Compared to the many other similarly priced hotels my family stayed in during our month-long trip (November) thru 3 countries, this place was fine. Terrific location (surfside), free curbside parking, congenial staff, walking distance to old town area attractions. The other reviews pretty much cover it all -- not 5 star but a 3 1/2 . Recommend asking for a seaview room for southern exposure , the northern exposure rooms were a little too musky from lack of sunlight. No real complaints.

We stayed in the Best Western Hotel Prince de Galles hotel Menton in October this year and would agree with the other contributors that the rooms are very tiny. However they were comfortable and very clean. The staff were generally friendly and helpful with the exception of the restaurant waiter. This hotel is a little remote from the centre of Menton so if you are traveling by train you will have to factor in a taxi ride about E10. There is a bus service close by to Monaco which is well worth a visit.

We found the Best Western booking service unhelpful and discovered that the rates they quoted when their fee is added were in fact greater than if we had booked directly with the hotel. Certainly would not use them again. The Best Western chain seems to be a franchise of independently run hotels with the Best Western badge so standards seem to vary and we found much better value locally with other chains such as IBIS.

Menton is an agreeable back water. The outdoor sculpture park and art Museum set in a garden with fruiting citrus trees opposite the hotel entrance is certainly worth a visit. There is a small clean beach opposite the rear of the hotel

Josh

Stayed at this hotel from 18th October to 22nd October 2005. My wife and I stayed here on a room-only basis last week. I don't wish to write a totally negative review, so I'll pass as few comments as possible. The room (sea view) was small but clean. Watching TV, however, was an ordeal of craning one's neck to see the 14" set, bolted to the upper reaches of the wall, and straining one's ears to hear it. The volume only reached one third.

The hotel itself lacked ambience...the lounge was more like a railway waiting room, with as much atmosphere as Mars! The staff were universally pleasant, and very professional. We avoided breakfast...at approx. £8 per person for toast and coffee we didn't think it very good value. There was a very good boulangerie about 300 yards away, so we got our croissants for breakfast there every morning. We also took a kettle (naughty naughty!), so we could have fresh tea as and when required.

A word of warning for those going to Menton...Travellers' Cheques (especially Amex) are not accepted at any banks or hotels. They all have signs up saying "No Change". Furthermore, many of the banks won't accept Visa, Mastercard, or Maestro/Cirrus cards. There is a little Bureau de Change in the pedestrian area which takes T/ Cheques, but that is all...so beware.

Menton itself has a magnificent setting, but has all the charm and atmosphere of Morecambe on a wet weekend. Avoid it!

Paul and Lesley.

The hotel is a part of Best Western chain, hence an efficient reservation process. The building is quite nice from outside, located just across the street from the seashore (not much of a beach but some public and private beaches are nearby). Very limited parking (10 or so spaces) is available in front of the hotel. More parking is available (or not) on the adjoining streets and a quite distant public parking. The bus from Nice airport (about 1 hr in good traffic) stops in front of the hotel. The hotel is located some 20 min on foot from the center of Menton. On the positive side, the reception staff was very friendly and provided a lot of information. The room and the hotel very clean.

However, the room itself was barely adequate. High ceiling but very small with only beds, a small desk, one chair and a rudimentary built-in closet. The furniture very tired, almost like from a second-hand store. No drawers except for small nightstands. No fridge or minibar. The look of the room very drab, much needing some new paint. Only one electric outlet working and used by the tv. Other outlets were not fixed during our four day stay despite requests. In contrast, the bathroom well appointed, and quite roomy, nothing luxurious but quite all right.

Most rooms (all?) have no air conditioning; we were staying in Sept. with moderately warm weather but even at night the window had to be left open with a lot of noise from the sea (rather than the street traffic).

Lunch in the hotel restaurant was OK but many better choices in the town.