La Réserve de Beaulieu ★★★★★

Kings and queens, princes and princesses, stately manors and royal palaces all have their stories, and the Réserve de Beaulieu is no exception. The story begins in its name: Beaulieu, meaning beautiful place. It owes its name to the sunny micro-climate of this area of the Côte d´Azur, where many European royals, from Russia to Italy, made their holiday home. Beaulieu´s first well-known success was the Réserve de Beaulieu. At this time it wasn´t the luxury hotel that it is today, but a restaurant. Restaurateur Pierre Lottier, picked out this location to cook up the best seafood along the coast, and the area in which collected his produce was named the Réserve. And this is how the hotel was born... the restaurant gained so much success, that ever since it had acquired the newest technology, the 19th century telephone, it didn’t stop ringing off the hook.

Today, the restaurant and the hotel that now surrounds it, has that same prestige. The original hotel was visited by nobility and now has been visited by actresses and celebrities whose portraits and signatures dot the walls. Over time it grew into the luxurious hotel that it is today, complete with a serene swimming pool, relaxing spa, a fashionable boutique and a three Michelin-starred restaurant. It was also awarded the prestigious French prize (Meilleur Ouvrier) for best craftsmanship in 2004; this is not just any hotel along the French Riviera.

From the minute our taxi drove through the gates and into the verdant splendour of the Réserve de Beaulieu driveway, we felt as if a regal crowns had been placed upon our heads; we were indeed about to be treated like royalty. We were received by smartly dressed staff in an entrance hall of elaborate wooden panelling and romantic candle-like lighting. We collected our keys, and were led through halls decorated with wooden and marble furnishings, and the aforementioned celebrity portraits. But it was of course, the room or rather suite, which was my favourite. More spacious than expected, the 55sqm, decorated in tones of beige, held space for a King size bed, comfortable armchair and sofa which made up the living space, grand furnishings and superb bathroom furnished in brilliant, shiny marble. The bathroom had everything we would need, a double sink, bath with a shower, bidet, range of toiletries and fluffy robes, towels and slippers of the Réserve. However, it was what was outside that most filled me with delight; the blue of the Mediterranean and the cloudless sky shone in different hues from a large, wide glass door that made way for our second floor balcony. We could see the white boats gathering in the Port du Plaisance and we knew that we were in the heart of a very special place, a very beautiful place, Beaulieu. Spotting the Bose stereo, I connected my iPod and selected some smooth jazz music, it was time to celebrate.

Our celebrations continued downstairs in the classically English style Gordon Bennett bar where we sipped champagne and nibbled on canapés, courtesy of VeryChic. The bar was named after the famous American publisher, a regular with the Réserve back when it first began. Our next stop was the Restaurant de Rois. A soft decor of beiges, a ceiling lined with chandeliers and a gorgeous sea view awaited us in the dining room. Excellent things come in threes... the three musketeers, the three wise kings, three course meals and this restaurant’s three Michelin stars. We found ourselves cradled in the hands of the much-admired Chef Yannick Franques, and fed by his delectable creations. There is a wide selection of dishes for each course, and eat mouthful will sit on your taste buds, which beg for the next bite.

After our meal, our legs cried out to be stretched, so we decided to take walk around the hotel. I inspected the various massages, treatment, hammam and cabins of the sizeable spa whilst my husband checked out the Rose Salon and Billiard Room. I was dreaming about the various treatments I might try during our stay here, whilst following my husband into the large English style salon. In one corner sat a stately, shining black grand piano, on the tables were chess and backgammon and all around were cosy sofas. The warm fireplace gave off a further inviting atmosphere and the big windows made the room feel even more spacious. They were still letting in surprising amount of light, considering the sun was setting. Upon realising this, we rushed to the outside of the hotel to check out the view. The stillness of the heated, sea-water pool reflected its surrounding beauty like a perfect mirror, as my husband and I gazed out over the terrace into the darkening sky. It would be soon be night time and who knew the delights that the Côte d’Azur would bring us tomorrow...