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At the beginning of 20th century,
king leopold II of Belgium described "the areas of the Alpes Maritimes
as a paradise on earth." Bathed in the magical light of the french
Riviera, Cap-Ferrat remains boths as fascinating and beautiful today as
it was then.
It was at the heart of this peaceful paradise of natural beauty that the
"Compagnie Hotelière des Centres de Tourisme Automobile" chose to build
the elegant Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat. From the opening of its doors in
february 1908, the hotel welcomed the aristocratic clientele during the
mild winter season.
The Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat attracted the international elite who
wintered on the French Riviera; princes and dukes of de Russian Imperial
family, the European royal houses, lords and barons from England; the
great entrepreneurs of finance and industry, glittering literary and artistic
celebrities. One of the best features of this turn-of-the-20th century
palace is its location at the tip of the peninsula in the midst of a
14-acre garden of semitropical trees and manicured lawns. It has been
the retreat of the international elite since 1908, and occupies the same
celestial status as the Réserve and Métropole in Beaulieu. Its cuisine
even equals the Métropole's. The building has open loggias and big
arched windows, and a terrace over the sea where you can enjoy the views.
Guest rooms are conservatively modern, with dressing rooms. For the most
part, they look as if the late Princess Grace might settle in
comfortably at any minute. They are generally spacious and open to sea
views, with thick carpets and elegant fabric wall coverings. Bathrooms
are state-of-the-art, with shower/tub combinations, robes, bidets, and
power showerheads. The beach is accessible via funicular from the main
building. |
