The Cap Estel, Legendary Private Venue
The glamour history of a unique site
The Cap Estel owes its existence to Frank Harris' visionary lunacy, Oscar Wilde's friend and confidant, who in 1900 converted mere pigs pastures in a posh hotel for rich winter holiday-makers. Countess Mery Canorgue, after buying the bankrupt domain at an auction sale, provides the gardens of her new home - renamed Roc Sapphire - with unique specimens still there today, like huge araucaria and tulip trees. On the eve of World War I, it is acquired by a Frenchwoman, Rose Angeline Levieuze, Count Sergei's mistress, one of the last Stroganoff, whom she married several years later. André Embiricos, heir to one of the oldest families of Greek shipowners and racing driver, bought the Cap Estel in 1923 but it was not until 1951, after the occupation of the estate by the German army, that Robert Squarciafichi transformed again the estate to make of it, for half a century, one of the most famous establishment of the Riviera, a haven for billionaires. From the Emir of Oman to Georges Pompidou, who had habits like Greta Garbo in the private Pavilion, JF Kennedy's father and Sir Laurence Olivier, from the Beatles to Jacques Brel, David Niven, Anthony Quinn, The Begum Aga Khan, Rudolf Nureyev, Gina Lollobrigida, Catherine Deneuve, Robert de Niro, Bono and members of U2, the visitors' book recounts a chapter in the glitzy history of a carefree Côte d'Azur… Long remained in sleepiness since the death of its owner in 1993, subject to slow deterioration, the estate was purchased in 2000 by the family of its current owners who literally falls in love with it.
A complete metamorphosis of this sleeping gem is undertaken, in respect of the natural and historical richness of this residence, in order to get it into the twenty-first century era. After three years of work, a new structure emerges, where only the main classical Italian body, mixed with a touch of neo-classical with its traditional Greek Doric columns, was preserved. It was inaugurated on May 27, 2004. The refinement of Cap Estel interiors is the result of inventiveness and talent of a firm of interior designers in London. Each living space is marked by a generous view overlooking the sea and gardens, and makes a great use of light throughout the year, ensuring absolute clarity in all seasons. Quiet, elegant, luxurious atmosphere, but far from the rowdy character often ordinary on the Coast. Here mingle style desk and flat screens, delicate nuances or glamorous shades of suites, Hollywood dressing and delicate clothes, French billiards and Asian objet d'art, monumental bar and friendly dining room, cubic glass wine cellar and cozy lounge corners. Wise borrowing and contemporary style, or even unusual, are expressed with refinement, without being trapped in clichés.
The concept «New Hostelry»
Behind the tall mythic black-and-gold wrought-iron gate, at the end of a paved path fringed by lush gardens with Mediterranean species, the Cap Estel, if designed as a guest house of great prestige, far from the traditional codes of the luxury hotel, matches with the major changes of the time. Favoring the respect of privacy, it is meant to be a "private mansion", exclusive and personalized living environment combining requirement, discretion and conviviality. The service is perfectly attentive though utterly discreet and takes great care to watch after the slightest detail, therefore reaching perfection, which is the distinguishing feature of real luxury. All living spaces are artfully protecting each guest's privacy in a muffled atmosphere. A maximum of sixty people can be welcomed on stay on the 5,500 sqm site with 24/24 optimized safety. The Cap Estel exclusiveness lies in ancillary services, attention to detail without any extra proposed to guests of this island of serenity: private beach, swimming pools and sun-beds, sauna, steam room, fitness club with on demand particular coach, billiard room, piano bar.
The 28 rooms and suites shared about 4 sites of the estate testify to the excellence of the highest quality.
Le Parc: An irresistible holiday atmosphere for this wing surrounding the peninsula and housing two suites with relaxed decoration. A real balcony hung over the waves, with its patio in the shade of a centenary ficus.
La Corniche: Four suites including two duplex ones, in the former stables rehabilitated in a contemporary Italian-style pavilion opening onto the gardens, overlooking the site and the Mediterranean.
La Table de Patrick Raingeard honors majestic Cap Estel
During our stay in the magical place of Cap Estel, we have savored Michelin-starred chef Patrick Raingeard's delicious cuisine. Patrick Raingeard, Breton fallen in love with the Mediterranean, is one of the best in the region. In the spirit of a food stylist, he dresses each of his creations with fantastic color palettes to enhance the beautiful flavors of his dishes with a supplementary visual soul to achieve masterpieces. Formed in major houses: Lenotre, Ladurée in Paris, Dean, Alain Passard or La Mere Poulard in Mont Saint-Michel, Patrick Raingeard, rigorous and passionate chef, knows how to combine his cuisine with flavors from elsewhere, happy mix of travels, providing a contemporary vision of classics. Lovers of Mediterranean products, this ecology-minded chef is delighted to enjoy in all seasons the fresh organic products of a vegetable garden, out of which artichokes, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, radishes, heirloom vegetables and herbs embellish his compositions.
Among the specialties displayed à la carte, the chef concocted us an enchanting evening. To start this fabulous meal, a refreshing "amuse-bouche": "Cucumber Gazpacho and Lemon from Menton Emulsion" sipped with a straw, full of flavors, and a second appetizer consisting of "Scrambled egg, Vériaki salmon emulsion topped with a incomparably-scented carnation flower. Then came the real and perfumed flavors of a crisp "Bouquet of White and green asparagus as a duo, Menton lemon cream, Old Mimolette chips, Claikon slice and poet carnation flower and pink beet and lemon oil", served under a bell jar containing some vervain smoke, providing an ultimate original fragrance to this dish. After this "mise en bouche", we had the delicious "Creamy risotto, lobster aiguillette and its pincer cooked in squid ink, with a ball of ricotta ice cream with coriander, borage flower and coriander leaf" and the meat dish, the "Quasi of Limousin Veal, long cooked in tandoori, warm avocado guacamole, simmered multicolored Nice's hinterland carrots, borage flower, balm leaf green oil". After tasting the finesse of these delicious, frank flavors but combining into a perfect harmony, washed with a South of France wine, we were treated to a short break "before dessert" with a "Red fruit and white chocolate tiramisu".
Finally, being children again for the occasion, the sublime dessert came in front of our wide-opened eyes, all sweetness since it is named "Exotic sweetness with its chocolate, praline and hazelnut crumble, creamy passion fruit, thin sheet of dark chocolate, exotic sorbet (mango, banana, passion fruit and kiwi), diced exotic "confits"".
We especially honor the excellence in service orchestrated by restaurant manager Jean-Patrice Hoareau and the relevance of the wines strored in a superb cubic glass cellar. La Table of Patrick Raingeard promises to be a gastronomic success in a magical and exclusive place, far from coastal turmoils.
"La Table de Patrick Raingeard" also proposes an affordable gastronomy, in line with the new positioning of the Cap Estel, with the menu "en toute simplicité" presented at 39 € at lunch during the week.
Cap Estel: the renaissance of a legend
«A precious stone's throw away from Monaco, on a private two-hectares peninsula, languishes a jewel, left in a kiss by some inspired God, onto the setting of the Big Blue surrounding it.»
For its description, the Cap Estel, mansion of exception, calls the most lyrical words and the comparison with a patch of paradise comes at once to mind. Nestling in a lush, exceptional green setting, feet lapped by the Mediterranean and the head caressed by pines, the Cap Estel was born in 1900 out of pastures, transformed by a visionary, Frank Harris, author and journalist friend with Oscar Wilde, in a luxurious vacation home for wealthy clients, that over the decades, has become a legendary place by hosting the most famous people in this world.
Specifically dedicated to pampering, the Cap Estel, recently half-opened the mythic gate on its stunning five-acre park, peppered with ponds, fountains and terraced gardens with Mediterranean species. Going through this greenery oasis leads to a gorgeous Italian-style establishment surrounded by ancient trees, whose restaurant, "La Table de Patrick Raingeard", starred chef, gives this "hotel particulier" its gastronomic legitimacy, that is now shared for the pleasure of outside gourmets.
The Cap Estel is also offering access to its elegant spa with indoor heated pool, highly equipped gym, treatment rooms , sauna and steam room, relaxation room topped by an outdoor overflow pool suspended between the magnificent shades of blue of infinite sea and sky.
Spurred on by its new chief executive, Eric Paulus, General Manager, assisted by Elizabeth Moraglio, Operations Manager, a new era opens out for the highly prestigious "guest house".
We invite you to a journey in this dream estate, its gastronomic restaurant to experience its lifestyle and well-being.
La Mer: An invitation to travel for these cruise-liner cabin style suites, with balcony-railing overlooking the private beach. Something magical... the feeling of flirting with the waves and being cradled by the lapping of waves through the night.
Le Cap: Rooms and luxury suites from 50 to beyond 500 sqm on four levels. Le Cap pushes refinement and quality of services up to the extreme. Master bedrooms, dressing room, bathroom, private kitchens, living rooms opening on one level on the most beautiful terraces of the Riviera overlooking the Mediterranean to 180 °. All have a feel of private villas and surprises are endless.
The Cap Estel Well-being parentheses
Sanctuary of peace and gentleness, the Cap Estel offers the most unique experience: regain harmony of body and mind. Tribute to the sea, journey of the five senses in the gardens, spa dedicated to wellness, cocooning and individual coaching, everything is done to restore balance and vitality.
A light architecture, generous volumes with large openings lapped by the Mediterranean, the spa offers an indoor heated freshwater pool, a highly equipped gym run by a coach, treatment rooms complemented by elegant sauna, steam room and relaxation room. It combines technological mastery and traditional know-how: ultra complete equipment, cutting edge and energetic for cares based on the law of the five elements of Chinese medicine, in harmony with the energetic quality of the seasons. The establishment opts for Swiss products certified "Ecocert", a range concentrated in essential oils and natural and organic massage oils.
You can also access on booking to the "Welcome offer" including: a healthy a healthy lunch at “la Table de Patrick Raingeard” (without drinks) with free access to swimming pools (outdoor and indoor), fitness room, sauna, steam room plus 1 hour relaxing massage with essential at the spa.
