Hôtel Victoria ★★★★

“The world, they say, is a thought in the mind of God. When the Almighty imagined Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, He must have been joyous. Aware of this privilege, its inhabitants have apparently done their utmost not to spoil the harmony that marked its beginnings.”

These are the words used by Louis Nucéra, a celebrated French writer, to describe the charming Cote d’Azur village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Hyperbolic it may be, but it is easy to see where he was coming from. Against the backdrop of an endlessly blue Mediterranean horizon, with Monaco sparkling in the distance in one direction and Italy extending out in the other, the pretty village has spilled off the rocky peninsula on which it was built and spread around the adjacent bay, laid out like an amphitheatre looking longingly out to sea. The medieval quarter is perched up in the hills, a maze of narrow, winding passages set around a 10th century chateau-fortress, which seems to be hewn out of the rocks which surround it. Just to prove how ancient and authentic the old village is, it is supposedly home to the world’s oldest olive tree, said to date back well over a thousand years.

Down at sea level, the Cap Martin peninsula is now full of leafy gardens and glamorous villas, while the promenade along the bay is lined with palm trees, picturesque pebbly beaches and luxurious hotels. This is where you will find the Hotel Victoria, in an extremely privileged location just over the road from the beach. The setting makes for some incredible views, with the Italian hills off to the left and a beautiful Mediterranean horizon just opposite, punctuated only by a few fishing boats or fancy yachts bobbing gently on the calm water. Whether enjoyed from the comfort of your private balcony in the morning or with a drink on the terrace as the sun goes down, these views are sure to live long in the memory.

It would be unjust, however, to spend too long talking about the outside of the hotel when its newly revamped interior is so spectacular! The Hotel Victoria’s 1970s façade may be slightly uninspiring, but it conceals a real haven of art, design and creativity - incredibly stylish and anything but a generic French Riviera hotel. The inspiration comes from the plethora of esteemed designers, artists and architects who have passed through or lived in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and the surrounding area, including Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. The décor, featuring plenty of original artworks, lithographs, eye-catching patterns and unusual furnishings, is principally a tribute to two of them - Le Corbusier and Eileen Gray (two world-renowned architects who lived in the village itself).

Meanwhile, the colour scheme is simple but brilliantly effective. You almost feel as if you are inside a wave breaking lazily against the beach, because absolutely everything is bedecked in blue and white, from the outdoor terrace and breakfast room to the faultlessly equipped bedrooms and bathrooms. I say ‘faultlessly equipped’ because they really offer everything you need – a cosy bed, great modern amenities, plenty of space and, most importantly, private balconies overlooking the peaceful garden or dazzling seafront.

Comfort, style and an unbeatable setting: the Hotel Victoria truly covers all bases, making it a perfect spot to rest your head for the night. Even better, it continues to impress in the morning, as you take a seat in the dining room or on the terrace to enjoy a fresh, delicious and varied breakfast buffet, washed down with a strong coffee and their selection of fresh fruit juices. As for the days, it is up to you how you fill them, but whether they are spent shopping in the upmarket resorts along the Riviera, sunbathing on the idyllic beaches, getting in touch with nature in the Provencal countryside or soaking in some culture in the historic market towns nearby, they are sure to be every bit as memorable as the hotel itself!