Cap Estel ★★★★★

Nothing makes you feel like you're entering a resort suitable for the rich and famous quite like a grand entrance. We feel like James Bond and Brigitte Bardot as we zoom along the beautiful coastal roads which line the Riviera, eventually coming to a stop outside the secure walls and imposing gate of the Cap Estel. In we go, and we immediately find ourselves immersed in a peaceful world of nature and beauty, as a series of hairpin bends wind their way through the trees and carry us deeper and deeper into the private peninsula, eventually giving way to a stunning view over our elegant mansion and the shimmering Mediterranean waters beyond.

On the outside, the mansion before us is all immaculate stucco and gleaming white balustrades, and once we head inside we discover a haven of classical refinement, with polished marble floors, tall stone pillars, antique wooden furnishings and even the occasional grand piano. Our bedroom, however, is rather more simplistic. Resplendent in crisp whites and soothing pastel shades, the minimalistic design serves to enhance the breath-taking views from our balcony and the impossible blue of the Mediterranean (the advantage of staying on a peninsula is that we can glimpse the sea from every angle). Meanwhile, the bedroom and bathroom are both suitably luxurious for a building initially built as a holiday home for a Russian prince.

It would be a shame to linger too long though, so we don our swimming gear and head out to explore the pristine gardens, wandering past pristinely-manicured lawns, soothing fountains and in and out of the shade cast by tall palm trees. We wind up at the infinity pool perched invitingly on the cliff top. It isn’t quite high season but the salt-water pool and adjacent Jacuzzi are heated to a lovely temperature, so we take our time to enjoy a few leisurely lengths and gaze out longingly towards the endless horizon. Before heading back to our room, we take a short detour down towards the Cap Estel’s private pebbly beach. We don’t quite dare go for a swim, but we at least dip our toes in the gently lapping shallows and promise each other that we’ll come back some time in the height of summer.

Before we know it evening is falling on our first night, which can only mean one thing – time to try out the highly-esteemed restaurant, La Table de Patrick Raingeard. Monsieur Raingeard’s cuisine has earned him a Michelin star as well as the prestigious accolade of 3 ‘toques’ in the Gault et Millau guide, among other awards. And it doesn’t take us long to work out why! Fresh produce is hand-picked from the kitchen garden and put to use to conjure up dishes of sheer perfection, including two constantly-changing tasting menus. Each dish that is presented to us is so beautifully and imaginatively presented that it wouldn’t look out of place hanging on the walls of the Louvre. We almost feel guilty cutting into our food, but that feeling quickly dissipates as soon we taste our first mouthful and is replaced by one of pure epicurean indulgence.

After our multi-course culinary extravaganza, we vow to resist the temptation of over-indulging again at breakfast the following morning, so we simply treat ourselves to a long lie-in amidst the heavenly comfort of our cosy bed. To justify a return visit to the restaurant, we even go for a quick workout in the excellent fitness centre, before sinking into a blissful state of relaxation in the spa. We admire the sea views from within the sauna, before taking a leisurely dip in the indoor pool and trying out a couple of the treatments from the excellent range, all of which use bespoke Sothys cosmetic products.

Of course, we do not spend every day being completely lazy and self-indulgent – the French Riviera offers a wealth of gorgeous scenery, picturesque beaches and upmarket resorts, and we make sure to see as much of the area as possible. Monaco’s famous harbour and glamorous casino lie 15 minutes along the seafront, while Nice is just half an hour in the opposite direction. For something a little different, we visit pretty villages such as Èze and St Paul de Vence which have inspired countless artists over the centuries, before admiring the works of Renoir, Matisse, Picasso and co. at some of the region’s fantastic museums and galleries. From the landscapes to the towns, everything is so beautiful, shining and dazzling in the Cote d’Azur sunshine, although nowhere quite as brightly as the simply magnificent Cap Estel!