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At a Glance

Immortalized as the Hôtel des Étrangers in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, an Oetker Collection property on the tip of Cap d’Antibes, is one of the South of France’s most sought-after escapes. The property first opened in 1870, and what enchanted Fitzgerald then remains alluring now: the light; acres of scented gardens; and the “boulevard” that stretches from the château to the sea. Divided between the historic main building and the Eden-Roc Pavilion (closer to the Mediterranean), the 111 rooms and suites have cheerful interiors with ecru walls and carpets, and patterned textiles in shades pulled from the gardens—lemon, pistachio, hydrangea and rose. The pièce de résistance is the saltwater pool (one of the world’s most photographed, decades before Instagram), complete with swings and ladders for exhibitionists and thrill seekers. Several surprises from a current renovation are expected to be revealed in the 2023 summer season, but the pleasure of returning here was perhaps best captured by the writer George Sand in 1868: “We are in an Eden… a paradise for poets.”

The Standout: The photogenic saltwater pool, built into a rock with a180-degree view of the Mediterranean
Don’t Miss: An aperitif during golden hour in the Bay of Cannes aboard Eden-Roc’s Riva boat

Indagare Loves

• The seafront cabanas, which offer a private setting for relaxation
• The beautiful rose garden, where you can also enjoy spa treatments
• The proximity to the Riviera’s towns and villages, making the hotel an easy base for exploration

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc Review

The Hotel du Cap is nestled among 22 acres of private gardens on the southernmost tip of the Cap-d’Antibes. There are 111 rooms in the main hotel and the Pavilion right beside the ocean, located a five-minute walk from the main hotel towards the water. This is where you’ll find the pool, lounge area and two restaurants, all with direct sea views. The spa and tennis courts are hidden among the hotel’s gardens, and the famous seawater swimming pool is nestled into the rock, offering a 180-degree view of the ocean.

Hidden away in a beautifully tended rose garden, the Eden-Roc’s spa is housed in an airy, modern pavilion with two additional outdoor gazebos for massages. There are four treatment rooms, a hammam and sauna, plus a small, high-tech fitness center for yoga, Pilates and private workouts. There’s also a beauty center on-site for hairdressing, manicures and makeup. Another fun feature is the Children’s Spa (for ages 4 to 18), which offers kid-friendly pampering with natural, paraben-free products. Inside the buildings, expect 19th-century Louis XV and XVI décor throughout and paintings that are part of the Oetker’s private collection.

One of the highlights on property is the new Dior Spa Eden-Roc, where the treatment menu emphasizes both technology and touch. Guests can decompress (and depuff) after a long flight with three different full-body lymphatic drainage treatments—featuring infrared light and micro-vibration, along with other systems like electrostimulation and a Hydrafacial machine loaded with Dior’s Floral Peeling Lotion. Aside from the state-of-the-art wellness offerings, what sets Dior Spa Eden-Roc apart is in the details: treatment rooms are outfitted in the company’s signature textiles and four “Dioriginel” rituals are inspired by the hotel’s famed gardens.

Between the excellent tennis club, the beautiful Pavilion area, the spa and the many scenic villages nearby (including Juan-Les-Pins, Cannes, Grasse and Monaco), you could easily spend two weeks here. For those with less time to spare, a four-night stay is perfect.

Who Should Stay

Travelers looking for relaxation within a refined setting (a full-service resort by the sea). There are guests of all ages here: families with young or mature children, couples looking for romance and longtime devotees who visit the hotel every summer. You will not find a hip bar scene, but you’ll certainly be spending time in an unforgettable place.

Author

• Kathryn Nathanson