Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Cannes

Cannes was not always synonymous with its red carpet, glitz and glamour. Protected by the hills and the Estérel massif, the city was, for a long time, a fishing village under the aegis of the priests of the Lérins Islands.

Bearing witness to this bygone era are the medieval castle of Castres, built in the 12^th century and the old city which has preserved its labyrinth of narrow picturesque streets, staircases and old houses.

This charming 19^th century village became famous thanks to Lord Brougham, the Grand Chancellor of England who fell in love with the site. His influence with the royal court and his presence in Cannes attracted all of European aristocracy, many of whom had palaces and mansions built for them here. It was during this period that one the Côte d’Azur’s most prestigious hotels, was born: the Cap-Eden-Roc.

A legendary palace

Located in Cannes, at the southernmost tip of the Cap d’Antibes, the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is a legendary establishment. Nestled in a park of centuries old pine trees, this elegant Napoleon the Third style building looks over the sea providing uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean and the Lérins Islands.

Opened in 1870 under the name of Villa Soleil as a refuge for writers, it became a hotel in 1889 thanks to Antoine Sella. Artists and writers made it their preferred site on the Côte d’Azur, soon to be joined by the aristocracy and later by movie stars.

The Oetker family, who purchased it in 1970, turned it into a luxurious palace hotel with all the comforts worthy of its rank. In 2007, it was entirely renovated once again. Today, the palace consists of the Hôtel du Cap, located in the Napoleonic building which has never changed in appearance, the Eden-Roc Pavilion overlooking the sea and the building known as “Les Deux Fontaines.”

The 118 luxurious and elegant rooms and suites are all different although they share the same warm and cozy atmosphere. Maja Oetker, in charge of the décor, has made certain that each one is personalized.

Although classic in style, they are equipped with the latest technology including a call system for “maid-valet and room service” enabling the desired intervention to take place in the minute that follows. The bathrooms are in beige colored marble.

The height of luxury, the sumptuous Eden Roc Suite, possesses a landscaped garden as well as a jacuzzi, located on a 250 square meters terrace.

And for even more privacy, or even to receive friends, the Eden Roc has, in its immense park, three magnificent villas with a swimming pool and a butler available 24-7.

Carved into the rock in 1914, the seawater swimming pool overlooks the Mediterranean as do the 33 furnished cabins nearby, creating a superb refuge offering intimacy and serenity. These wooden structures can be reserved for the entire day. In summer, a restaurant service assures guests of uninterrupted moments of relaxation.Hidden in one of the cabins is “The Spa Suite” for soothing body treatments in total tranquillity.

This exceptional site contains two restaurants offering guests wonderful gastronomic discoveries. For those who spend the entire day at the pool, the Grill & Lounge, under the direction of the talented duo of Hervé Buisson and Nicolas Marcon, proposes tapas, sushi and delicious grilled dishes. The Eden Roc restaurant, directed by Arnaud Poëtte for the past 30 years, offers specialties that have become famous like “Eden Roc roast sea perch with basil” or “Steak Diane flambé at your table“. Guests dine suspended between sea and sky above the rocky coast with breathtaking views of the Lérins Islands and the Esterel coastline.

To complete this idyllic portrait, the Eden Roc also possesses 5 clay tennis courts, numerous bocce lanes (known as petanque here), a spa and fitness center, and for those who prefer going out to sea, the palace has a Riva and two other boats available to guests.

A final and must visit in this magnificent residence is the chocolate factory which creates new flavors every year.

Hidden from curious eyes inside its 9 hectares park, the Cap-Eden-Roc Hotel is a veritable Garden of Eden where confidentiality, luxury and charm blend together to perfection.

Marc Chagall was a regular guest at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc. He stayed here every August for 15 years. Although he never signed anything…not even a simple bill, one year, a valet ran an important errand for him and Chagall relented and signed a post card for the fortunate employee.