VISIT - CAP D'ANTIBES BEACH HOTEL, BETWEEN GEOMETRIC ARCHITECTURE AND SIMPLICITY (France)
In this hotel, which will be completely renovated in 2023, guests can enjoy a setting that has been awarded the Prix Versailles and authentic hospitality, as embodied by general manager Franck Farneti. |
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VISIT - CAP D'ANTIBES BEACH HOTEL, BETWEEN GEOMETRIC ARCHITECTURE AND SIMPLICITY (France)
In this hotel, which will be completely renovated in 2023, guests can enjoy a setting that has been awarded the Prix Versailles and authentic hospitality, as embodied by general manager Franck Farneti. |
Category: Europe - France - Industry economy
vRenovation / Addition
Article written by Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine on 2024-10-07
 he Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel is the gateway to Cap d'Antibes and its turquoise waters
Photo credit © Early Online
It's in this exceptional setting that the Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel stands, offering a unique experience where nature, luxury, and serenity meet. A true gateway to Cap d'Antibes, the hotel is nestled between the Gallice and Crouton ports.
Bold architecture wins Prix Versailles
The hotel was recently voted one of the most beautiful in the world by the prestigious Prix Versailles. The award, which recognizes architectural excellence, celebrates the bold renovation work carried out in 2023 by architect Bernard Dubois. The Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel is an exceptional place where modernist architecture meets the wild beauty of the Cap d'Antibes. Its geometric lines and luminous rendering blend perfectly into the Mediterranean landscape. This project marks a new era for this Relais & Châteaux property owned by Chapitre Six (formerly Adresses Hotels), the Nicolas Saltiel collection.
Redecorated with remarkable attention to detail, the hotel skilfully blends Californian and Mediterranean influences, while remaining deeply rooted in local history. The original structure, designed by Gérard Vollenweider, has been revisited in a minimalist and elegant spirit, while the interior, sublimated by the work of Bernard Dubois, reflects a refined style, enhanced by touches of contemporary art. In the intimate lobby, works by masters such as Hockney, Matisse, Le Corbusier and Joan Mitchell are displayed alongside sculptures by Richard Serra, projecting a contemplative mood from the moment guests arrive. The lobby is a warm space, where the Lucerne stone used for the flooring lends a mineral sobriety, counterbalanced by softly hued armchairs, smiling receptionists and the master of the house, “Benimousse”, the fighting fish in his little underwater suite, who captivates young and old alike.
Under the supervision of Nicolas Saltiel and Franck Farneti, its emblematic general manager for over twenty years, the Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel has reinvented its identity while preserving its original essence. The property boasts 35 rooms and suites, all carefully redesigned, with breathtaking views over the bay or immersed in Mediterranean vegetation. Details such as the choice of air-conditioning or natural ventilation in the rooms testify to a concern for comfort and sustainability. But the Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel experience is not limited to the comfort of these rooms, 34 of which feature connected airlocks to accommodate families and offer greater privacy. The garden, redesigned by landscape architect Arnaud Casaus, blends perfectly with the property's sustainable design. The Mediterranean vegetation, deliberately wild and abundant, creates a subtle contrast with the sober architecture, while offering guests a haven of peace. Wooden massage cabins, open-air yoga classes and a kids club for children aged 4 to 12 are available, bringing a family dimension to this exceptional place.
Gastronomy and sharing at the heart of the experience
Here, the privileged relationship with guests, so dear to the Relais & Châteaux tradition, is king, and the general manager of the hotel is no exception. A connoisseur and lover of the region, he is available at all times and in all areas, generously sharing tips on Antibes' best addresses, must-sees and best-kept secrets of the French Riviera and its hinterland. This personal bond with guests, reinforced by a multi-skilled team of 140 employees, helps to create a friendly, family atmosphere.
The Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel was already a renowned address for gourmets, but its gastronomic offering has not escaped change. Chef Nicolas Rondelli has teamed up with Assaf Granit to renew his culinary offering. Les Pêcheurs, the historic restaurant that existed even before the hotel was created in 2009, is still a Michelin-starred restaurant and has retained its traditional codes. Ultra-local seafood (sourced by Tony, a fisherman from the nearby port of Les Croutons) is served in a setting reminiscent of the interior of a luxury yacht. Once frequented by Brigitte Bardot and Johnny Hallyday, Les Pêcheurs faced the challenge of perpetuating an evolving gastronomic tradition without losing its soul.
While the Michelin-starred restaurant has kept its DNA, Baba, the beach restaurant opening in 2023, offers a wholly new environment. In a Californian-inspired setting, where the color pink has become a hallmark of the property, the emphasis is on Mediterranean cuisine with Levantine influences. Baba has quickly established itself as the Côte d'Azur table for gourmandise and sharing, facing the sublime sunrises and sunsets that turn the Estérel massif, which faces this magical place, red. The scenography is created by the teams, who create an extraordinary closeness with their guests. Here, waiters can sit on diners' armrests, offering dishes that are each sunnier than the last. The line between conviviality and familiarity is not crossed, however, as the teams are trained to adapt to each individuality. The adjoining bar, also designed in the Californian spirit, offers sophisticated yet refreshing cocktails.
Between the spirit of relaxation and the luxury of design, the Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel has taken up the challenge of entering a new era. From the works of art in the lobby to the pink hues that sublimate the landscape at sunset, this hotel offers total immersion in the charm and elegance of Cap d'Antibes, while harmoniously integrating modernity and nature.
 As soon as you enter the building, you are immersed in a setting of geometric lines
Photo credit © Giulio Ghirardi
 Every element of the décor is conducive to contemplation, especially the works of art in the lobby
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine
 Some of the 35 rooms and suites offer breathtaking views of the bay
Photo credit © Stephan Julliard
 The view from these rooms stretches from Cap d'Antibes to the Estérel massif
Photo credit © Stephan Julliard
 Reminders of pink are everywhere, including in bathroom marble
Photo credit © Giulio Ghirardi
 The choice of vegetation has been carefully considered to create a perfect harmony with the modernist architecture
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine
 The emblematic black pool was preserved during construction
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine
 he Baba bar has become a nerve center of the hotel
Photo credit © @JulieCharvin, @CdeSaint-Exupéry, @ACouroyer
 At Baba, guests are invited to share Levantine-inspired dishes
Photo credit © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine
 At Les Pêcheurs, the experience remains starry-eyed and focused on seafood
Photo credit © Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel
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