A Haven of Beauty, Elegance & Discretion

BEST OF | Summer 2024

Immerse yourself in the embraces of the Mediterranean Sea at Cap Estel, delicately perched upon a two-hectare private peninsula, surrounded by crystalline waters and its own secluded beach near dazzling Monaco.

This intimate hotel, complete with its gated estate and lush botanical gardens, serves as an idyllic haven for those who long to bask in serenity, far removed from the bustling tourist scenes. As a preferred hideaway for international celebrities for over half a century, the allure of Cap Estel’s understated elegance is undeniable. Cap Estel is located on the seacoast 25 minutes from the centre of Nice and ten minutes from Monaco.

A prestigious “house for guests”

At Cap Estel, discretion and convivial living are interwoven. Each and every zone of living provides the highest possible degree of comfort and personalised private spheres. Spread over a surface of 5500 m² it cannot house more than 60 persons in complete and utter security thanks to state-of-the-art equipment and 24-hour guardian service. The exclusivity of Cap Estel lies in its supplementary, bonus service offerings and its exquisite sense for every tiny detail: private beach, access to swimming pools and lounge chairs, sauna/hammam and fitness club with its own private trainer on request.

Haute Cuisine at “La Table de Patrick Raingeard”

The restaurant at Cap Estel was distinguished by one Michelin star already in 2013. Patrick Raingeard and his kitchen brigade offer haute cuisine which works in respectful coordination with seasonal produce and local products. Maître Raingeard inherited his love of cooking from his grandmother in Bretagne, it was his fervent desire to learn contemporary grand cuisine. He fulfilled that aim at Alain Passard (***Michelin), Jacques Maximin at Ledoyen (**), Elyse Lentre (**), at La Mère Poulard on Mont Saint-Michel and Ladurée Paris at the side of Patrice Hardy and Pierre Herm. He worked in the kitchen at Zebra Square in Monaco, subsequently at Port Palace where he ultimately was awarded his first Michelin star. His credo remains: “Transcend simplicity and all the forms of elegance.”

When the weather is beautiful you can enjoy lunch in the shade of two magnificent trees at the pool house, and dinner at “La Table de Patrick Raingeard” indoors or else outdoors on the elegant terrace with views over the Mediterranean Sea. Desserts are the domain of pastry chef Vincent Delhomme. On Sundays a champagne brunch with views of the garden and the Mediterranean are celebrated. Barbecue parties are held from May until September, serving a variety of grilled fish and meat. And every Friday evening there is highly popular live music on offer.

Wellness signed by Sothys

The SPA emanates well-being through its bright architecture and a huge room opening wide to the sea. It is wreathed by a heated freshwater pool, a well-furnished fitness room, elegant treatment cabins, a hammam sauna and a quiet room. Cap Estel SPA has Sothys treatments and products on offer, and above and beyond that, water sports and boat rental. The gardens, walking paths and fountain have been newly designed and implemented by landscape architects Catherine Houssin and Alain Goudot, author of the book “The Gardens of Cap Estel.”

Events are for everyone

Due to its rooms, its service and its furnishings, Cap Estel is perfectly suited to high-calibre events as well as unique, unusual happenings, such as private or professional receptions, product presentations, gala parties, conventions and congresses, photo and film shootings. In this truly incomparable setting, the service team is attentive to every single detail in the sectors equipment and logistics. Private spheres and exclusivity have absolutely top priority.

The History of Cap Estel

In the year 1900 Frank Harris, a friend and trusted confidante of Oscar Wilde, transformed this rocky strip of coastline to a luxurious watering hole for wealthy winter tourists. Yet it was not until Countess Mary de la Canorge made the successful winning bid at an auction of the domain and re-named it Roc Saphir that the splendid garden containing several unique plant species was created as we know it today. After the death of the owner in 1993, the estate was purchased by South African industrialists in the year 2000, who were determined to restore the Cap to its original exquisite appearance. Talented architects and interior decorators from London created an atmosphere of light which would fit harmoniously into the overall ensemble including the garden and the sea. A cosy yet elegant, luxurious ambience then mixed furniture and modern technology into the composition, stirred in refined details, contemporary paintings and artisanally crafted pieces from Asia designated for expert placement in the monumental bar, the friendly and inviting restaurant, the glass cube of the wine cellar and the comfortable lounge zones.

Services and infrastructure

• A cinema with seating for 38 persons
• Piano bar
• Professionally equipped kitchen including its own back office
• Wine cellar with glass door
• Private beach with boat dock on request
• Heated seawater swimming pool with Jacuzzi outdoors, and freshwater swimming pool indoors
• SPA with hammam sauna, elegant massage cabins, well equipped fitness club with sea view, animated by a coach, relaxation room
• Various inside and outside spaces for professional meetings, seminars, product launches, conventions, private events or high-level gala parties, film and photo shootings, restaurant hall, pool house, garden, spacious terraces