Between Monaco and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, on the mountainous road twisting and turning 1,500 feet above sea level, the Maybourne Riviera stands proud. Its dazzling modern architecture sits on top of a rocky peninsula, floating between sun and sea like a magical castle in the sky! Welcome to this aerial paradise glowing with twinkly lights on the French Riviera.
The Maybourne brims with bright light of the Riviera
Stepping into this “castle-hotel”, perched a thousand feet over the Mediterranean Sea, you enter a palace of light. A space where design and decoration harmonize with sunlight, to create a haven of luxury, elegance and purity.
In the vast lobby, a colossal sculpture of an intertwined couple by Louise Bourgeois greets me, showing that The Maybourne Riviera is not a mere luxury hotel, but a passion project from its owner, a lover of contemporary art and architecture.
Exiting the elevator to my room, I stand, amazed, at the stunning view of the sea before me. My eyes slowly get accustomed to the light, and I admire the azure splendor of the sky, the outlines of the sky and Monaco and Menton far away on the horizon. Basking in all this light is so energizing!
In the uncluttered room (room sizes vary between 700 and 2000 square feet) every detail is carefully thought out, the color palette a delight for the eyes. The bathroom is an oasis of luxury: wide and comfy. The glazed balcony offers a 180° view of the spectacular landscape, from Menton to Monaco. Breathtaking!
From 8 floors above, I have a view of the outdoor pool – heated during winter – and of the Corniche Suites stretching along the mountainside. I get the irresistible urge to go for a swim, in-between sky and sea, but I am also tempted by the hotel’s indoor pool and the cutting-edge holistic spa, designed by Hong-Kong architect Andre Fu.
Heading for dinner, it’s hard to choose between all the gastronomic restaurants in the hotel. Riviera or Ceto? Tonight, let’s try the Riviera. I’ll check out Ceto, the other Michelin starred restaurant of the Maybourne Riviera, also Menton–based Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco, whose hol managed by Chef Mauro Colagreco.
In the dining room of the Riviera, space and light transcend all, with beautiful sun-soaked terraces and tastefully eccentric decoration. There is something to be said about their attention to details, the quality of the service and the typical southern France charm of the personnel, giving the Maybourne Riviera the special touch that makes it stand out from others luxury hotels on the French Riviera.
From Le Corbusier to Wilmotte, an extraordinary hotel
Everything in the Maybourne Riviera hotel is a testament to the architectural genius of Le Corbusier, Eileen Grey and, of course, the French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, who redesigned the buildings of the abandoned Vista Palace, star of luxury hotels in 1950s French Riviera.
When renovating the living areas, rooms, suites and even the exteriors, designers openly took inspiration from the architecture of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. This small town where Le Corbusier built his famous “cabanon” in 1952 is also home to Eileen Gray’s legendary Villa E-1027. These two icons of modernist architecture have made the Côte d’Azur a place for innovation, a far cry from the Belle Epoque villas erected by the rich elite of the old world.
Architecture aficionados will stop in the lobby of the Maybourne Riviera to admire a glass panel conceived by Le Corbusier himself. In the Riviera restaurant, a bas-relief carving references Villa E-1027. So many delicate details imagined by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, paying tribute to the masters that inspired his castle of glass and light.
5 reasons to choose the Maybourne Riviera Hotel
Starting 2024, The Maybourne Riviera will open year-round. My advice: spring is best, followed by fall and winter. Avoiding the high summer season, you’ll be able to bask peacefully in the sunlight of the Côte d’Azur and enjoy the luxury accommodations without the flow of tourists (Note that the beach club, Maybourne La Plage, opens in May and closes in September).
Here are my 5 reasons why you should pick The Maybourne Riviera for your trip to the French Riviera:
The spectacular room and suites, perched on the side of the mountain, with glazed balconies overlooking the azure sea. Pure happiness.
In the cosy rooms and suites, lovingly crafted details mean relaxation. Timeless and full of charm.
Impeccable, considerate service, with friendly-manner staff, always eager to help.
An exceptional offer of gastronomic restaurants, led by two legends of French cuisine: Mauro Colagreco and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
This feeling of being out of time, forgetting all worries in the soft light and pristine style of the hotel.
Ceto, a deep dive into the Mediterranean Sea
Located on the top floor of the Maybourne Riviera hotel, the Michelin-starred restaurant Ceto is the maritime haven of Chef Mauro Colagreco. The restaurant is named after an Ancient Greek sea goddess, daughter of the sun and the sky, and when stepping out on its magnificent terrace, it all makes sense. Sea and sky blend to create an ever-changing panorama, to the delight of the eyes.
The sea is present in all its forms in the menu of Ceto, which follows the natural cycles of the Mediterranean Sea. All its flavors are present: beans and red tuna salad, fish matured with Kombu seaweed, sea lettuce ravioli and a surprising dessert: Nori seaweed marine Millefeuille. To die for!
Special mention to the custom-made tableware, all following the maritime theme. Beautiful blown glass work, using seaweed and natural waste; plates by a Vallauris ceramicist; and all the incredible decor made of driftwood and fish bones. Everything around you is part of the tasting experience. The Michelin-star food is also marvelous, as can be expected from Mauro Colagreco and his kitchen brigade.
Maybourne La Plage, a confidential hotspot
Hidden away at the tip of Cap Martin, Maybourne La Plage sits right between France and Italy. Built on the side of the mountain, it evokes the Italian marvels of Positano and the Amalfi Coast, with large sun-soaked terraces. A few dozen cozy deckchairs face the Mediterranean Sea, for a chic, yet leisurely experience just a couple miles from The Maybourne Riviera hotel.
This ode to farniente will also delight gourmet travelers, with its own restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco. Dishes are meant to be shared, in a convivial, Mediterranean spirit: fresh fish of the day, burrata, pasta and tropézienne brioche.
My tip: try the skipper service at The Maybourne Riviera hotel, to arrive by boat and moor on the wooden pier. Live out your dolce vita dreams!
