Tag Archives: Maybourne riviera

Family Life, Top 10, Travel

Welcome Back, Euro Summer 2026, Exciting News and Much More!

Monaco Sunrise. All photos courtesy of NHYM 2026. This post may contain affiliate links.

Welcome back from the Summer Holidays! I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer, be it exciting, restful or adventurous. Mine was very, very hectic, travelling to over 6 countries and 8 cities/towns/villages. It was a LOT. But hopefully one day – when I have recovered – I will remember these core memories and my children (now full blown teens) will remember these days with fondness and happiness. In the meantime, I am exhausted and keep flitting from post-holiday blues, to post-holiday exhilaration.

Roquebrune Cap Martin NHYM 2026

Firstly, let’s talk Euro Summer 2026, which I realise is a flex in the US, but really a necessity for us Euros. The sunsets and the light are just incredible, and frankly unmatchable. There’s a reason Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh, Fitzgerald and every other painter and writer came here for inspiration. It never ceases to inspire me and brings me back here year after year.

Cannes Sunset. NHYM 2026

A few friends have been asking about the Cannes/Cap D’Antibes/Juan area, which has had a serious revival recently: there have been so many new openings, it’s hard to keep track of them all, but it is one of the reason I love coming back. There are new restaurant and hotel openings every single year that I love to try out. Cannes has a new culinary scene with Zuma (yum), La Petite Maison (yum but expensive), Nammos (not yum, just expensive), and Il Grande (yum and expensive), and many new hotels have also popped up (see below, Mondrian, Belle Plages and more). It’s an exciting time, although I always recommend coming in May, June or September, outside of high season, which can really be unpleasant and ridiculously priced.

CANNES/CAP D’ANTIBES/MOUGINS HOTELS

Here’s a small list of hotel recommendations in the area, ranging from value-for-money hotels to boutique hotels, to ultra luxury hotels.

1.Three Stars Boutique: Hotel Le Sud, Antibes For a cozy, stylish, affordable boutique hotel in Antibes.

2. Four Stars Boutique: Hotel La Villa Cannes: Exceptional value and great location, if you want an affordable option in Cannes.

3. Four Stars: La Bastide de Mougins: For an inland, Provencal experience, it is 20 minutes from Cannes but 5 minutes away from the gorgeous medieval village of Mougins.

4. Five Stars Boutique: Hotel & Spa Belle Plage, Cannes My personal favourite, a stylish, design Cannes hotel with easy access to the beach and one of the best rooftops in Cannes. My hidden gem!

5. Five Stars: Le Mas Candille, Mougins: Also in Mougins, a new renovated provencal hotel with a Clarins spa and cool restaurants, it has already attracted George and Amal.

Zuma, Cannes. NHYM 2026

6. Five Stars/Boutique: Villa Mirae, Cap Antibes A new stylish boutique hotel in Cap D’antibes, it is a stone’s throw away from La Garoupe Beach. Plage Keller is currently closed and under refurbishment. Another gem that bites the dust…

7. Five Stars: Les Belles Rives, Cap D’Antibes: F Scott Fitzgerald’s old seaside retreat needs to feature in this list, but make sure you get a seaview – do NOT under any circumstance get a road view, as its pretty unattractive and therefore just not worth it. The restaurant by the beach is really wonderful, but keep in mind that even hotel guests have to pay for beach chairs so it is not a cheap option. It has old school furniture and decor, but that is part of its historic appeal.

8. Five Stars: Mondrian, Cannes: A new design hotel in the middle of Cannes, for the design conscious and a fresh Japanese restaurant, Nakomoto. Great seaviews.

9. Five Stars: Martinez Cannes For a Cannes stalwart, the Martinez has a great pool, but watch out for the pool hours for the kids. Seaview & Private beach.

10. Five Stars Boutique: Five Seas, Cannes This one was recommended to me by a Danish family that comes back year after year. It’s a smaller boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and part of the same hotel family as the Villa Mirae.

11. Luxury: Carlton, Cannes Recently refurbished and renovated, it aims to return to its former glory under the Regent brand, under the IHG umbrella. For those who want ultra luxury in the middle of Cannes. The Michelin star restaurant is worth it.

12. Ultra Luxury: Hotel du Cap Eden Roc Another favourite of mine, the Hotel du Cap is arguably one of the best hotels in France, which hosts everyone during the Cannes Film Festival and the Amfar gala. You have to book months (years) in advance, and even then, be careful not to get a ground floor, damp room, which friends have had to deal with. The ultimate Grande Dame of the Cote D’azur, it has everything you could ever ask for.

Other wonderful new hotels outside this area are Le Chateau de Theoule, Hotel du Couvent in Nice (one of my favourites), and Maybourne Riviera (Amazing Architecture and Views of Monaco) and Les Roches Rouges , which I will be reviewing very soon!

Bay of Cannes NHYM 2026

The downside to this new-found popularity is that many of my ‘hidden gems,’ are no longer hidden, which has had pretty unwelcome consequences. La Guerite, which used to be one of my favourite places to go to along the French Riviera, and where I had my 40th birthday party, has literally been ruined by Influencers. I have been going for the past 13 years, but unfortunately its success has changed it: gone are the spontaneous days where Elton John and Usher would literally stand up to sing in front of the Geurite crowds. Last year, Jeff Bezos and Lebron James were caught having a (metaphorical) fight there, and this year, it was full of influencers, attracted to the F1 drivers (not that I mind) and footballers (Mbape and Haaland) that all partied there this year. Previously, it was a hidden European gem, now social media has brought (so many) American influencers, Saudis and everyone and their mother (including mine, who loved dancing to ABBA).

La Guerite NHYM 2026

Another hidden gem not far from St Tropez has been run over by the Notting Hill crowd (I won’t mention where, else I will get boycotted). I couldn’t believe how many Londoners I ran into. It’s fine if you want to run into everyone you know, but for those who are looking to disconnect and relax, well it was impossible.

Vista Restaurant at Lily of the Valley. NHYM 2026

Finally, there are those places that have become astronomically expensive due to their fame: Chateau de La Messardiere, once one of my favourite hotels, has become completely out of reach since its White Lotus fame and its renovation by Les Airelles. Ditto La Guerite. Now, it has literally become the most expensive Beach Club in the world, where spending 500K in one afternoon is a sign of having ‘made it.’ I spoke to one of the staff I knew and asked what they thought of the change, (we silently agreed that it had changed so much), and his answer was that ‘it still remained full of love and fun.’ I would agree with that, I just felt like it completely lost its exclusivity and elegance. They added more tables this year and made it bigger than ever.

NHYM 2026

Each time a hidden gem has been found, I move on to the next, but this time, sorry guys I won’t tell you where my latest hidden gems are, I want to keep them hidden a little longer for myself and my friends….

My new hidden gem NHYM 2026

Well, this one isn’t that hidden: a very famous American Politician and Presidential candidate was having lunch next to us.

Another Hidden Gem NHYM 2026

Also, I have a lot of new collaborations to announce, from luxury luggage label, Level 8, to a really cool hotel, Les Roches Rouges, which I will be reviewing as an official travel writer. In addition, I have some exciting news that I will be sharing in the next few months, which has been in the making for the past 10 years. I will keep building the anticipation until it is time. Keep a lookout for updates!

Sunset Monaco NHYM 2026

Finally, for those who, like me, start planning their next holiday as soon as their last holiday finishes, you can get some inspiration from my last few posts:

In the meantime, good luck for the back – to – school mania!
xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

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Food & Dining, Top 10, Travel

The White Lotus Effect: Top 10 Best Luxury Hotels in the South of France

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE WITH EXPEDIA.CO.UK

It’s official! The White Lotus Season 4 is coming to France! So, if you’re like me and you are both a White Lotus fan and a South of France fan, we are all hoping it will be in the South of France!

The French Riviera is experiencing a full on revival post-pandemic with a slew of luxurious 5 star hotel and restaurant openings; many hotels have had facelifts and new restaurant openings have us salivating… Zuma and La Petite Maison in Cannes are putting it firmly on the map of jet-setters and Luigi’s, Bella and Salama brings a younger, more party vibe to Cannes. Hotels are upping their game to compete with Ibiza, Mykonos and Sardinia, and I have to admit, they are succeeding. Now that we know Season 4 of the White Lotus is taking place in France, I am obviously hoping it will be in the South of France. Here are my 10 Top ultra luxurious hotels in the South of France:

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Photo courtesy of the internet

1. Hotel du Cap Eden Roc:

Best for: the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime luxurious hotel and to rub shoulders with superstars.

The Grande Dame of all the hotels in the South of France, none can really compare with the Hotel du Cap, Eden Roc. Always a favourite for celebs during the Cannes Film Festival and loved by Americans, this stalwart has never lost its appeal but now has added a lovely new restaurant to keep up with the times: Giovanni’s is a charming Italian under a pergola with a perfect Mediterranean backdrop, exclusively for guests

Provided by michelin.com

Photo courtesy of the internet

2. Chateau de La Messardiere:

Best for: The ultimate luxury family holiday in Saint Tropez

Chateau de La Messardiere has definitely upped its game with its recent multi-million pound renovation making it an impossible-to-book hotel in St Tropez right now. It gets so many things right, it’s hard to find any faults. The lunch buffet is positively extravagant and delicious, the new kids club has its own bastide and private pool, and the hotel’s private beach club, Jardin Tropezina, is one of my favourites (the shuttle service is priceless). And let’s not forget Matsuhisa, the Japanese restaurant, has one of the best views in St Tropez. If you can afford it, it’s so good, you’ll never need to leave. It will soon become your kids’ favourite hotel too, and yours as well.

BOOK CHATEAU DE LA MESSARDIERE HERE

The Maybourne Riviera | Fine Hotels + Resorts | Amex Travel KR

Photo courtesy of the internet

3. The Maybourne Riviera:

Best For: Modern design for architecture aficionados

This hotel’s vertiginous views over Monaco are as stunning as the hotel itself; its clean, sleek, modern lines are for those who love a design hotel, but with top hospitality service to match it (it is part of the same hotel group as the Dorchester and the Berkeley). It is literally build in the rocks over Monaco and is an architectural masterpiece. It has quickly climbed the ranks as one of the top hotels in France.

BOOK THE MAYBOURNE RIVIERA HERE

Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

4. Lily of the Valley:

Best for: Wellness holiday without starving

This new(ish) hotel designed by Philip Stark is not only aesthetically beautiful on a gorgeous spot along the coast, it also offers a weekly schedule of wellness activities from yoga, to hikes, to bike rides. Not only that, but you don’t need to starve and can eat a real steak for dinner! The bar next to the restaurant is one of the highlights with roaming musicians who will sing whatever song you ask them. Perfect for a couple’s weekend wellness retreat.

BOOK LILY OF THE VALLEY HERE

Photo courtesy of NHYM. 2025

5. Chateau Chevre d’Or:

Best for: Romance

This boutique hotel in Eze remains one of my all time favourites with the best views of the Cote d’Azur. The terrace lunch is divine, so even if you can’t stay, it’s worth the detour. The best place for young and old love. The winding medieval streets of Eze just adds to the romance; a perfect place for an engagement or honeymoon.

BOOK CHATEAU CHEVRE D’OR, EZE HERE

Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

6. Hotel du Couvent:

Best for: Historical hotel with minimalist interiors

Only just opened in 2024, it has started making Nice cool again. It is a beautiful hotel in an old convent with its own bakery and daily bread, a welcoming terrace to while the nights and days away. The decor is are bare and peaceful, it was a convent after all, but somehow manages to stay warm and inviting. The outdoor terrace in the courtyard is fantastic for a pre-dinner drink, and its private terraced swimming pools feels like Nice’s best kept secret. One to check out if in Nice!

BOOK HOTEL DU COUVENT HERE

Photo courtesy of the internet

7. Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel:

Best For: Four Seasons Service

This is where the White Lotus Season 4 will likely take place, and I can assure you that the people-watching is better than the show. The management was taken over by the Four Seasons about 10 years ago, to match the sophistication of the hotel guests. Like all Four Seasons, it opened a fab kids club and offers swimming lessons in its pool. Great for families wanting a base in the South of France with all the Four Season trappings. I can’t wait for it to feature in The White Lotus Season 4!

BOOK GRAND HOTEL DU CAP FERRAT HERE

Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

8. Les Roches Rouges:

For a boutique hotel experience with much more reasonable prices than the above properties, Les Roches Rouges opened a few years ago. It already has a Michelin star restaurant and a very cool pool dug into the rocks. It’s young and trendy against the Grandes Dames hotels above. For the design, cool crowd in media, the arts and tech. This year, they have added brand new rooms designed by ASL Architects.

BOOK HOTEL LES ROCHES ROUGES HERE

Hôtel & Spa Belle Plage ★★★★★, Cannes - VeryChic

Photo courtesy of the internet

9. Hotel Belle Plage, Cannes:

Best for: A young, trendy vibe in Cannes without breaking the bank.

This new, well designed hotel in Cannes is a winner with its sea views, great spa, a rooftop restaurant by Eyal Shani and rooms designed by Raphael Navot. Bella, the rooftop restaurant, has a delicious Mediterranean menu with fresh fish and meats on the menu. With reasonable prices, it is a great choice for a style conscious crowd in Cannes.

BOOK HOTEL BELLE PLAGE HERE

Photo courtesy of the internet

Regent Hotels & Resorts

InterContinental Carlton Cannes, in Cannes (French Riviera), 5 stars ...

10. The Carlton, A Regent Hotel, Cannes

Best for: The ultimate Cannes Experience

For one of the oldest ‘Grande Dame’ hotels in the South of France, the Carton Cannes still reigns supreme. Just recently given a two year facelift, it still attracts the rich and famous during the Cannes Film Festival and houses all the top supremos during all the conference weeks in Cannes. A word of advice: don’t go in August, but at any other time of year, try it out. It oozes history with Obama and Hitchcock connections and its inner courtyard is a secret garden to give you a break from the busy Croisette.

BOOK THE CARLTON, CANNES HERE

This list was very difficult to compile with plenty of charming, updated hotels and new openings like Le Chateau de Theoule, the Mondrian in Cannes, Le Mas de Candille, Anantara Plaza Nice, and La Reserve de Ramatuelle, but these top 10 are ones that bring something slightly different to the others along the coast and are changing the face of the French Riviera.

What are you waiting for? Go and enjoy before The White Lotus fans take over!

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

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