Château Eza
Hotel · Fontvieille ·
Michelin-starred restaurant with panoramic sea views and tasting menus
Michelin-starred restaurant with panoramic sea views and tasting menus
"Be prepared for a magical setting – a dazzling panoramic view, variations in the landscape below, mountains plunging into the Mediterranean. But this does not eclipse the cuisine of Justin Schmitt! This chef, who is no stranger to working in the finest restaurants, is a dab hand at cooking up modern cuisine with personality, such as octopus roasted with satay, creamy corn and smoked whisky, or John Dory, courgette flowers, prawns and verbena. The desserts are on a par and the view from the terrace is breathtaking!" - Michelin Inspector
"Talk about a veritable cliff-hanger. Built into the rock, atop the medieval cobblestone maze of Eze Village, this uber-romantic castle hotel-restaurant (the Prince of Sweden’s former digs), is a mini-hamlet of 14 rooms in all shapes and sizes, perched some 400-odd meters above the shimmering Mediterranean. With a private balcony (some with Jacuzzis) and fireplace in every room, plus the new sprawling presidential suite–a contemporary-style medley of marble, wood and stone and a private pool–another draw is the recently awarded Michelin-star restaurant, helmed by chef Justin Schmidtt. Expect delectable seafood-themed tasting menus with signature dishes like roast octopus in a creamy corn and smoked whiskey sauce, topped off by a swoon-worthy view. Price: From about $2,702 per night Address: Château Eza, Rue de la Pise, 06360 Èze, France A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller UK." - Lanie Goodman
"After ascending "a very steep hill," guests arrive at this "exceptional boutique hotel" overlooking the Mediterranean Sea—a perfect-scoring location. "Full of charm, authenticity, and class," the property enhances its ambience with individually decorated rooms with canopy beds, stained glass windows, and "breathtaking views"; the wood-paneled Chateau suite has stone walls and a living room with a wood-burning fireplace. Enjoy a Champagne tasting and tapas on the terrace of the Bar Lounge before dinner at the "extremely expensive" Château Eza—"the service and view make it all worthwhile." The staff are "always present at the right moment with precision, knowledge, and genuine kindness."
"This hotel is a converted chateau in the medieval and pedestrian village of Eze. It offers rooms with a view of the Mediterranean Sea and a Michelin-star restaurant. Rooms and suites at Chateau Eza are air-conditioned and uniquely decorated in a Louis XIII style. They are equipped with a flat-screen satellite TV, DVD player and private bathroom. Many of the rooms offer stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and free Wi-Fi is available. Chateau Eza’s restaurant serves traditional French and Mediterranean cuisine. Guests can dine in the dining room with a retractable roof or on one of the outdoor terraces overlooking the Cote d'Azur. Eza Chateau is 20 km from the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and 8 km from Monte Carlo." - My Boutique Hotel (en)
"You’d never guess what luxury lies hidden behind the stone walls at the summit of Eze, a tiny pedestrianised village 400m above the Med. We should have suspected, though, when a smiling valet relieved us of our car and bags, and sent us on our way through the winding streets. Stepping through the hotel’s tiny front door, we were ushered onto a private terrace to marvel at the dramatic views of the French Riviera: a jaw-dropping experience. Champagne cocktails materialised and we sat, sipped and stared. The following morning, lounging in our gilded bed, monogrammed fireplace to our right, we stared again, this time at the sun dancing on the waves beyond our window.Four-hundred-year-old Chateau Eza was once Prince William of Sweden’s private winter residence, but now - luckily for us - it's a fabulous restaurant and retreat, filled with princely extravagances for couples in search of pure indulgence. The old wine cellar became a dining area with panoramic vistas, the library a cosseting guest room, the Prince’s bedroom a sprawling suite. Decadence continues beyond the hotel walls: down on the coast are beaches lined with beautiful people and marinas full of gleaming yachts, while up in the hills are old-world towns, gorgeous gardens and heady lavender fields. Highs The food - manager Robin insisted we try Eza's tasting menu for the full French-Mediterranean dining experience, and we're so glad we did!The rooms and suites make you feel like royalty: grand mirrors, plum velvet, marble bathrooms, king- or queensize beds and lots of lovely little touchesThe vistas along the coast are breathtaking, and most rooms have at least partial sea views and balconiesDespite sitting in a small pedestrianised village, the hotel has valet parking so it's easy to do day trips to Nice, Monaco, Grasse, and even Cannes or St TropezEze is a magical village - explore at night for added romance, and don't miss the pretty Jardin Exotique (book through i-escape for free entry) Lows This level of luxury doesn’t come cheap, especially on the Côte d'Azur. But you are staying in a genuine palace The village can get crowded with visitors and the walk to the beach below is a steep one, but there's a bus for the ascent back upStandard Rooms lack balconies and sea views, and some of the other rooms' balconies are slightly overlookedThere's no poolThe restaurant is closed on Monday & Tuesday in winter" - Emily McDonnell
