Philippe Starck opens Hôtel Villa Colette, first 5-star hotel in Cap Ferret

Hôtel Villa Colette has opened in Cap Ferret, France, marking the first 5-star hotel in this exclusive seaside resort. French designer Philippe Starck collaborated with entrepreneur Laurent Taïeb on this project, which represents the Utopik Collection's first expansion beyond Paris. The hotel features 28 rooms and suites, with interiors reflecting Starck's vision of a 1930s-1950s French actress retreating to a coastal village. Design elements include powder pink walls, mahogany furniture, marble accents, and AI-enhanced photographs of local landscapes. The property offers an on-site restaurant led by chef Benjamin Six, serving internationally influenced cuisine with Asian flavors. Located at 39 Bd de la Plage, 33970 Lège-Cap-Ferret, the hotel provides access to both the Arcachon Basin and Atlantic Ocean, with private boat charters available to nearby attractions like the Dune of Pilat. Starck, who has lived in the area for 45 years, described Cap Ferret as a magical place embodying the French spirit. The hotel's opening space combines lobby, foyer, and bar functions with paper flower bouquets, geometric cushions, and a 1950s Klein piano. Each room includes outdoor space, with the two Cap Ferret Prestige Suites offering views of the bay and square. The bar serves signature cocktails using local pine syrups and flower-infused spirits. The hotel aims to create an intimate hideaway experience rather than compete with existing local restaurants.