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Destination Hotspot Grand-Hotel Cap du-Ferrat - A Four Seasons Hotel in the French Riviera
Cap Ferrat is one of the three major capes of the French Riviera separating the bay of Villefranche and Beaulieu, about half way between Nice and Monaco. It was in
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late 19th century, that Nice became the society capital for European aristocrats while also welcoming celebrities in modern times such as David Niven, Charlie Chaplin , Elizabeth Taylor , Eva Longoria, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey and Angelina Jolie. Set on the tip of the peninsula, Grand-Hotel Cap du -Ferrat, a Riviera institution is simply perfect! For those not familiar with the property, it was built in 1908, on 17 acres of land purchased from King Leopold II of Belgium. Since extensive renovations last year, this truly 5 star hotel has been given a new lease of life and for me
Villa & Jardins Ephrussi Rothschild Dream Weddings at St Jean Cap du Ferrat. INSET: Wedding Nuptials on the French Riviera.
ranks as the finest of its kind in the world. There are 74 rooms spread between the historic building and a newer addition. Six years ago all the public areas and bedrooms were redesigned by French interior designer Pierre Yves Rochon, who also did Paris’s George V. Artists who flocked to the South of France are also remembered here with reproductions by Picasso, Cocteau, Matisse, Chagall, Modigliani and Rodin used throughout. The hotel’s award-winning spa features five lavish treatment rooms, including a luxury VIP suite for couples, as well as two outdoor treatment pavilions with mesmerizing Mediterranean views and spa garden with sea-view sun terraces. ‘Le Cap’ at GrandHotel Cap du-Ferrat is the more intimate Michelin star gastronomic restaurant while ‘La Véranda” the all day dining option opens out onto a huge terrace spread over two levels, an ideal place for a cocktail reception. The hotel’s lobby area with its lounge and bay windows is often used for seated dinners at weddings as the white décor lends itself perfectly to such an occasion. For your wedding ceremony, the Grand-Hotel Cap du-Ferrat has a stunning walk way going from the main building through the gardens towards an equally spectacular space at “Club Dauphin” a 300
rand Hotel Cap de Ferrat from Four Seasons.
m² restaurant located side by side with the hotel’s Olympic size infinity pool which literally melts into the Mediterranean Sea. A ceremony could take place in the hotel’s gardens or equally on the terrace overlooking the sea. Room rates start from EUR 410 per room per night on a bed and breakfast basis for a Superior Pinewood Room subject to availability and blackout dates. www.fourseasons.com/capferrat St Jean Cap du Ferrat town centre is small with a few cafes, boutiques, boulangerie, casino and super market for picnic essentials. All along the peninsula you will find various beaches, all with their own unique character. The main tourist attraction is a villa built by wealthy socialite Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild between 1905 and 1912 She was lucky enough to be able to pick one of the best sites on the Cape domi-
nating the Mediterranean sea boasting stunning views east towards Italy and west towards the deep waters of its ancient harbour. Upon her death in 1934, she donated the property to the “Institut de France” who has maintained it to this day. It is also worth remembering that you can hire the villa and grounds for weddings. www.villa-ephrussi.com To get to Saint-Jean-Cap du-Ferrat, fly into Nice then rent a car or grab a taxi. The concierge team at Grand-Hotel Cap du-Ferrat by Four Seasons can also arrange private transfers and tours if you fancy a trip to nearby Monaco, Nice, or Eze. Aer Lingus fly daily from Dublin to Nice. www.aerlingus.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio & Travel Editor for numerous print and online publications on the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com