Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel — Hotel in Nice

Feels like a fairly standard Four Seasons that would charge around $500-800 per night, but our room was $4800 - insane and not worth it at all. Don’t stay here - just skip this area and go to St Tropez instead, which has much better luxury hotels at (surprisingly) lower prices.||So many issues.||The pool area feels like a crowded resort since there’s nothing else to do on the property and only one pool - not the serene elegance you expect from a very expensive luxury hotel. A lot of kids screaming, feels like Disneyland.||The pool is saltwater which is weird - every other luxury hotel I stayed at on the riviera has been a freshwater pool. And it is 29 degrees so doesn’t cool you down in the heat, needs to be a few degrees cooler. If I wanted salt water, I’d go in the ocean.||Due to the weird layout of the hotel, the pool is very low next to the ocean, so you don’t have a good view of anything while lounging. There’s a funicular to take you up and down to the pool from the hotel, but it was BROKEN a few days before we arrived according to the staff. So you’ll have a 10 minute uphill hike back to the hotel to get sweaty after your pool time. I imagine this walk is prohibitive to old people, small children, or wheelchairs.||The restaurant at the pool was shockingly average - tasted like you’d expect at an average cafe on the street in a town like Nice, not a fancy hotel. And the prices were ridiculous - $180 for lobster pasta and $85 for jumbo shrimp - neither of which tasted above average. I don’t really understand how this restaurant isn’t higher quality given that the pool is basically the only attraction at the hotel. We had lunch each day last week at the pool at La Reserve in St Tropez and it was an experience every time, incredibly delicious. This four seasons pool restaurant was just average and disappointing.||I think the hotel must have a problem with people hiking the coastal trail coming up to use the pool without permission. We were accosted by 4 different staff demanding to know our room number and name (first and last). Felt very weird and uncomfortable and made me worried about leaving my cellphone on my pool chair while swimming if the staff was that concerned about strangers wandering around. ||The worst violation for me was that our room was not ready until 4pm. Check-in time is 3pm, and I booked thru Chase, so we should have had early check-in at 2pm or even 1pm. Instead, our room was delivered an hour late. At $4800 per night, we are paying $200 per hour (more really with a 3pm check in and noon check-out). If the hotel cannot deliver the room at the agreed time, it should repay the guest proportionally. Basically having the room ready for check-in time is the only actual responsibility of a hotel if you think about it - that is their most fundamental contractual obligation to the customer. Can they just deliver the room at 6pm if they feel like it? 9pm? No, of course not - there is a red line at the stated check-in time. These hotels are so snobbish about saying they cannot “guarantee” the room will be ready before 3pm if you arrive early. Well that cuts both ways - if the room is not available at the stated 3pm check-in time, the hotel has broken its contract with the customer. Inexcusable.||As a meager compensation, the front desk offered to comp a drink or dessert. So at the pool we ordered the cookie (stated on the menu to have a peanut topping) and a smoothie. The cookie arrived 20 minutes later but was a pistachio cookie, weird. Then the smoothie never came. We asked two more times and finally got our smoothie 40 minutes after ordering, but it was only mediocre watery juice, not a thick refreshing smoothie at all. Gross.||The room itself was nice, but the bathtub is really small - bizarre waste of space in an otherwise large room which has a big hallway entrance and walk-in closet, which space could have been better used in the small bathroom. And there is only one sink, which is not acceptable for a luxury room, especially in this price category.||The bigger problem is that there is a lot of mold in the corners and under the handles on the bathtub (see picture). It’s disgusting and makes you wonder how much they clean anything in the room…||And unfortunately you can hear everything in the hallway and in the room above you since the building is a historical mansion.||Also, other luxury French Riviera hotels all give you lots of fun souvenirs - a nice beach bag that you can use in your daily life, flip flops, pajamas, insulated thermos cups, straw hats, baseball caps, etc. The Four Seasons Cap Ferrat gives you nothing, absolutely nothing (even though it costs more bizarrely). The Four Seasons San Domenico in Taormina at least gave us baseball caps.||Another point to mention is that the lobby has almost no air conditioning, feels awful to be in there during the summer, such a terrible introduction to the hotel. You enter the hotel for check-in from the heat and it’s like walking into a stuffy sauna. Also annoying in the morning when you are walking to breakfast from your room, just instantly uncomfortable and sweaty to start your day. Just turn on some air conditioning, what is wrong with this place…||The one bright spot is the breakfast. The buffet is very small, but you can order anything you like, and the chef is very skilled - this was the most delicious and highest quality breakfast of our trip, better than any of the other luxury hotel breakfasts we had. It’s a Michelin-quality breakfast, better than even somewhere like the Bristol in Paris, and the lobster scrambled eggs and French toast were both incredible. ||There is a bee problem at breakfast, which is common at these French and Italian riviera hotels, but the staff did not offer a smoke pot or other method of keeping the bees away unfortunately. The bees really do take away the relaxation from an otherwise wonderful breakfast.||At checkout, we had to double check the folio and ask them to deduct the $100 food credit that comes with a Chase reservation (I suppose they would have not given the discount if I had not double checked and noticed the error). So that was another annoying waste of time conversation. ||Then we saw that the dessert and drink we had ordered at the pool the previous day as compensation for our late room had been charged as well. So that was another awkward and uncomfortable conversation where I had to request they take it off. And of course all of this happened in the stuffy hot lobby. ||True luxury hotels aren’t supposed to have all these accumulating screw-ups and messy, awkward conversations to resolve them. It shows the lack of attention to detail at this hotel - everything is a chaotic train wreck from start to finish.||Throughout the experience, the staff feel like barely trained college students. They’re nice enough, but don’t feel like they own their responsibility, not like you see with employees at other luxury hotels. Especially at the pool area, my wife noted that it felt like we were guests at some sort of pool club for the college kid staff. There were so many staff around, moving in groups and talking to each other, but not really handling the problems or standing at posts, so it was difficult to get their attention. I understand it’s hot and uncomfortable and not as much fun to patrol and attend to guest needs, but that is the job, particularly at a very expensive luxury hotel.||We left a car overnight, and apparently they charge 50 euros per night but no one told us at check in. Then we get into our car to leave the next day and no one offered us waters for the drive. You’d think for 50 euros they’d at least wipe off your windshield, but nope.||And the hotel doesn’t give you any sort of goodbye gift. All the other French Riviera hotels we stayed at gave us gift bags with fancy chocolate and even personalized leather luggage tags for our luggage at Airelles (which, again, is much cheaper than this four seasons). Absolutely nothing from the Four Seasons Cap Ferrat.||Overall, this is an extremely disappointing hotel. You can’t charge these rates and be this pathetic. I will definitely never come back on future French Riviera trips, and I highly recommend staying somewhere else. There’s no reason to stay here with much better competition in the region, and certain not at these hilariously high...

Enchanting Estate – Perfect for Relaxation

The true highlight of this hotel is its breathtaking garden, direct access to the sea, and the exclusive beach club. The location is simply sensational, offering stunning views and delivering the exceptional service expected from the entire Four Seasons chain.

Arrival & Entrance:

The estate is fully enclosed, with a gated entrance and security control. A spacious driveway leads to the main entrance, complemented by multiple underground parking garages. While the reception and concierge areas are relatively small, the staff is plentiful, professional, and consistently courteous.

Concierge Service:

Having experienced concierge services at many Four Seasons and other luxury hotels, I rarely find myself disappointed. However, I must highlight Salvatore Esposito, the Head Concierge, for his exceptional service. His charm, kindness, and efficiency in handling requests make every interaction a pleasure. His approachable and warm demeanor, paired with a great sense of humor, ensures that every visit to the concierge desk feels effortless. All my reservations were handled flawlessly, and everything worked out perfectly.

Rooms:

The rooms meet Four Seasons' high standards, boasting modern design and elegant decor. Most offer breathtaking sea views, while private villas with exclusive pools are also available for those seeking more privacy. Standard rooms feature a shower within the bathtub rather than a separate shower, which might not be ideal for everyone. The art-filled interiors add character to the rooms. Housekeeping provides impeccable service, attending to the rooms at least twice daily.

The True Standout – The Estate & Grounds:

While the rooms and interior design are undeniably luxurious, it’s the vast estate that truly sets this hotel apart. The extensive parkland is beautifully landscaped, featuring fountains, benches, sculptures, a well-maintained lawn, and lush, manicured trees and shrubs. The colorful flower arrangements further enhance the serene and picturesque environment, making the garden the perfect place to unwind.

For recreation, guests can enjoy a tennis court and table tennis facilities, adding to the variety of activities available on the property.

Exclusive Beach Club:

The hotel is directly connected to the private and highly exclusive Beach Club Dauphin. Guests can either take a scenic walk through the trees or opt for a gondola ride down to the club. I will provide a separate review of the beach club itself.

Spa & Wellness:

The spa is not located within the main building but can be accessed either via an underground tunnel or above-ground pathways. The spa includes:

Treatment rooms and a boutique shop

A small indoor pool, whirlpool, steam bath, and sauna

A compact relaxation area with only four loungers by the pool

Limited changing facilities, with just one shower and one restroom in the locker room

While the spa offers a relaxing atmosphere and attentive service, the overall size is quite limited, making it less ideal on rainy days when demand increases. There is also a fitness center equipped with all the essential machines, along with a selection of healthy snacks and beverages available at all times.

Dining Experience:

In addition to 24-hour room service, the hotel features several exceptional restaurants, which I will review separately. Each restaurant maintains top-tier quality, and the staff is incredibly attentive, remembering guests’ preferences. As a hotel guest, securing a great table is never an issue.

Final Thoughts:

This magnificent property in Cap Ferrat is a seasonal retreat, open only from spring to autumn, making it an ideal destination for guests who seek privacy, tranquility, and relaxation. It is a haven of peace in the South of France, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Whether indoors or outdoors, day or night, every corner of the hotel exudes elegance. The high standards of service, stunning surroundings, and exceptional hospitality make this an outstanding retreat for anyone looking...

This wonderful hotel does not require a lengthy review. I can best sum it up as being sheer excellence in every department from moment of arrival.||Some years ago, my family stayed at one of the other supposedly top hotels only a short drive away where the menu prices both in main restaurant and outside terrace exceeded those at Grand Hotel du Cap and they had a very rude pool attendant with a dreadful attitude who upset a number of guests. Ww have never returned as it offered bad value. I would give that hotel which is a supposed competitor of Hotel Du Cap, three stars.||By way of contrast, the all-round excellence of Hotel Du Cap Is five stars plus.||Our suite was gorgeous, Both the main restaurant dinner and service by the pool was a delight to experience especially out on the terrace in the evening with wonderful entertainment and superb cuisine along with the most enjoyable atmosphere.||This was our first ever stay and I would not wish to be anywhere else in the area than at this wonderful property. I am in little doubt that this really is the very best hotel in the South of France and that is saying something, as generally Cote d’Azur standards are high. I have been staying at hotels in the area since 1976. ||We can’t wait to return and we were so impressed that we are looking at booking a family celebration weekend at the hotel next year. ||Friends had recommended that we book a stay and our experience exceeded all expectations, which were extremely high from the outset due to the room rates. This hotel needed to be great to justify their rates and in fact it was better than great!||The level of service really is so exceptional that the rates actually offer good value. This is not an average top luxury hotel, it is extraordinary and brilliantly managed. What makes it particularly special is that the entire estate was formally a single residence and this is therefore not a large, grand hotel, it is in fact a boutique hotel and yet it is staffed as if it was a grand hotel three times the size.||We particularly loved the old lift and the immaculate vernacular down to the pool. We could not resist purchasing the Hotel du Cap soap bag from the spa which has a beautiful image of the hotel, a perfect souvenir. ||The art on display throughout the hotel and in the suites is exceptionally well curated. The choice of fine wines has to be seen, see photos ||I am posting some photos taken from our suite and around the hotel during our visit. This is a hotel that must...