In brief
- Affiliation with the ultra-luxury Leading Hotels of the World network in May 2025 has significantly boosted North American clientele.
- The establishment offers 44 rooms and suites divided between the historic château, the Maison des Pêcheurs and the Villa Sirius.
- The gourmet restaurant Mareluna was awarded a Michelin star under the direction of chef Francesco Fezza.
- The private beach offering has been reorganised with the arrival of chef Francesco Nappi at La Plage Blanche in 2026.
Château de Théoule, a five-star hotel opened in 2024 in Théoule-sur-Mer, is consolidating its position in the ultra-luxury market through a strategic reorganisation. Driven by its recent affiliation with the Leading Hotels of the World network, the establishment attracts a discerning North American clientele. Between Michelin-starred gastronomy and tailor-made services, this former 17th-century soap factory is reinventing the Riviera art de vivre.
A restored historical heritage facing the sea
Château de Théoule, an architectural gem nestled in the heart of the Alpes-Maritimes, stands proudly on the cliffside, overlooking the vast Mediterranean. This former 17th-century soap factory and mill, meticulously restored while preserving its historic facade, opened its doors in 2024 to offer a new prestigious stopover on the Côte d’Azur. The establishment brilliantly combines the charm of an industrial past with the contemporary elegance of luxury hospitality.
The hotel’s structure unfolds across several unique spaces. The estate offers 44 rooms, 42 of which boast sea views. These keys are elegantly distributed between the historic château, which houses 20 rooms, the intimate Maison des Pêcheurs with 3 keys, and the Villa Sirius, which completes the offering with its 21 contemporary rooms. This diverse architecture allows guests to choose the atmosphere that best suits their holiday desires.
The international reach of Château de Théoule
The appeal of a discerning international clientele
Since its opening, the property’s commercial momentum has accelerated remarkably. In May 2025, the establishment reached a strategic milestone by joining, through affiliation, the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World network of independent ultra-luxury hotels. This alliance immediately boosted the estate’s international visibility, attracting a discerning clientele fond of extended stays.
North American guests now account for 30% of the establishment’s total overnight stays, a sharply rising proportion that helps secure its high-end positioning. During the months of June and July, international travellers make up more than 80% of overall visitor numbers. Located just ten kilometres from the hustle and bustle of Cannes, the estate offers a calm and preserved haven, shielded from global geopolitical fluctuations.
A restructured governance by the BMF group
The establishment’s evolution is also accompanied by a profound internal reorganisation. The family-owned BMF group, which owns the property, chose to take over the direct management of the hotel at the end of 2024, ending its collaboration with the hotel operator Millésime, which was subsequently liquidated. This strategic decision allows BMF to align Château de Théoule with the rigorous standards of its other properties in Megève, Léognan, Anglet and Chantilly.
The owner appointed Luca Mendola as General Manager in December 2025. Under his leadership, the hotel is rolling out services with an even greater level of detail, such as an enhanced room service, personalised breakfasts served in-room, specific welcome programmes for children, and highly exclusive VIP packages.
Gastronomic excellence with stars and an Italian accent
A Michelin-starred restaurant and seaside experiences
The culinary scene at Château de Théoule is establishing itself as one of the major pillars of its appeal. At the heart of the historic building, the gourmet restaurant Mareluna, led by chef Francesco Fezza, has established itself as a notable dining destination on the Riviera. Proof of this excellence, the gourmet restaurant Mareluna was awarded its first Michelin star in March 2025, just seven months after the establishment opened.
Just a few steps from the château, La Plage Blanche, the beach club operated by the group since 2022, has also undergone a transformation for the 2026 season. The culinary offering has been entirely refocused on Italian gastronomic tradition under the leadership of chef Francesco Nappi, who arrived in March 2026 after showcasing his talents in the kitchens of Le Meurice. The chef applies uncompromising standards, particularly regarding cooking precision, passionately asserting that pasta must be served al dente or not at all. Among the season’s signature dishes are savoury truffle and mozzarella arancini, spaghetti alla Nerano paired with Provolone del Monaco, grilled meat and fish from the barbecue, and a characterful tiramisu, generously infused with coffee.
Signature creations at the Salon du Château
The Salon du Château, located on the upper floors and extended by a superb open-air terrace, invites contemplation and relaxation. In this elegant setting, the bar offers a deliberately concise drinks menu, focusing on the quality of ingredients and the originality of the blends. The menu features five precisely crafted signature cocktails, complemented by two non-alcoholic options and fresh fruit nectars.
Among the flagship creations, the “Mark au Château” cocktail offers a fresh take on the classic Old Fashioned, combining a characterful bourbon with elderflower liqueur, green apple purée, and caramel and Menton lemon syrups. As for “La Plage Blanche” cocktail, it offers a more indulgent and visual profile, blending amber rum, coconut purée, banana liqueur, fresh mint, and passion fruit juice, all dusted with a fine touch of cocoa.
A human synergy between sea and mountains
On the human resources front, operating such a property requires perfectly oiled logistics. In high season, the workforce at Château de Théoule rises to 130 employees, including 115 dedicated specifically to the summer operation of the hotel and its private beach, compared to around ten permanent staff during the winter closure in January and February.
An internal mobility scheme allows around ten employees to link a Riviera summer with an Alpine winter by alternating between Château de Théoule and the mountain property located in Megève. This virtuous scheme, introduced by the BMF group for the 2025-2026 financial year, ensures talent is retained from one season to the next across its various properties.
