun). However, one area I’ve been meaning to visit for a while, has been the South of France. A slightly more Mediterranean laid-back vibe, valleys and beautiful beaches. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to visit Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, situated between the glamorous Nice and Monaco, within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. More specifically, we were here to experience the iconic Four Seasons Grand Hotel Cap-Ferrat, which famously made an appearance on Season 2 of Netflix’ ‘Emily In Paris’. The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat has long been a favourite retreat among the rich and famous, royal houses, entrepreneurs of finance and industry, and celebrities. Illustrious guests included the novelist Somerset Maugham, Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor, David Niven, Winston Churchill and Aristote Onassis.

First Impressions & Setting

As with all Four Seasons Resorts, expect glamour and a 5-star celebrity treatment with a slightly more playful and friendly atmosphere. On arrival, you’ll see the historic white building surrounded by delicate greenery that frames the hotel. As you enter this grand hotel, you’ll immediately be greeted with the polished Rotunda designed by Gustav Eiffel (yes, the designer of the Eiffel), paved with marbled decor, airy windows with a sea view and high ceilings. The lobby was adorned with beautiful floral arrangements to add a pop of colour against the white furnishings, which were changed every two days. The vast gardens lead you to the sea and their ‘Club Dauphin’. You can easily see how stunning this hotel would be, in both winter and summer.

Rooms

One thing I constantly rave about whenever I stay at a Four Seasons hotel is the rooms. Even more so, their cloud-like beds with the softest pillows you’ll ever rest your head on. Trust me, you’ll be sure to have a good night’s sleep if you’ve travelled long haul. No matter what type of room you choose, yet will always be a luxurious experience. During our stay, we were in the latest development which included a Suite with a Private Pool. The suite is perfect for families, that are seeking more space and privacy. The master bedroom comes with a double-sink bathroom with a generously sized dressing area. As well, you’ll find another bathroom, luggage room, dining/living area and of course a patio and a heated private pool.

It’s cliche to say, but this room truly made me feel like a princess. The regal furnishings, chaise loungers and fresh flowers in every room were all a beautiful touch. We were even greeted with a welcome card, a few desserts from the patisserie, fresh fruit and personalised balloons. Extra amenities can be easily ordered through their Four Seasons app, which allows instant communication with the concierge. I’ve used this app a handful of times and it’s great for keeping in touch with the hotel during your stay.

Dining

Breakfast is served in the main building, or you can treat yourself to an in-room experience. A selection of continental favourites, healthy options, or heart American-style breakfasts, are all available.

During lunch, we went for a laid-back vibe at their ‘Club Dauphin’. The casual restaurant is made to feel more beach-like and serves light lunches, plenty of seafood and daily specials which you can enjoy whilst taking in the sea breeze. Of course, being by the sea, I had to choose Oysters to start with and opted for a light salad

The ‘Izakaya’ is served at Le Bar which overlooks the garden. This was perhaps my favourite dinner, serving Asian food in a tapas-sharing style. Whereas La Véranda, another of their restaurants offers a menu influenced by Italy and the Mediterranean.

Facilities

Just across Cap-Ferrat’s main domain and spectacular gardens, is the entrance to the property’s legendary ‘Club Dauphin’. Upon entering through the gates, a footpath descends down to the club, or you have the option to take the resort’s very own glass funicular.

Equipped with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, sophisticated loungers and comfortable cabanas, you can truly make the most of this sunny spot. We spent a day in a private cabana which came with welcome cocktails, a dedicated storage area, and charging ports, as well as boasting the best sea views. Whilst the beach club remains gated for guests only, there is direct access to the public seafront, which is dotted by idyllic coves. Or if you prefer to have a stroll along the coast, you can also carve out time in the day to walk along the hiking trail.

If you are seeking a more active vacation. The resort also offers a fully equipped indoor and outdoor gym, as well as two clay-surfaced tennis courts.

Overall

The question is: did Cap-Ferrat live up to its hype? 100% yes. The property has everything from pure elegance, modern amenities, timeless details, flavourful dishes, and of course, outstanding service. I can imagine coming back here for a weekend summer break near the beginning of the season.

Book your next stay at Four Seasons - Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat by visiting: fourseasons.com/capferrat/

This stay was gently offered by Four Seasons Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat. All views and opinions here are as usual my own.