Boutique Hotel & Spa la Villa Cap Ferrat

This charming hotel is housed in a lovely two-story white building with yellow and white awnings. It's situated up on a hill overlooking the sea and village. It certainly looks the part of a holiday villa, and fits right in with this storied slice of coastal France. The bright lobby is cozy and welcoming, with two aqua-colored loveseats and a chair arranged around a flat-screen TV. Stone walls and columns add character, and a large crystal chandelier hangs overhead. The atmosphere here is relaxed and laid back, and most guests spend their time either by the pool or out at the beach. Many guests are couples, but families, groups, and individuals are also seen here. Keep in mind that despite the hotel's name, the spa here is limited to a hot tub and sauna -- and there's no proper day spa. 

Located on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, this hotel sits on a residential street lined with palm trees and surrounded by family houses and the sea. Several restaurants and shops are within walking distance, and it's a 10-minute walk from Port de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The beach is even closer -- around five minutes away on foot. Famed Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its beautiful gardens are a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Nice and the Cote d’Azur Airport can be reached in 30 minutes by car, and Monaco is about the same distance in the other direction.

Rooms are airy and fresh, with light wood floors, light wood furniture, and mostly white walls. Bright bed runners, accent pillows, and drapery add a splash of color to the otherwise neutral spaces. Artwork is mostly large contemporary prints of subtly colored florals. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with flat-screen satellite TVs, mini-fridges, safes, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles. Modern bathrooms are tiled and come with hairdryers, toiletries in large eco-friendly bottles, and either showers or shower/tub combos. Five Family Rooms are larger and can accommodate three to four people. Most rooms have a furnished balcony or terrace with lovely views of the sea, hillside, or pool. Some have direct access to the garden and pool. 

Features aren't too numerous here, and perhaps the most surprising is that while the hotel advertises a spa in its name, that really only consists of a hot tub and sauna. A breakfast buffet (fee) is served daily in a lovely open-air breakfast room by the pool, and snacks and drinks are served there throughout the day. The outdoor pool is surrounded by lounge chairs with umbrellas and canopied daybeds for relaxing poolside. A few parking spaces are available on-site for a fee. An Apple computer is set up in the lobby for guests to use, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.