We stayed at Le Mas Candille for two nights in mid-March. Having read mostly favourable reviews of the hotel and restaurant, perhaps my expectations were inflated… While the experience was definitely not terrible, it was certainly not worth the hype nor the expense. There were some positives: the service was faultless (if lacking in flair), with the reception very efficient and the valet parking prompt. The setting of the hotel is beautiful, the grounds are perfectly maintained and the view from the terrace is superb. We didn’t use the spa but it has very good reviews. The lovely hilltop village of Mougins is accessible on foot, and you can drive to other lovely spots along the Cote d’Azur with relative ease. Our room was on the first floor of the mas, facing the village (the parking lot was a lot more visible). While I understand that the 18th century mas does not lend itself to regular-shaped rooms, in my opinion, the layout of our room did not work, being small, with a separate toilet off the bedroom, and a bathroom through a narrow dressing room. This dressing room was difficult to use – if the door was open, you could not open the cupboards; if the cupboards were open, you could not walk to the bathroom…The décor didn’t work for us either…in fact we found the room aesthetically unappealing – pastel green curtains, a faded, dirty-looking gold carpet with a leaf design and a bright red old iron headboard. The mismatched bedside tables did nothing to enhance the room. As in so many hotels, the lighting – particularly in the dressing room and bathroom – was far from adequate. All this said, the bed was very comfortable and the room was generally equipped with everything one needs in a ‘luxury’ hotel room. We ate at the restaurant on one of the evenings we were there. To be fair, if the restaurant did not have that special star (and prices to reflect this honour), we would probably have said that we had a really great meal. However, no one at our table of six thought their choices particularly noteworthy. In fact, some of the flavours (for example the potato and truffle starter) were not enjoyed at all. The fish (catch of the day and John Dory) were considered rather average. The desserts were okay – nothing to write home about. We had a very enjoyable evening, and the service was very good, but the food was disappointing. So in summary, would I stay here again? Probably not, although I am willing to accept the fact that a deluxe room overlooking the valley or in the newer building may be a different experience altogether (the pictures on Le Mas Candille’s own website look fantastic – our room was completely different to these) and perhaps our restaurant experience was an exception to the norm…Nevertheless, there probably shouldn’t be these type of inconsistencies in a hotel of this standard.

I recently spent two two days in Mougins at Le Mas Candille finishing up my Cote D'azur holiday. I decided to stay in this particualr area as it is about 30 minutes from the Nice airport and wanted someplace special and relaxing (ie away from the hustle and bustle of Cannes which is a 15 minute drive from the hotel). The hotel itself is just outside the center of Mougins where if you have enough energy can walk into town or for those who have a bit less energy a two minute drive with lots of public parking. When you first drive onto the property one notices the perfectly manicured grounds and a certain aire of tranquility. My greeting in reception was cordial and quick, I was then escorted to my room whilst my car and luggage brought to my room. As we walked to my room which was in the newer portion of the hotel, I was taken aback to the beauty and calmness of the grounds - just spectacular! When we arrived at my room which was a deluxe category room - well it was just lovely. Large, decorated tastefully, clean with a very large terrace overlooking the hills of Grasse. It was just fabulous. What really grabbed my attention was the bathroom - large with a spa shower stall (as well as soaking tub) that was again fabulous! (The bathroom also had a television built in the mirror of the bathroom placed so that if you were soaking in the bath you could easliy view the television.) Breakfast in the morning was in their less formal restaurant located at the pool area (the pool also was just gorgeous - this was the newer larger pool - the property has two pools along with an outdoor jacuzzi). The breakfast choices were plentiful with the usual European selections and a fabulous juice machine with freshly squeezed juice as well as wonderful coffee. Dinner in their formal restaurant was excellent. One evening I chose the tasting menu that was really quite wonderful. The wine list quite was extensive with lots to choose from inclusive of the Provence area. I did find the staff in the restaurant to be a bit too serious, a bit tight - they need to be a bit warmer - a bit less intense. Overall though the dining experience was excellent well seserving of their Michelin star. I also visited the spa which was sublime! Relaxing to say the least, with a lovely staff who was extremely knowledgeable. The general staff of the hotel seemed nice enough, cordial, not overly friendly - though accomodating - and I honestly did not have much interaction with them. Le Mas Candille is a beautiful hotel where if you want a tranquil - lovely - relaxing place to stay - this is the spot.

I brought my mother to the Mas Candille in late September/early October to celebrate her birthday and also because she has just recently lost a close family member. I was sure that the break there would do her good and it did.

The setting is beautiful, overlooking the hillside of Grasse and not, as one reviewer wrote, overlooking the motorway. That is some way away, and although the area beneath the hotel is busy, being the ring road of Cannes, the hotel itself is tranquil, just as I found Mougins where we ate three out of our four nights.

The night dining in the hotel was an experience. The food was excellent, although one sensed a two tier system when it was clear that some diners had been seated in the extension area with the best views. Despite a table becoming free there and we having made a request, nothing was done to move us. There is that element of French stubbornness, where one feels it is too much trouble to ask. Requests are met with brisk efficiency, but not really warmth which I have experienced in other top hotels.

Americans will not appreciate a bar which cannot make a vodka martini when asked - the botched job cost 16 or 18 euros. In fact, the meal represents superb value and was absolutely delicious, but charging 23 euros each for a buffet breakfast is scandalous. Charges for tea and coffee elsewhere in the hotel, ie by the pool, are very expensive, even for those who are on the 'rich list'!

The Sheiseido spa is sensational, the facials were wonderful and at a standard price. Service there was flawless, even accommodating us when we returned late from a trip up into the mountains (where we got hopelessly lost!).

One last thing: I had booked a twin bedded room on line and by e-mail exchange with the reservations manager but arrived with my mother to find that the hotel had 'forgotten' that detail and put uus in a double. They told me that nothing could be done until the following day, so we grinned and bore it. However, it was never mentioned again, and certainly not reflected in the bill, where the room rate prices are.... let's say, substantial. I would have expected some kind of discount for their mistake. But no.

A good tip is to consider their little sister hotel, more a lovely B&B, in the village of Mougins: Les Muscadins. The people there was charming, the location very central and opposite an excellent restaurant called Les Terrasses. Plus, you pay a third of the price on rooms (although I will miss the lovely bathrooms at Le Mas Candille) but you can avail of all the Candille's facilities. You won't notice the difference as long as you book to eat at the Candille. As I said, dinner there was even better than Le Moulin de Mougins, which was pretty damn good!

So, all in all, a nice stay at a property which could have the potential of Four Seasons service, but doesn't yet.

Pretty hotel with spectacular views. We only stayed one night but received great service and a warm welcome. The restaurant was full so we ate in Mougins which was lovely. We would go back again for longer next time as being able to walk to the village albeit up a steep hill was a real bonus.