The 60th annual Cannes Film Festival kicked off yesterday and Variety reports that the rumors of the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc being turned into a private residence by next year are still rattling the Hollywood elite.
A few months back the NY Post reported that the hotel has been sold to Roman Abramovich who wanted to shut the hotel down and make it into a private spot. Even though a rep for the hotel emailed us at HotelChatter saying that rumors were not true, Variety says that Hollywood is still very concerned.
Fest vets were biting their lips on the Croisette Tuesday over the rumor that Abramovich plans to turn the landmark into a private residence....Certain hotels are important to for Cannes, but the du Cap is unique, the hotel of choice for many visiting VIPs, filmmakers and jury members, and has served as the site for exclusive parties and after-parties. Along with the Carlton and Majestic, the Hotel du Cap has become synonymous with the fest, and its closure would send folks scrambling for rooms, meeting places and party sites next year.
Again a rep for the hotel has denied a sale has taken place but we' ll see by next year won't we? We hope Sharon Stone can control herself 'til then.
Since we doubt you are looking to stay at a Cannes hotel this week, take a moment to peruse our French Riviera Hotel Reviews to give you some ideas for next year.
Yesterday, Cannes was abuzz with the news that by next year the popular The Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc would be turned into a private residence. However, the hotel's current owners say that's not so.
We got this email from Lou Hammond, who apparently represents the hotel's current owners saying,
The following statement relates to incorrect information on Page 6, New York Post on April 22 relating to the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc and as featured on your site.
Dr. h. c. August Oetker of the family owned Oetker-Group said today in respect to the rumors relating to the alleged sale of the Hotel du Cap Eden to Mr. Roman Abramovich:
"The Hotel du Cap Eden Roc is and remains an integral part of the Oetker-Group. There are neither negotiations nor any intentions to sell this hotel."
So there you have it. The Eden Roc ain't going nowhere. Better start saving up your cash again.
The Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc is a storied Cannes Film Festival hotel, known for its cash only policy and room rates that start at close to $800 a night.
But all that might be coming to an end soon. Page Six reports:
"Word is that a Russian oligarch has bought the Hotel du Cap-Eden Roc [in nearby Cap D'Antibes] and that he is closing all or part of it to use as his private residence," one major power player said.
Fortunately for celebs rolling into Cannes next month for the festival, the hotel will be open. But by next year it might be a different story.
The Cannes Film Festival is still a ways off (it starts on May 16) but a reader's recent tip about the French Riviera got us daydreaming about escaping to Cote d'Azure. This week we'll continue talking about some of the hotels worthy of checking into. As always, we wanna know what you think, not just what Uma, Rod Stewart, P.Diddy and Paris Hilton think, of the hotels here. So send us your thoughts and questions or comment below the story, telling us what's right, what's wrong and what's just French.
While a stay on the Cote d'Azur normally makes you think of luxury and elegance, you can always get something different by hitting the Hotel Hi in Nice. It's full of funky colors and weird shapes and has a 24-hour self service "restaurant" for guests who have to follow a few strange habits, like using the tea cup for a bowl. The 38 rooms follow nine different concepts, like a hot pink cyber-culture room and furniture that looks like computer screens.
Although a while ago we were worried that high concept would mean low service, recent guests all say the service is friendly and the staff are all flexible. And the high concept's proven popular too, like this guest thinks:
A really different in yer face hotel experience awaits but i have to say we really enjoyed our stay. The rooms are very eccentric,with no wardrobes and a bathroom separated by a few woven twigs, which took a bit of getting used to , me and my missus aren't shy but i wasn't that impressed with the toilet being so exposed.
Okay, so it ain't perfect, but it sure is different.
The Cannes Film Festival is still a ways off (it starts on May 16) but a reader's recent tip about the French Riviera got us daydreaming about escaping to Cote d'Azure. This week we'll continue talking about some of the hotels worthy of checking into. As always, we wanna know what you think, not just what Uma, Rod Stewart, P.Diddy and Paris Hilton think, of the hotels here. So send us your thoughts and questions or comment below the story, telling us what's right, what's wrong and what's just French.
The village of Eze might be small, but in the world of luxury hotels, big ain't necessarily beautiful. Eze sits on a rocky peak above Eze-sur-Mer, another village just a walk down a garden path below Eze itself, the two of them snuggled in between big guns Monaco and Nice. Obviously a stunning location, it's still a little surprising to find several luxury hotels in such a small village, but a HotelChatter reader's given us a rave about both Chateau de la Chevre d'Or and Cap Estel.
Cap Estel sits down below on its on peninsula, and it used to be the holiday home of a Russian prince. Now it's a deluxe hotel with 8 deluxe rooms and 12 self-contained suites, and it bills itself as one of the most prestigious venues on the Cote d'Azur.
Outside it has a heavenly infinity pool (although they call it a "seawater pool with overflow effect") and inside a fitness room overlooking the Mediterranean plus another pool. A major complaint of guests: it's hard to find it because it's so hidden and secluded; but once you get there, that becomes an advantage.
Head up the hill and the Chateau de la Chevre d'Or (meaning the Golden Goat!) provides rather impressive views in a building that used to be a medieval castle. A popular honeymooning spot, it also tries to attract "weekend breakers" and this summer's short break special includes 2 nights' accommodation, one lunch and one dinner plus breakfast each day and fitness club access, for 1476 Euro (almost $2000) per couple. But perhaps the secret sealing tip comes from our reader:
I believe the hotel car is a rare Rolls Royce Corniche (the 1 million dollar kind), of course particularly suited for driving along the Corniche that passes Eze (the car is always there, and ironically has the license plate 10000, I guess the other zeros to show the price tag didn't fit).
If the hotel can afford this Roller then you've got to expect a few niceties inside too.
The Cannes Film Festival is still a ways off (it starts on May 16) but a reader's recent tip about the French Riviera got us daydreaming about escaping to Cote d'Azure. This week we'll continue talking about some of the hotels worthy of checking into. As always, we wanna know what you think, not just what Uma, Rod Stewart, P.Diddy and Paris Hilton think, of the hotels here. So send us your thoughts and questions or comment below the story, telling us what's right, what's wrong and what's just French.
Depending on how good your French accent is, St Tropez's Hotel Le Yaca can sound anywhere between superbly romantic and, well, kind of working-class. Practice that accent if you can because a stay in Le Yaca is definitely worth it if you're hitting the "Riviera playground" of St Tropez.
Le Yaca has a star-studded history (like many spots along the Cote D'Azur)--it was once home to famous writer Collette, and even people like Greta Garbo and Clark Gable hung out there, and those "anyone who's anyones" still continue to drop by.
Dating from 1722, Le Yaca can be found in an older part of the village area of St Tropez, and while most of the 27 rooms look into the garden, some have a view over the bay--not a bad little view.
Previous guests sing its praises pretty unanimously:
Great hotel, amazing restaurant, awesome staff. I ve stayed in good ones but that one is very charming and special.
And on top of that:
This is one of the best hotels that we have ever stayed in from every perspective. Rooms, food, service, quality are exemplary.
Naturally enough the prices match but if you're spoiling yourself on the Riviera you're not really expecting to do it for nothing, right?
Another handy tip's just come out of the UK Times for those of you seeking a cosy and not-too-pricey place to stay on the Cote d'Azur. The Villa La Tour Hotel in Nice is a small 16-room place located a 10-minute walk from the sea and near the Cours Saleya flower markets. The building was originally a convent dating from the eighteenth century, but fortunately most of the rooms have been renovated recently (and certainly more than once since the convent days).
Recent guest feedback has the usual mix of "good value" and "too small"--but for the price, ranging from just $60 to $160 a night, you can't expect too much. A quick tip: Room 101 apparently has a grotty view of the laneway and some people complain about the lack of an elevator. Like the Hotel de Provence in Cannes, while the rooms are not so big, but it's homely:
Old travelling chests, art books, brown leather chaise longues and candles create a comfortably stylish welcome.
The Cannes Film Festival is still a ways off (it starts on May 16) but a reader's recent tip about the French Riviera got us daydreaming about escaping to Cote d'Azure. This week we'll be talking about some of the hotels worthy of checking into. As always, we wanna know what you think, not just what Uma, Rod Stewart, P.Diddy and Paris Hilton think, of the hotels here. So send us your thoughts and questions or comment below the story, telling us what's right, what's wrong and what's just French.
If Cannes is the place you just must be for your Riviera holiday, but you don't want to totally blow the budget, then the UK's Sunday Times tips the Hotel de Provence. It's right in the middle of Cannes and only a couple of blocks from the beach, but feels more like a garden than the oft-found conference-venue style block hotels. The owners, the Portiers, run just 30 rooms here, and that gives it the personal touch, according to the Times reviewer:
Simple touches such as linen tablecloths and fresh flowers in the rooms show that this is a labour of love, not just a business.
And while the rooms are a little small (that's the nice way of saying poky), the character and the location seem to make up for it. The big tip from previous guests is to request a room with a view or balcony over the garden (you can't get beach views thanks to the monstrous hotels built between Hotel de Provence and the coastline). Extremely reasonable rates start at just $100 for a double including breakfast--more at peak or with a terrace.
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by juliana
