THE STYLE-LIST SPECIAL
COTE D'AZUR
Hi once again fabulous Stylistas I have just returned from a wonderful stay in Cannes. I lived here for !) years so it was super to return. This week I thought I would like to share with you a few of my favourite places there are of course too many divine places in this part of the world to mention. But I have selected a few where I return to again and again they combine elegance, style, service and a special product .... everything a stylista is on the lookout for.
Lets start with my favourite Hotel
CARLTON HOTEL CANNES superbly situated to explore both Monaco and opposite direction St Tropez without having to change Hotel. Refined, elegant and sophisticated. This La Belle Epoque (reminiscent of a wedding cake) hotel is celebrating its 10yr anniversary this year. It does not have to try hard it just is !
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| Carlton Intercontinental |
This leads nicely onto my favourite beach to spend a day and lucky it is right opposite !!
CARLTON BEACH CLUB Olivier,Thierry and Michael have run this superbly for 20 years (I have known them that long too) the service is second to none. You may baulk at paying 30euros for a sunbed(50 for front row) but it is worth it. If you are staying at the Hotel negotiate it into your room rate as it is generally not
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Carlton beach Restaurant
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included! Roll off your sunbed to experience the seafood buffet for lunch then roll back on again. This the place to be seen. Another great restaurant which has sun beds too and at a much more reasonable rates th highly acclaimed L'ANNEX and it is right next door. One of the best seafood restaurants along The Croissette and run by Michael and his father who are always warm and welcoming. The fish is laid out for you to select but this is the best salad Nicoise here (18 euros ).
Lets move up the coast To Monaco go to the unmissable PORT PALACE Boutique Hotel close to the casino. Its super stylish restaurant La Maree a seafood restaurant looks down on the Marina Hercule and only 1 km from the station. Forget about all those super expensive restaurants you have been told to visit here. This is the one ! Great for lunch but an incredible serenity for dinner.
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| La Maree |
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| Chateau Eza |
Moving back down the coast to the ancient medieval village of Eze after a morning sightseeing go for lunch at the Michelin starred CHATEAU EZA for lunch. This is a place to don your Missoni dresses and chic daywear though no flip flops and shorts it is undeniably classy and the most spectacular 180 degree views from your dining table. this Hotel is soo romantic I would not hesitate to recommend it to honeymooning couples..........................................
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| Tahiti Beach Club |
Ok lets pop down to the other end of the Cote D'Azur St Tropez hopefully you have procured a yacht or someone with one as the drive is impossible during the summer months-bumper to bumper traffic. The first beach as you hit Ramatuelle is the Exquisite TAHITI BAR AND GRILL also a hotel and full beach club. Forget all those over hyped Club 55 and Byblos only the people in the know come here. As you dine you are treated to a fashion show all of which can be purchased from the beach shop or as you see pay the models and your goods are brought to your table. When is this going to catch on in London ???????????????? This is truly paradise water taxis come to collect you from your yacht or in our case all the kids swam to shore (only because they did not want to wait for taxi!!!) okay heading back to Cannes then inland up to the hills of Provence the old village of MOUGINS.
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Le Feu Follet
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This place is very dear to me as I used to live here. It is a gastronomique and artistic village (Picasso lived here). My number 1stylish restaurant is the formidable FEU FOLLET in the heart of this picturesque Disney like village. The food is fine dining yet Provencal but there is an extremely good value Prix Fixe menu always busy must book beforehand. Ask for Antoine the Headwaiter the finest waiter in France possibly the world !
RUN A MILE...........................
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| Club 55 |
For true style in the South of France avoid the overhyped places they are usually frequented by sleazy pretentious annoying idiots. One place that immediately springs to mind is NIKKI BEACH (actually ANY Nikki Beach) in St Tropez . CLUB 55 or CINQUANTE CINQ as it is frequently called. the first time I was taken here I was deeply disappointed with the basic decor unimpressive menu and laid back staff, stylish ?....no expensive ?...yes. Worth bothering with ....No. Finally for super stylish South of France you really cannot stay anywhere less than 5* hotels as even 4* on the continent tend to be considerably more basic than the rest of the world so if you want to live in a super stylish gorgeous world you cannot do it on the cheap here !!
