On the Cap d’Antibes, Villa Miraé sits among gardens, timeless sea views and the shifting light of the French Riviera. Redesigned by interior architect Oscar Lucien Ono, the hotel was conceived with the atmosphere of a small Mediterranean hamlet, where architecture, landscape and hospitality feel closely connected.
That idea comes into particular focus across its two restaurants by chef Mauro Colagreco. Amarines offers a more gastronomic evening experience, while Miraé opens onto the terrace with a looser, all-day rhythm shaped by the garden, the sea and the changing light.
As afternoon gives way to evening, the terrace becomes quieter and more intimate. The hotel façade recedes, warm lighting begins to define the setting, and NEOZ Bellingen cordless lamps with amber glass shades add a soft, decorative glow across the terrace. For Sébastien Rey, Director of Food & Beverage at Villa Miraé, the lamps help create a warm, relaxed atmosphere as the setting shifts into night.
We spoke with Sébastien about how design, service and atmosphere come together across the property, and how the experience of Villa Miraé changes over the course of the day.
Dining outdoors at Miraé by Mauro Colagreco.
How does Villa Miraé’s Mediterranean setting influence the way you approach service across the property?
We try to enhance these spaces, which are both restful and calming, by paying attention to every detail of the experience: soft music, discreet lighting and refined service that gives guests time to enjoy the setting and their surroundings fully. The idea is to invite them to slow down, savour the food and listen to the nature around them.
How do you create a consistent identity between Amarines and Miraé, despite their very different styles and rhythms?
The culinary thread shared by both restaurants is, first and foremost, the emphasis on seafood, reflecting our geographical location. The cuisine is colourful, flavourful and distinctly Mediterranean, with an emphasis on local produce and short supply chains. The main difference lies in how the ingredients are prepared and presented.
At Amarines, the ingredients are treated in a more elaborate way, with more complex combinations and flavours. We offer a true culinary experience through menus designed as a journey, with a sequence of dishes intended to take the guest somewhere.
At Miraé, the approach is more spontaneous and accessible, with a menu that gives guests the freedom to shape the experience according to what they feel like. The food lends itself more readily to sharing, with dishes that can be enjoyed in the centre of the table in a convivial, relaxed spirit.
How does the experience of Miraé’s terrace change from day to night?
The natural setting changes as night falls. The hotel façade, which is very present and bright during the day, gradually recedes into the darkness. The sea, which draws the eye throughout the day, then gives way more to the gentle sounds of birds and a more intimate atmosphere, reinforced by subtle, warm lighting in both restaurants.
"Above all, it is a true decorative object, bringing soft light and helping to create a warm, cosy and relaxing atmosphere." Sébastien Rey, Director of Food & Beverage, Villa Miraé
Which design element on the terrace contributes most to the guest experience?
The wicker furniture at Miraé contributes particularly strongly to this harmony with nature. Its materials and tones sit naturally within the gardens surrounding the terrace, reinforcing the impression of a place in complete continuity with its environment.
Have you changed anything about how the terrace operates since opening?
Yes, mainly practical aspects that now allow us to be much more agile. In particular, we reconsidered the table arrangement so we could quickly adapt the terrace configuration to reservations and service needs. We also installed storage furniture behind the vegetation so that it would integrate more discreetly into the surroundings and preserve the visual lightness of the space.
Visiting Antibes.
Villa MiraéVilla Miraé is tucked away in the glamorous Cap d'Antibes along the French Riviera. Reserve your table at Restaurant Mirae and Restaurant Amarines at villamirae-capantibes.com.
