The Maybourne Riviera

I have a laundry list of reasons why this hotel is wildly overpriced and, in my opinion, falls far short of what should qualify as a five-star luxury property. I can echo some of the complaints from other guests regarding the malfunctioning Toto toilet seat, rude and dismissive staff at the pool and restaurant, and other service issues. However, those things pale in comparison to what happened during my stay. My $30,000 gold and diamond Cartier watch disappeared after hotel staff accessed my jewelry without my permission. I requested that hotel staff unpack my clothing. I did not give anyone permission to go through my jewelry or personal valuables. Nevertheless, while unpacking, staff went into my bag, removed my jewelry bag, and handled its contents without my authorization. My Cartier watch was inside that jewelry bag, and afterward, it was gone. To be very clear: no one other than the hotel staff who unpacked my belongings had access to my jewelry during this time. There was also no security personnel present to supervise the employees while they were in my room handling my belongings and valuables. Adding to my concern, the hotel’s employee/staff room was located directly across from my room, making it extremely easy for someone to remove something from my room and take it out of sight within seconds. What I found equally disturbing was the hotel’s response. I was told that an “investigation” had been conducted, yet I was given no meaningful information about what that investigation actually entailed, what was reviewed, who was interviewed, whether surveillance footage was examined, or what steps were taken to determine what happened to my watch. The manager, Julian, essentially told me that he trusted his staff, and that was the end of the matter. His statements also changed during our conversations. Initially, I was told that something like this had never happened at the hotel. Later, I was told that when similar situations had occurred, guests eventually found their missing property in a pocket or somewhere among their belongings. Those two explanations are obviously inconsistent and only increased my concern about how this situation was being handled. A hotel advertising itself as a five-star luxury property should have strict procedures surrounding staff access to guests’ valuables, particularly when employees are entering rooms and handling personal belongings. Staff should certainly not be opening and removing a guest’s jewelry bag when they were only asked to unpack clothing. I left this hotel without my $30,000 Cartier watch and without any satisfactory explanation of how it disappeared after staff accessed the bag in which it was kept. Based on the circumstances and the hotel’s handling of the situation, I do not feel that valuables are safe here. Be extremely careful if you choose to stay at this property. I would not bring anything valuable here, and I personally would never stay here again.

An Exceptional Stay at The Maybourne Riviera Our stay at The Maybourne Riviera was truly exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the breathtaking views and the remarkable setting. The property is absolutely stunning, and our room was beautiful, exceptionally comfortable, and perfectly appointed. Waking up each morning to those views was an experience in itself. What really set the hotel apart, however, was the service. The staff were attentive, gracious, and genuinely interested in making our stay special. There was a wonderful personal approach throughout our visit that made us feel less like guests at a hotel and more like welcomed friends. That level of warmth and attention is becoming increasingly rare. The dinners were outstanding. The quality of the food, presentation, atmosphere, and service made each evening something we genuinely looked forward to. Dining while taking in the spectacular surroundings made the experience even more memorable. If I had to mention one area that could be improved, it would be the pool service. On several occasions, the service was slower than we would have expected from a hotel of this caliber. It was a relatively minor issue, but improving the attentiveness and speed of poolside service would make an already exceptional experience even better. Overall, The Maybourne Riviera delivered a truly memorable stay. The extraordinary location, spectacular views, beautiful accommodations, outstanding dining, and—most importantly—the personal and thoughtful service made this a place we will remember fondly and would happily return to.

We had the most amazing experience last week at ABC Kitchen at Maybourne Riviera. The views were simply insane! France, Monaco, and Italy!!! Wonderful fresh sea bass, eggplant miso, green pea hummus, the list goes on. It was truly a memorable experience that was one of the highlights of our trip.

Always an wonderful experience at the Riviera Restaurant or the Lounge on the last floor but yesterday at the Bar 300 the experience was really disappointing. And I really mean it. The Italian waiter was speaking an awful French and his rude attitude made us feel uncomfortable.

Short summary: Beautiful views but noisy party hotel with everyday private events closing the pool. Come for lunch instead, take your pictures, and stay elsewhere. This hotel truly does have some beautiful views of Monaco. BUT, you may not get to enjoy those views. We paid for a “Panoramic Sea View Studio” which is the most expensive room category under a suite, and they gave us a room with a view of the opposite side of the hotel, the Italian riviera. It is pretty, but it is not Monaco, which is the view plastered all over the website and shown as the room view on this room type. I don’t know how a hotel built around Monaco views can have a “Panoramic” room that has ZERO view of Monaco. Unacceptable. But hey, it’s beautiful, so just chill and go to the pool, right? WRONG - The second night of our stay, a SATURDAY night, the hotel pool will close early at 16:30pm, the front desk agent told us at check-in. WHAT? Oh, it’s closing early for a private event, he said. WHAT? We are paying 2500 Euros per night for a hotel with views and a pool and you’re closing the POOL? He didn’t even offer some compensation or anything - just annoying bad views to start your vacation off on a sour note as you’re checking in. They gave us no prior warning about closing the pool before we came (not that it would have excused it). But whatever, it was check-in after a long trip, I’m not not going to argue with the front desk guy about it. So today, we go to the pool at 15:00 to enjoy for an hour and a half before they close it. And at the pool check-in stand, the woman says, wait here, I need to get a manager. WHAT NOW??? The manager comes over and tells us, oh sorry, the pool area is closed (it is packed with people behind her). What? I ask. The pool is closed from 15:00pm today, she says, for a private event. I’m so confused - but they told us 16:30pm at check-in, right? After some arguing, this manager woman rolls her eyes and sneers like I was the one causing trouble, and lets us sit down but tells us we need to leave by 16:00. I ask the pool guy for two towels and he says they’re out of towels. I’m not joking. Around 15:45 they’re telling people to leave the pool area and are running vacuums and moving away chairs. I have never seen anything this tacky and ridiculous at any hotel in my entire life. If you’re going to keep inching forward the closing time, why open the pool at all today? Why not just close the pool permanently and save yourself the trouble? Hell, why not just close the hotel? And aside from this ridiculous incident, the pool normally closes at 19:00. WHY? Sunset is 21:15pm here in the summer - I want to watch sunset and dusk from the pool. Why is the pool not open until 22:00 or even 23:00?? Anyway, aside from this insane point, this hotel is so loud and annoying. Our first night, there was ANOTHER private event on the floor overlooking the pool with extremely loud saxophone screeching from 16:30 to 19:00. No way to enjoy a peaceful serene view of the ocean while lounging by the pool with that racket behind you. I thought it might be quieter in our room since it’s on the opposite bad side of the hotel, but NO - we could hear thumping club music in our room with bass shaking the pillow until after midnight. I will say the breakfast here is very delicious and well done - good job to the breakfast team - the room service is sub-par though, a limited menu of plain-tasting hotel food. This hotel is designed for annoying Instagram types to take pictures, make a lot of noise with their 6 friends staying in the same room to split the cost, and leave. I’m not even joking - our hallway had constant slamming doors and someone knocked on our door by accident at night. It’s like a college dorm. This is not a classy, serene hotel to serve as a base to enjoy the region. You stay here one night and leave - or better yet, come for lunch, take your Instagram photos, and stay somewhere else. There’s no point staying at this hotel.