THE FACTS ABOUT HOTEL BRISE MARINE

France Cote_d_Azur

On a hill above the narrow road that winds around the peninsula of Cap Ferrat is the 18-room Brise Marine. It is an ochre, Italianate villa with turquoise shutters, set in terraced grounds planted with bougainvillaea, palms and olive trees. Originally owned by the grandfather of French publisher Jean-Claude Lattès, it was sold to the Reverchon family in 1945 and has belonged to them ever since. 'We try to preserve its character,' says Yves Maîtrehenry, whose wife, Michèle Reverchon, was born and raised in the hotel. 'When people return after many years and say that nothing has changed, we take it as a compliment.' Over the decades, Brise Marine has attracted dozens of actors, film directors and writers looking for a low-key hide-out in a glamorous location. The rooms are sparsely furnished (a small desk, wooden chair and nightstand), but all are air-conditioned and have satellite television and mini-fridges; the functional white bathrooms have either baths or showers. Room 10 is one of the best, spacious and rose-pink and with fabulous sea view from a huge, curved terrace with old-fashioned, sky-blue balustrades. Room 3, 16 and 18 also have terraces and are the most popular. Prices vary according to size, but all are astonishingly good-value in this wealthy enclave where neighbours include Bill Gates and the former French Prime Minister Raymond Barre. Breakfasts are copious: a large basket of flaky croissants and pains au chocolat plus jams and freshly squeezed orange juice are served on the sunny garden patio; but there is no restaurant. A good option is to take a five-minute walk from the hotel down to La Paloma, which serves a superb selection of fresh local fish in a magical setting on a private, pebbled beach. CONTACT 58 avenue Jean Mermoz, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (00 33 4 93 76 04 36; fax: 93 76 11 49; www.hotel-brisemarine.com). Doubles from 135 euros. Breakfast 12 euros. Closed Nov to Jan