The Arnault family has made another significant move on the Côte d’Azur with the acquisition of Hôtel Cap Estel, the exclusive five-star retreat in Èze, just minutes from Monaco…
The transaction was completed quietly this summer through Financière Agache, Bernard Arnault’s family holding company, which already plays an influential role in the Principality as a shareholder in SBM.
Cap Estel is considered one of the Riviera’s most private addresses, occupying a two-hectare peninsula with just 20 suites and rooms. Its intimate scale and ultra-personalised service have made it a favourite of discreet international travellers, who value seclusion over size. According to industry sources cited by CFNEWS IMMO, the deal was struck at more than €10 million per key — placing the overall valuation above €200 million. That figure sets an unprecedented benchmark in the European luxury hotel sector.
For comparison, the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat was sold in 2015 at around €3.5 million per key, while the legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is valued closer to €5–6 million per key. Cap Estel therefore redefines market standards, underlining both the scarcity of assets of this calibre and the willingness of ultra-high-net-worth investors to secure them.
For Monaco, the move is further evidence of Bernard Arnault’s deepening footprint in the region. Beyond his stake in SBM, this acquisition shows continued confidence in the Riviera as a magnet for luxury hospitality and an anchor point for global wealth.
