The Maybourne Riviera

The Maybourne Riviera is a five-star luxury hotel perched on a rocky peninsula in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on the French Riviera, near Monaco. Its striking modernist architecture rises above the Mediterranean, and its 65 suites and studios each open onto sweeping sea views with private balconies. The property is part of the Maybourne Hotel Group, the London-based luxury hospitality collection whose heritage includes Claridge's, The Berkeley and The Connaught. The site has a long hospitality history. A wooden chalet tea room was built there in 1870, and a hotel opened in 1950. Rebuilt in 1963 by architect André Minangoy and his associate Michel Neron, it later became the Vista Palace Hôtel under German industrialist Max Grundig, who bought it in 1978. After changing hands to an Italian investment fund in 2005 and passing through a contentious 2014 judicial sale to a Qatari investment fund, the hotel closed for a multi-year renovation. It reopened in 2021 as The Maybourne Riviera. Today the hotel offers signature suites, curated stay offers, multiple restaurants and bars, and Surrenne Riviera, a next-generation wellbeing and longevity destination. It is positioned as a jewel of the Côte d'Azur, combining modernist design, panoramic Mediterranean views and Maybourne's signature service. The hotel is accessible to guests with disabilities, with three accessible rooms for guests with reduced mobility.

The site of The Maybourne Riviera has been a hospitality destination since the 19th century. In 1870, a tea room was installed in a wooden chalet on the rocky spur above the Mediterranean. A hotel opened on the site in 1950. The property was rebuilt in 1963 by architect André Minangoy and his associate Michel Neron, the architects also known for Marina Baie des Anges in Villeneuve-Loubet. In 1978, the hotel was purchased by German industrialist Max Grundig, who gave it the name Vista Palace Hôtel. In 2005, it passed into the hands of an Italian investment fund, Tank. In 2014, the hotel was put up for sale as part of a judicial reorganisation under the authority of the Commercial Court of Nice. All offers from French investors, including the Maranatha hotel group, were rejected in favour of the private investment fund of Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, then Emir of Qatar. The Qatari offer was €30.5 million, against only €20 million from the best-placed French competitor, Maranatha. The president of Maranatha appealed the decision, arguing that the Qatari royal family controlling the winning fund had submitted its offer several days after the deadline and thus knew the amounts proposed by competitors, and that the Qatari offer was not supported by any detailed takeover plan, while such plans had been provided by other investors. The Commercial Court did not uphold the appeal regarding the auction procedure. However, a judicial investigation was opened in November 2015 for abuse of power by a judicial administrator, corruption and influence peddling, following a complaint by former Vista Palace owner Bruno Arosio, who claimed the judicial administrator had retained a valuation of Vista Palace well below its real value. After several years of renovation work, the hotel reopened in 2021 under the name The Maybourne Riviera, joining the Maybourne Hotel Group. The Maybourne Hotel Group itself traces its heritage to London's Mayfair, with properties including Claridge's, The Berkeley and The Connaught. The Berkeley began as the Gloucester Coffee House in the 1700s; Claridge's was officially renamed in 1856; The Connaught opened as The Prince of Saxe-Coburg Hotel in 1815. This London luxury heritage informs the service and positioning of The Maybourne Riviera. The hotel is built on a rocky spur more than 330 metres above sea level, which explains its relatively small size, as extensions are difficult given its location. The site is also within a protected Natura 2000 area. Today the hotel offers 65 suites and studios, multiple restaurants and bars, and Surrenne Riviera, a wellbeing and longevity destination. It is accessible to guests with disabilities, with three accessible rooms for guests with reduced mobility.

• 2021

  After renovation, the hotel reopens as The Maybourne Riviera.

• 2015

  A judicial investigation opens into the sale process.

• 2014

  The hotel is sold via judicial reorganisation to a Qatari investment fund for €30.5 million.

• 2005

  The hotel passes to Italian investment fund Tank.

• 1978

  German industrialist Max Grundig buys the hotel and names it Vista Palace Hôtel.

• 1963

  The hotel is rebuilt by architect André Minangoy and Michel Neron.

• 1950

  A hotel opens on the site.

• 1870

  A tea room is installed in a wooden chalet on the site.

Ultra-luxury five-star hotel on the French Riviera, combining modernist architecture, panoramic Mediterranean views and Maybourne's signature service.

• 65 suites and studios

  Each opens to sweeping Mediterranean views with private balconies.

• Surrenne Riviera

  A next-generation wellbeing and longevity destination.

• Restaurants & Bars

  Culinary creativity in an iconic location.

• Contested 2014 acquisition by Qatar

Read more

1. 1The Maybourne Riviera: 5-Star French Riviera Hotelmaybourne.com
2. 2Our Iconic History: A Legacy of Luxury - Maybournemaybourne.com
3. 3Awards & Recognitions - Maybournemaybourne.com
4. 4Maybourne Edited - Maybournemaybourne.com
5. 5The Maybourne Riviera - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Maybourne Riviera - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org