The Grand-Hotel of Cap-Ferrat, member of the "Leading Small Hotels of the World", is one of the benchmark palaces of international hotel industry. A mythical place where the lovers of delicate beauty and gastronomy, amateurs of sun, marine breeze and blue that continues as far as one can see, have been going since several centuries.
Therefore, 70 million Euros were invested for complete renovation of the Hotel, construction of La Résidence, a "nature's hotel", at two levels, integrated in the park, designed by the Architect Luc Svetchine. Therefore, a Spa was all that this jewel-box lacked, which has been done with inspiring and inspired 750 m2 decorated by Pierre-Yves Rochon like the rest of the hotel. Discovery…

Outdoor / indoor Spa
What makes the site of Grand-Hotel stand apart is the exceptional location; in the heart of a luxurious park full of flowers spread over 7 hectares, constructed on the top of Cap-Ferrat, overhanging on the Mediterranean. The nature is omnipresent on the site.  It inspired Pierre-Yves Rochon to create a sublimate Spa, a real sanctuary dedicated to relaxation, softness and absolute peace.
750 m², for an investment of 4 million Euros, consisting of six treatment rooms that have been furnished in a remarkable manner out of which two are reserved for face and body treatments and are completed by three rooms meant for balneotherapy. The garden of the Spa, too, is spread over 750 m² and looks over the sea and offers a refined area that has been constructed by Jean MUS for providing treatments harmoniously with the nature's vibrations. Adorned by terraces made of duckboards for sunbathing and relaxing before and after treatments.  It has five pavilions where the clients can enjoy treatments outside beneath warm rays and marine breeze in the intimacy of white cotton screens.  An open air gymnasium and fitness centre offer the possibility of exercising while enjoying the scenery of Mediterranean and the peace of the surrounding park.


The first word that comes to mind when one enters the Spa is "pristine". No excessive decoration, loud colours, from the reception desk onwards, one is drowned in a wave of freshness and delicate fragrance of candles of the brand of that place: Carita and Comfort Zone. The contemporary decorative elements have been made of natural materials.  Their sober colours highlight the peaceful atmosphere of the surroundings. The bamboo of floors, beige Persian marble and white linen are omnipresent here. The statues made of white marble and transparent crystal create a soft feeling of peace and the windows of the treatment rooms that overlook the garden helps maintain unity with nature, the central theme of the Spa. On the water-pleasure front, the Spa offers indoor pool that has a special "counter-current swimming" function and in addition, it proposes services of an instructor for aqua-fitness and aqua-jogging. Saunas and hammam for men and women, a sensory shower, a whirlpool bath and an ice-fountain complete the proposed equipments.
For sports enthusiasts, the indoor gymnasium is equipped with state-of-the-art Cardio Fitness Technogym equipment and qualified personal coaches train the users to help them meet their fitness aims. The Spa also has a treatment room for practicing Gyrotonics (unique in France), a method of physical training that integrates principles of Yoga, dance, gymnastics and Tai Chi in order to reinforce and improve the energy-flow in the body.
Finish the visit with the very beautiful Spa Suite named "Le Grand Salon", 65 m² dedicated to treatment for two that has a hammam and a sauna, a private sensory shower and two treatment tables as well as a big balneotherapy bath-tub. In addition to these infrastructures, there are also manicure and pedicure rooms, a hair-styling salon, an indoor relaxation room, a wonder of taste and excellence, and a tea-bar that proposes infusions and cold fruit juices. "The most important thing in this Spa, it's to continuously adapt ourselves to the client's need," states Hanneke Stoop, the Spa manager.

 
A large range of body and face treatments are proposed in partnership with Carita products (face treatments for men and women) and Comfort Zone products (body treatment). "We have chosen these brand names because they complement each other," states Michel Galopin Chairman and Managing Director of the site. "The Comfort Zone range has different skin treatment products that are very efficient, rooted in Mediterranean traditions and combining science and nature," he continues. "As far as the famous Carita face treatments are concerned, their anti-age expertise and their image of luxury and elegance corresponds to our clients and their requirements."
In addition, Carita has several treatments that are specially designed for Grand-Hotel, especially the "Balade provençale" (provincial walk), a customised face-treatment designed according to the client's skin-type in order to give it an unparalleled softness but also "Évasion au masculin" (Man's Escape), meant especially for men, or rather "Jardin des délices" (Garden of pleasures), emblematic treatment for face and body. As far as the Comfort Zone treatments are concerned, these have a variety of Mediterranean massages that include "Fraîcheur provençale" with essential oils of lavender, patchouli, cardamom and bergamot as well as "Promenade botanique" with oils of jasmine, mimosa, ylang-ylang and vanilla. Massages with hot stones, too, are available just like the treatments of hands and feet or rather the gummings and body-wraps conducted in the hammam.

WE TESTED Sacred Nature of Comfort Zone Inspired from the organic line that has Ecocert certificate, this anti-age treatment for body and face was launched last spring by the Italian brand.  It nourishes and protects the cellular DNA and is advised for all skin-types including the most delicate ones. Deeply nourished against the environmental aggressions and ageing, the skin appears softer and more radiant. And you are off for 90 minutes, 45 minutes for the face and same for the body. Stage 1, Face It all starts with the welcome ritual, a massage conducted with a few drops of Sacred Nature massage oil, an invitation to letting-go. Then the milk of the range is applied on the face for favouring elimination of impurities and thus improving the absorption of active ingredients while relaxing the face. Then follows the gumming preceded by application of hot towels for dilating the skin-pores softly. Then 10 minutes for putting the mask, instant glow is guaranteed! The face stage ends with the nourishing cream break that is massaged till it is completely absorbed. Stage 2: body. The beautician starts by applying the gumming on the whole body and then massaging a few minutes.  And then she eliminates the jojoba residues with a hot towel, a real cocoon! Then, it is really like Nirvana with a relaxing massage that leaves the body revitalised with a skin fit for Eve just going out of the Paradise! I especially liked the fragrances of the Sacred Nature range that bring in a real sensory sophistication that is still rare in the organic ranges. The textures are silky and sensual, a real holistic benchmark treatment for the Spa clients who are enthusiasts of "eco-lifestyle". It is like a real Spa beauty ritual, according to the rules of art with a before and after treatment that is managed artfully as the brand is well-versed in doing!

La Résidence, nature inspired
The Spa is part of the "La Résidence", the new extension in front of the sea of the Grand-Hotel of Cap-Ferrat drawn by the architect Luc Svetchine and decorated by Pierre-Yves Rochon. At the main entrance an underground passage that facilitates the access of the clients, who stay in the historical building, which will be lined with sprays of lavender to remind the Mediterranean spirit of the place. La Résidence has eight new suites each of which has a private pool and a terrace of 30m² that overlooks the sea and 16 luxury rooms with sea-view that, too, have a private terrace. The new sea-view suites of La Résidence, which have full-height windows that overlook the terrace and a private overflowing pool, are unique in France. The pure and modern lines of these pristine suites are adorned with paintings of contemporary artist Elisabeth Stein, reproductions of works of Matisse and unique furniture-items made of marble created by Pierre-Yves Rochon.
In addition to this exceptional, new wing, the historical building has several rooms that have been furnished. Transformed in bigger suites, from now on, these welcome their guests in an environment that is always more comfortable for long-term stays. "With this renovation, we offer a completely innovative product at all levels.  It is this that enables us to consolidate our position with our Russian, German, Swiss and Scandinavian clients while renewing the interest of our loyal American and British clientele," highlights Mr. Galopin. Thanks to this extension, now the hotel has 73 rooms including 24 suites.

"The Grand-Hotel of Cap-Ferrat has managed to cross ages while continuously remaining ahead of its time, offering state-of-the-art innovative services to its guests, since time immemorial, in one of the most luxurious frameworks," states Michel Galopin. With its re-inauguration, the philosophy that operates it remains unchanged: improving the offer for its clientele while maintaining its identity. "Thus, we had to adapt so that it can benefit from latest technology and contemporary amenities that are essential for the modern traveller," he concludes. Located in a timeless paradise, far from the daily turmoil of the modern world, this grand extension project pays its tribute to the old majesty of the Grand-Hotel of Cap Ferrat while marking the beginning of a new era. In a century, the international tourism has seen continuous development of fashions and trends. Grand-Hotel of Cap-Ferrat has managed to retain its old world charm. Even today, its aim remains unchanged: offer simple pleasures of a beauty that is undoubtedly unmatched and an experience of luxury and elegance that is incomparable in a rare and wonderful refuge, in a corner of paradise of Côte d'Azur.

The Spa is open everyday from 07:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m.; the treatments are available from 10:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m. in summers (May to September). In winter months (October to April), the Spa is open from 07:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m.; the treatments are available from 10:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. The Spa will remain closed in January and February 2010.
RATES: Treatments from 80 to 500 Euros. Memberships, from 3150 Euros a year.