Le Negresco Hotel

My teenage son asked to come along when he heard that I planned to stay in the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the Cote d’Azur, the Riviera of France’s Mediterranean coast. We had recently seen the hilarious movie “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” a comedy with actors Michael Caine and Steve Martin. Most of the scenes were filmed in and around this luxury hotel. My son came along, and we drove my planned itinerary for a travel article that included a few famous resorts hotels, quaint harbors and pebble beaches located between St. Tropez and Monaco. The Cap-Ferrat hotel was everything we expected. Great food, friendly guests, and near enough for a trip to Monaco. Departing in the rented Renault Clio, we stopped in Nice and walked the famous promenade overlooking the sea. Passing Le Negresco hotel, my son suggested going in for lemonade as we were thirsty. I told him I wanted to take a look at the lobby and a bedroom. This glitzy hotel’s glam clients were known for stiletto heels, bouffant hair and gold jewelry. We wore sneakers and blue jeans. We crossed the marble lobby and headed for the reception desk. Two burly men in uniforms, possibly porters or security, approached us. One stood on each side of me. “Madame please exit the hotel.” I could have handed out my business card and asked for the general manager. Instead I allowed them to hustle us. We were escorted out the grand entrance and down the stairs. On the promenade they told me not to return. I didn’t answer and I wasn’t upset. I didn’t care that I’d just been thrown out of a hotel. My son was staring at me. “I’m so sorry mom. One day I will buy this hotel for you.”