Cap Estel is a Selected hotel located in Eze, France. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does Cap Estel have?

Cap Estel has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is Cap Estel located?

Cap Estel is located in Eze, France, in the Europe region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book Cap Estel?

You can view more details and booking information for Cap Estel through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

Cap Estel | Selected in Eze, France

Name: Cap Estel
Address: Eze, Europe, France
Rating: 4.5

Key Highlights

✓Guests consistently highlight several exceptional features that set Cap Estel apart:

Expert Review: Cap Estel

Cap Estel, nestled on a secluded five-acre private peninsula in Eze, France, stands as a beacon of luxury and discretion on the Côte d'Azur. This Michelin Key Selected property consistently garners praise for its breathtaking location, impeccable service, and serene ambiance, making it a highly sought-after retreat for discerning travelers.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Cap Estel enjoys an overwhelmingly positive reputation, frequently described with terms like "perfection," "incredible," and "super elegant and beautiful." Guests often laud it as "one of the best hotels in the world." On review platforms, it typically scores highly, with an average of 9.3 out of 10 for "Wonderful" or "Superb" ratings, reflecting exceptional satisfaction across various categories including location, cleanliness, comfort, and staff performance.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several exceptional features that set Cap Estel apart:

Location & Views: Its unparalleled setting on a private peninsula offers panoramic, uninterrupted Mediterranean sea views from almost every vantage point, providing a profound sense of peace and seclusion.
Service: The staff's professionalism, friendliness, and dedication to personalized service are frequently commended, with many feeling "pampered" and noting that the service goes "above and beyond."
Amenities: The hotel boasts impressive facilities including both indoor and outdoor swimming pools (including a heated seawater infinity pool), a private beach, a serene spa by Sothys, a fitness center, and beautiful terraced gardens.
Design & Ambiance: The property blends period charm from its 19th-century origins with modern boutique elements, creating an elegant and refined atmosphere. The exclusivity and privacy are paramount, making it feel like a private mansion.

3. Room Quality

Cap Estel offers 28 individually designed rooms and suites, spread across various buildings including the Manor House, La Mer, Les Jardins, and Le Parc. Rooms typically feature refined and classically elegant decor, often with fresh, predominantly white palettes accented by vibrant pops of color like purple or blue. Many rooms are perched directly into the rock face, ensuring superb sea views, and almost all include private terraces or balconies. Standard amenities across rooms and suites include air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, a mini-bar with complimentary soft drinks, and Nespresso coffee machines. While most reviews praise the luxurious and comfortable accommodations, one recent guest noted that some bathrooms might benefit from a refresh, exhibiting older fixtures from the early 2000s, and mentioned an older AC unit that struggled to adequately cool their room.

4. Dining Experience

Cap Estel offers a distinguished culinary experience with two primary dining venues:

La Table du Cap Estel: This fine-dining restaurant, located within the majestic Manor House, is led by Chef Kévin Garcia. Inspired by the Mediterranean and the estate's aromatic garden, the cuisine is precise and emotional, celebrating local flavors in an elegant setting of marble and sweeping sea views. It holds a Michelin Key selection and offers tasting menus, with the option to dine on a terrace overlooking the sea during summer evenings.
Le Ficus: Situated by the poolside in the lush gardens, Le Ficus offers a more relaxed and convivial atmosphere. Chef Garcia presents generous, spontaneous Mediterranean cuisine, focusing on sharing plates, wood-fired grills, and fresh salads, available from May to September. Breakfast is included for guests. While most feedback on dining is positive, one review mentioned that both breakfast and Le Ficus were "underwhelming" compared to experiences at other high-end hotels.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Cap Estel is consistently lauded as a major highlight. Guests describe the staff as "friendly, professional, and helpful," with many feeling genuinely pampered. The team goes to great lengths to provide a personalized experience, including a comprehensive guided tour of the property and suite upon arrival, fostering a "family spirit" that makes guests feel at home. The multilingual staff, fluent in French, English, Italian, and Russian, ensures seamless communication for international visitors. Services like concierge assistance, car rental, and arrangements for luxury transfers (e.g., helicopter, boat) are readily available to enhance the guest experience.

6. Location & Accessibility

Cap Estel is uniquely situated on a two-hectare private peninsula in Eze-Bord-de-Mer, offering unparalleled seclusion and dramatic views of the Mediterranean. This "island of serenity" is strategically positioned on the Côte d'Azur, approximately 9.3 miles (15 km) from Nice and 4.3 miles (7 km) from Monaco, making it convenient for exploring nearby attractions while retaining a private ambiance. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is about a 30-minute drive away. While the charming hilltop village of Eze is only about 4.3 miles (7 km) away, the walk can be steep, so transportation by car is often preferred. The hotel emphasizes that there is little need to leave the property, given its extensive amenities and private setting.

7. Value & Pricing

As a five-star Michelin Key Selected luxury property, Cap Estel commands premium pricing. Standard rooms typically range from approximately $1,367 to $1,675 USD per night, while suites can range from $1,932 to $7,531 USD, with prices varying significantly by season. The month of April is noted as the cheapest, with July being the most expensive. While the "value for money" score is generally good (8.4 out of 10), some guests, particularly those accustomed to top-tier luxury, have noted that for prices around $2,000 per night, certain aspects like older room features and particular dining experiences might not fully meet expectations.

8. Common Complaints

Despite its overwhelming praise, a few recurring criticisms or issues have been noted:

Room Condition: A recent guest reported that some bathrooms felt dated with early 2000s fixtures, and older air conditioning units struggled to keep the room sufficiently cool.
Dining Consistency: While La Table du Cap Estel receives high acclaim, one guest found the breakfast and the more casual Le Ficus restaurant "underwhelming" when compared to other luxury hotels.
Check-out Process: A single review mentioned a slow and inefficient check-out process due to insufficient staff.
WiFi Performance: The free WiFi received a slightly lower rating of 7.5 out of 10 compared to other categories.
Seasonal Closure: The hotel is notably closed for most of August for the owner's private use.