Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel

The Cote d’Azur positively teems with the rich and famous, and groans under the weight of serious amounts of cash. Those wishing to mingle with the beautiful people will no doubt find the Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat to be isolated perfection; however it’s clearly not for those traveling on a strict budget. A year away from its centennial anniversary, the Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat makes no secret of its illustrious guest list — statesmen, aristocrats, captains of industry, pop stars — but even if you’re not worthy of having your photo hung in the Grand’s bar, the staff will treat you as if you were. Combine this with the effortless style of the building, the stunning natural surroundings, first-class food and general air of sophistication, and guests will feel like royalty regardless of their ancestry. Naturally, each of the rooms and suites is luxurious to the point of opulence, with furniture made from exotic woods and bathrooms finished in rare varieties of marble. A 2009 renovation added a new wing, featuring terrace rooms and suites with private pools, all designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. And for another step up there’s the Villa Rose-Pierre, a frankly astounding semi-private residence hidden away amidst the scented gardens. The Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat is a destination unto itself; many guests lounge at the pool club by day and in the bars and restaurants by night, and never venture off the grounds. Mountain bikes are provided for cycling around the Cap Ferrat itself, and a funicular connects the hotel to the beach below — but any excursions beyond this will require a journey by car or train.