Origins & Literary Legacy
In 1869, Villa Soleil was built by Hippolyte de Villemessant, founder of Le Figaro, as a haven for writers seeking peace and inspiration. By 1870, it opened, Napoleon III–style, as a retreat for figures like Jules Verne and Anatole France.
By 1889, under Italian hotelier Antoine Sella, it became the Grand Hôtel du Cap—gaining aristocratic appeal among British, Russian, and French elites, with modern comforts like central heating and an elevator added in 1903.
Eden-Roc Emerges
In 1914, the adjacent Eden-Roc pavilion was constructed—perched on the cliffs and featuring a seawater pool carved into the rock—creating a dramatic complement to the main hotel.
Literary Glamour & Artistic Guests
The 1920s cemented the hotel’s legend: F. Scott Fitzgerald fictionalized it as the Hotel des Étrangers in Tender Is the Night. Regular luminaries included Chagall, Picasso (who once doodled on a menu), Hemingway, Ezra Pound—and even Rita Hayworth, who met Prince Aly Khan in the hotel’s balmy corridors.
Wartime Reprieve & Postwar Revival
During WWII, the hotel was requisitioned as a military hospital. After the war, it returned to its former glory, becoming a haven once more for celebrities and royalty.
Oetker Restoration & Modern Grandeur
In 1969, Rudolf-August and Maja Oetker acquired the property, restoring and preserving its timeless elegance. By 1987 it officially became Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, under the stewardship of the Oetker Collection.
Extensive refurbishments from 2008 to 2015 (by Philippe Perd) blended modern comfort with period charm: frescoed dining halls, the Eden-Roc restaurant pavilion, antique trompe-l’œil murals by Pierre-Marie Rudelle, and suites that still whisper of Nouvelle Riviera glamour.
Cultural Icon & Contemporary Validation
Named one of the world’s finest hotels—including a place on the 2024 Condé Nast Gold List—Hôtel du Cap continues to define discreet Riviera elegance. Its Dior Spa is also acknowledged among the world’s top 100 spas: a modern chapter in its uninterrupted narrative of hospitality and refinement.
Architectural & Cultural Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1870 | Opened as Villa Soleil—a writers’ retreat by Villemessant |
| 1889 | Reopened as Grand Hôtel du Cap under Antoine Sella |
| 1914 | Eden-Roc pavilion and iconic seawater pool added |
| 1920s–30s | Literary salon for Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Picasso, Chagall, and more |
| WWII | Requisitioned as a military hospital |
| 1969 | Bought by Rudolf-August & Maja Oetker |
| 1987 | Officially rebranded Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc |
| 2008–15 | Major refurbishment preserving historical beauty with modern luxury |
| 2020s | Celebrated in Conde Nast and Vogue; Dior Spa earns top-100 recognition |
An Enduring Legacy
It is more than architecture or luxury—even more than celebrity. Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is a living archive. A place that has carried the Cote d’Azur’s literary, artistic, and aristocratic past into the present, without ever losing its composure.
From its granite-pierced saltwater pool to the whisper of pine shadows in its gardens, this Grand Dame still offers the same invitation Fitzgerald once felt: quiet radiance, framed in pink stucco and Mediterranean light.
Must-Know: Dining & Villas at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Dining
- Eden-Roc Grill
Perched above the Mediterranean with sweeping views of the Lérins Islands, this open-air pavilion is Riviera dining at its most cinematic. Fresh-caught fish, grilled lobster, and delicate seasonal produce are served under the shade of striped parasols. - Louroc Restaurant
The hotel’s Michelin-starred jewel, Louroc reimagines Mediterranean gastronomy with rarefied precision. Expect langoustine carpaccio, Provençal vegetables elevated into sculpture, and desserts that feel closer to haute couture than pastry. - Eden-Roc Lounge & Bar
An evening refuge where guests sip vintage champagne or a signature Eden Roc cocktail while watching the last light fall across the bay. It is part salon, part Riviera stage.
Villas
- Villa Les Cèdres
A 19th-century Belle Époque villa, surrounded by manicured gardens and private terraces. A sanctuary for guests desiring seclusion while remaining steps from the hotel’s main pavilions. - Villa Sainte-Anne
Set within its own pine-shaded grounds, this villa blends Côte d’Azur glamour with contemporary luxury: five bedrooms, private pool, and interiors where Riviera history meets modern design. - Villa Les Pins
A Mediterranean retreat enveloped by pines, perfect for families or intimate gatherings. Its terraces open directly onto the sea, dissolving the boundary between indoors and horizon.
If You Go: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
- Season
The hotel is open seasonally, typically from mid-April to late October, echoing the golden era of Riviera society. - Dress Code
Daytime is relaxed Riviera chic — linens, straw hats, soft tailoring. Evenings are elegantly formal: jackets for gentlemen, cocktail or evening wear for women. At Louroc, expect a quietly refined dress code in keeping with Michelin standards. - Reservations
Bookings are essential, often made a year in advance during high season, especially during the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix. Villas and signature suites should be secured even earlier. - How to Get There
The hotel is located on the Cap d’Antibes, a 30-minute drive from Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport. Private transfers and yacht arrivals are discreetly arranged by the concierge. - Rates
Rooms from approx. €1,200 per night in low season; villas and signature suites command considerably higher rates, befitting their privacy and provenance. - Website
http://www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/hotel-du-cap-eden-roc - Hotel du Cap in our Amazon.com store
- Books
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc: A Timeless Legend on the French Riviera
Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc: Cuisine & Cravings of the Stars
Poolside with Slim Aarons
My World of Interiors 
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