From the moment you pull up in front of the new Maybourne Riviera hotel, you know you have arrived somewhere very special. 20 minutes from Nice airport, you drop off the motorway onto the Grande Corniche, and 10 minutes later, as you approach a sharp bend in the road, you see this jewel on the French Riviera perched like an eagle’s nest on the edge of a cliff above the shimmering azure blue of the Mediterranean. It is amazing.. and it is jaw dropping gorgeous.
Seeing an Aston Martin parked alongside the Ferraris and Bentleys, I half expected to bump into James Bond at the reception desk. In fact it could easily be the lair of one of his adversaries seeking world domination.
This incredible piece of architecture is 1,500 feet above the sea, allowing you phenomenal views. The sparkling shards of glass from the Maybourne, sit up high on the edge of the precipitous cliff. The rest of the hotel is nestled into the rock.
It goes down and along the face of the cliff, designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte to be sympathetic to its surroundings. From the sea it looks like a quartz seam running through the cliff face.
Bonjour Boris!
Previously at the Connaught in London, Boris Messmer is the General Manager and has the creativity and energy to ensure The Maybourne Riviera’s place, as one of the greatest hotels in the world.
Maybourne | Art Collection
Staying at the Maybourne Riviera will change you way you look at art within a hotel. There are major works of art here, and it begins at you walk into the hotel lobby, and enveloped by a peaceful world of Zen-like contemporary luxury.
An overhanging, whacky, supersized sculpture by Louise Bourgeois of an entwined couple sets the scene and dominates the lobby. Look beyond the lobby for works of art from globally recognised artists. Corbusier, Eileen Gray, Conrad Shawcross & JR to name but a few.
Expansive but minimalist with a few Bibendum chairs scattered around and Le Corbusier lithographs who so loved this area. Step into the Brian O’Sullivan lifts and I defy you not to take the most flattering selfies. I was obsessed! I don’t as a rule do selfies, but I definitely did here!
Maybourne Riviera and a room with a view
All 69 rooms and suites have spectacular panoramic views. With two walls of floor to ceiling glass we had a view over the Mediterranean and East along the magnificent Riviera coastline towards Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Italy beyond.
The glass also allowed the magical light of the Riviera to flood in, making the room as lovely to be in during the day as it was when softly lit at the night. Every room has its own balcony, so sit out and soak up the sun and wonder at the view.
The rooms are elegant. Gorgeous woods and marble, but all very subtle. A very well stocked mini bar and a Nespresso machine (these small details always makes me happy).
The bathrooms are large and all have state-of-the-art Japanese loos with smart technology. The bed was heaven and the sheets sublime. You might want to order breakfast in the room as you won’t want to leave your bed… and because of all the glass you have a perfect sea view as you lie there!
As we only had a short stay we were keen to get out and about to discover what else the hotel had to offer. We spent nearly all our time by the pool, eating and drinking…
Dining at The Maybourne Riviera
Poolside mood
The infinity pool is to die for. We were out every morning first thing. Cleverly shaped to make it interesting but still allow you to swim a decent length.
The blue of the pool merges into the blue of the sea as you swim. The temperature was perfect. Just right to make it pleasantly refreshing rather than being soupy warm.
Below the pool you look out over the hotel’s garden of terraced olive and lemon trees.
Poolside
There is a beautiful eating area behind the pool which is open from 8am-8pm. Lovely for lunch or an early evening drink with tables a mixture of blues and orange. You are in your own little world, looking out over Monaco or the blissful views over the Mediterranean.
Try the truffle pizza from the wood-fired oven, or if you feel you need to show restraint, I can assure you the kale salad was exquisitely delicious (if that’s not an oxymoron!).
Main dining room
Italian-Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco, with three Michelin stars to his name down the road in Menton, oversees the cuisine.
We arrived just in time for lunch at the Riviera Restaurant which offers regional cuisine. I had the spaghetti au pistou, followed by the famous tarte Tropézienne revisited by pastry chef Benoît Dutreige. Both were absolutely delicious.
Blue and white details continually keep your eyes drifting to the horizon.
Ceto
If you are a real foodie, head to the top of the hotel to the sensational new Ceto restaurant. Everything about it is amazing, from the view, special crockery, unique glass work, and of course the food!
Inspired by Greek mythology and the water constellations of the sky, Mauro Colagreco looks to the traditions of the past while forging ahead, focusing on sustainable fishing in tune with nature. He has even built his own maturation chamber to mature the fish to precision.
Things to do beyond the hotel
It is very tempting to stay put but there is plenty to see and do. 10 minutes down the hill is the centre of Monaco and all the fun and games that has to offer, and once you have cashed in your chips you can be back to your quiet peaceful haven in a jiffy.
Even closer is Roquebrune-Cap-Martin with its 1,000-year-old olive tree and cabanon where Le Corbusier spent his summers. Very Spartan, but a must for any architect.
Another 10 minutes and you can be in Menton with its beautiful old town and exotic botanical garden. Head on into Italy and you can visit the famous Ventimiglia Market or San Remo.
Back in France visit Eze, a 14th Century village, considered the most beautiful in Alpes-Maritimes. Further afield you could have dinner at La Colombe d’Or in St Paul de Vence.
Maybourne Riviera | The final word
You run out of superlatives when describing the Maybourne Riviera. All I can say is that you need to go and experience it for yourself! The Maybourne Riviera is truly an iconic hotel and makes for a very special escape.
Maybourne Riviera website
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