What’s the vibe?
At a hotel like the Maybourne Riviera, everything is easy. The striking, modernist architecture here is admittedly imposing, impossibly affixed as it is to a somewhat remote cliffside on the French Côte d’Azur – descriptions likening it to a Bond villain hideout aren’t entirely unjustified – but this is offset by plenty of light, and generous use of the hotel’s signature orange hue.
Pool at The Maybourne Riviera
The gorgeous, ever-present views of the Mediterranean certainly help, as does the impeccable, personable hospitality of the staff. The comfortable rooms offer views of yachts and jet skis in the far distance, appreciated equally from a balcony or bathtub. Even the gym looks tempting, out in the open air and with yet more striking vistas across the bay. Everything exudes a relaxing sense of lightness and ease, paired with the height of luxury.
But there’s been a lot of work behind the scenes since the doors opened in 2022, following six years of renovations. To begin with, the hotel – part of the same group as Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley – now closes during the off-season, as it’s not near enough to cities like Nice or Cannes to attract enough guests during those months. That gym, along with a spa, is brand new, and the food and drink offerings have undergone major changes since opening, too.
Lobby at The Maybourne Riviera
What to eat and drink?
One of the prime spots – and there are many – is the terrace of bar Le 300, taking in the panoramic views of the French coast, to the sound of live music from within. I’m here for the cocktails, but the latest menu acknowledges that not everyone might be.
A bar in a busy metropolis might establish itself as a destination for drinks and challenge its guests with obscure ingredients and cutting-edge techniques. But here, many just want to enjoy a familiar favourite classic. After some ambitious initial menus, the latest, entitled Identité, strikes a better balance. The team have identified the nine bestselling drinks from the past three years of the bar, and reinterpreted these in inventive yet approachable ways.
Le 300 Bar
Lemon Pie
Beyond Le 300, the Maybourne Riviera contains a number of bars and restaurants. This variety is necessary, Le Charpentier points out, given the hotel’s remoteness.
At the top of the hotel, chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has recently introduced his abc Kitchens Riviera concept, previously launched at The Emory in London. A different selection of spritzes, elegant in their simplicity, serve as an introduction to dinner at the Riviera Restaurant later, across from Le 300, where the view from the terrace looks out on Monaco.
The kitchen is now in the care of Sébastien Tantot, whose dishes are suitably light and fresh, with a local-first approach that echoes that of the bar. A starter of raw amberjack with white peaches from Provence and a main of steamed Mediterranean sea bass with truffle-scented pesto both reflect this beautifully.
Monaco begins to light up as the night approaches, the terrace is peaceful and far removed from the distant activity below. Up here, the Maybourne Riviera, very much in its infancy, has already used its brief time to adapt and evolve, catering better to its guests, and very much embodying its unique location through local flavours. The result is a wonderful sense of ease.
What to do?
Days here naturally gravitate towards the water. The hotel’s private La Môme Riviera beach club offers a more grounded counterpoint to the clifftop setting, with loungers, swimming and a full restaurant and bar setup that makes it easy to lose an entire afternoon by the sea.
Architecture at The Maybourne Riviera
Pool at The Maybourne Riviera
For those inclined to move, the surrounding landscape opens up quickly: hikes and cycling routes wind through the hills above the coast, while sailing and water sports bring you back down to it. The hotel can also arrange more ambitious outings, from paragliding to other active excursions, though these feel entirely optional rather than essential.
Otherwise, the Riviera sits within easy reach. Monaco is a short hop along the coast, while the nearby perched villages offer a slower pace – galleries, small shops and coastal walks – before returning to the quiet of the hotel.
Rooms from £698 per night; maybourne.com
