Escape To France: Sea and Be Seen at the Maybourne Riviera
The glamorous Riviera has a new star, and she’s definitely worth a detour
We weren’t sure we would fit in. From the moment you enter the stark white lobby of The Maybourne Riviera, the property perched seemingly precariously on the edge of a cliff, you realise that chic seems a very understated way to describe it. It’s somewhere the cool crowd want to be seen. Would our weary clan, ruffled after a seven-hour flight and hour-long drive from Nice, laden with luggage to see us through the summer, feel at home at this see-and-be-seen spot on the edge of already sceney Monaco, in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on the cusp of the Italian border?
The answer? A resounding yes. Because although this property is an Instagrammer’s dream, with unparalleled views of the coastline from every floor-to-ceiling window and a playful Louise Bourgeois sculpture at its light-filled entrance, it has the Maybourne pedigree. It is too classy to be anything but welcoming. It is spectacular, yet unpretentious: a winning and hard-to-attain combination in this stretch of real estate.
The dramatic outer shell of the building, envisaged by famed French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, was made to seamlessly bring the outside in. And even though its interiors have been completely gutted and overhauled to showcase 69 uber-luxury rooms and suites, the building and its ethos, remain thankfully intact.
Opt for one of the nautically-themed suites, with huge terraces giving panoramic views, and although your sleek, spacious quarters will lure you to lounge, don’t miss out on all the property has to offer outside. You’ll find your friends hankering after an invitation to come pose by the infinity pools, which offer crisp calamari and moreish pizzas served from Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s La Piscine. And despite the distinctive orange-and-white striped parasols and beds catering to the prettiest of crowds, our four-year-old was made to feel equally at home, equipped with a mini life-vest if she lost her footing in the water.
We sneaked a visit to the hotel’s Riviera Playa beach club, a short drive to the coast which offers sun beds and a diving spot to cool off, but no sandy shores. Great for taking in the rays, and for those with tenders wanting to lunch on land. Dining at Ceto, at the summit of the hotel is essential. Celebrity chef Mauro Colagreco’s seafood-centric fine dining restaurant is a destination in itself. His multi-course menu is a masterclass in celebrating locally caught fruit de mer. From slivers of cured red tuna to fennel-flavoured lobster, the hero ingredients are allowed to shine. Don’t shy away from the degustation offering; you’ll find yourself delighted, and satiated – but not overwhelmed – by the symphony of dishes.
It’s the attention to detail that truly impresses. From (Maybourne-themed) colouring books being offered to entertain younger guests at Riviera restaurant (hot chocolate and fresh patisserie at breakfast were a daily highlight), to being guided to your preferred seat by the pool, and being spoilt with a birthday dessert, both families and film stars will feel utterly spoilt and cossetted. You’ll find yourself, like us, trying to elongate your stay. Sadly, it was fully booked, so plan ahead or you’ll be loath to leave like we were.
For more information, visit maybourneriviera.com
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s April 2024 issue