I needed a relaxing break following a hard six months helping a friend through a cancer operation and subsequent recovery. I love France and usually hire a car and explore. On this occasion I just needed pampering so looked up spa hotel, cote d'azur on the internet and found Le Mas Candille.

I threw thoughts of expense to the wind, and booked a spa package for 4 nights. And the hotel arranged my taxi from the airport. From the minute I stepped off the plane to meet my driver I felt the tension drop. As I ate a delicious lunch at the infinity pool I realised that this place really was something special. I don't know if it was because I was a lady lone traveller, but the hotel couldn't do enough for me, even driving me into lower Mougins to visit the chemist, and bringing me back again.

The first day I had a 2-hr massage, and was so zonked I didn't even think about dinner and went to bed. I was awakened by the maids who do the service du soir - I hadn't put the do not disturb sign out - so I invited them in and I sat on my little terrace, which looked towards the mountains and watched the lights come on in the valley.

My room, as a single, was in the Mas, on the lower floor and was delightful, with a little terrace, table and chairs where I took breakfast on a couple of mornings. The room was not large, but beautifully decorated and wonderfully appointed. The toiletries were a mixture of Shiseido and Molton Brown.

The staff were all extremely helpful, and there was always someone around when you needed them, poolside, room services, or in the restaurants. There do seem to be an extraordinary number of staff for the number of guests the hotel can accommodate.

At the pool and spa areas, there were loads of towels, and a wet room beside the main pool so you could freshen up before taking your seat at the poolside restaurant. The spa was excellent - I had a treatment every day I was there. They have a quiet area with a hydrotherapy pool and jacuzzi.

The gardens are beautiful, but I did manage to tear myself away on a couple of occasions to walk up to the bastide village of Mougins - full or artists ateliers and shops, and some very good restaurants. I ate at the hotel's Michelin star restaurant only once, but it was extremely memorable. Same view as from my terrace, and quite enchanting. The food was, as expected, excellent and the waiters patient and courteous. On the evening I was there, there was a little flurry of activity (around course 5) and I noticed a table being prepared which was later occupied by a mature gentleman and two glamorous young women. It may have been the magic of the night, but I am convinced it was a film producer from Cannes and two young starlets!

On a more serious note, this hotel is not cheap. I understand fully why people tend to eat mostly in the village. But I so enjoyed my time at the hotel, lounging by the pool, and reading in the shady gardens, that I managed this only one lunch time. Mougins and the surrounding area are beautiful and worth a longer stay, so if any reader wanted to do this and explore that part of the Cote d'Azur, I would say make the most of a shorter time at the hotel, then take yourself off somewhere cheaper. It's too expensive just to use as bed and breakfast.

Having enjoyed our previous stay in November 2005, we looked forward to two nights at the Mas Candille.
How disappointing!
The owner was planning a birthday party for herself and they were building a large tent. The work started early in the morning and throughout the day. We had not been informed and were not able to get a room further away from the construction site.
The dining, which used to be excellent, has become "new cuisine" with tasteless "emulsions". You cant tell what your are eating.

Just returned from a week at the mas candille in mougins. We had booked a room with a view overlooking Grasse ,however the view from our balcony was blocked out by large trees. Cups of tea round the pool took 35minutes to arrive at the cost of 16 euroes.
We had one meal in the resteraunt which was just ok. What surprised us the most was the noise from the traffic ,which in the morning was just like being near a motorway .
this is a very busy area and getting around is a very tedious exersise. We didnt find the staff at the hotel particulaly welcoming or helpful . It is not value for money, and is vastly overpriced. We have no wish to return.

my wife and i stayed for 4 days, and we had the most relaxing time !
the spa is amazing, the food great, the service is so smooth.

we strolled in the gardens, walked around the beautiful village, eat, spa-ed, read and seriously chilled out, its not really for families, i think this is the first time we have never found anything to complain about, its great, we will return !