After having been there in July 2005 (a few weeks after the opening), we returned to Le Mas de Pierre this summer.

The hotel remains one the most beautiful property in the region. Located a few kilometers away from Vence, slightly off the beaten track, the place is both quiet and nicely built. The garden is really lovely and the rooms are nicely decorated an of decent size.

As we were pretty disappointed by the service during our first stay (and we had written a kind letter to the management to try helping them to address basis issues), we were pretty confident that the hotel service had improved to match the Relais&Chateau standard. Our belief was quickly mistaken. The service is clearly Le Mas de Pierre's weakest point. There is not point I think of writing another letter.Changing the management and half the staff might be the solution. I am not a picky client, nor someone difficult to please. But when I am paying EUR 450.- per night, I do not want to face the following events:

- dirty glass was served when we ordered a bottle of Evian by the pool (I mean the glass was both sticky and dirty)
- many hair on the bathroom floor and in the bath-tube as we arrived. The mirror had finger prints.
- we are smokers and our ashtrays were not emptied on two occasions when room was cleaned
- one night, as we were returning from dinner, the room door had been left wide open, as the maid apparently forgot to close it. We called reception and the person answering advised us to check if nothing was missing. No apologies and no-one ever asked us on the following days if everything was ok. Considering our time of returning, the door was supposedly opened for at least 2-3 hours.
- In the restaurant, we needed to ask several times (3-4 times) to get an ashtray or a bottle of water during dinner.
- my wife use the fitness place. there were no towell available and no-one dare to come to propose assistance or something to drink.

Nevertheless, I would like to mention the great attention, care and service provided by the concierge. He is really friendly, available and willing to recommend restaurants, book transat on any beach in Juan les Pins and always offered to get the car out of the parking. We really appreciated this person.

The restaurant proposes a rather limited menu, but products are fresh, presentation is inventive and overall the food experience is really satisfactory. The breakfast buffet is also very nice and offers a wide variety of choice.

To conclude: great location, friendly concierge, bad management, below-average service.

I think for a relais and chateaux this would be ranked normal - we have stayed at many R&C and in terms of location, views and the overall look of the hotel holds up against the competition. But the costs they charge for food are outrageous as they hold you captive to the fact that you cannot just walk to town. Plus the food quality does NOT justify the expense in the least, to charge almost euro 30 for a tiny salad with a sliver of tuna is ridiculous. In the evening the restaurant is in a beautiful setting but again, the food misses the mark. They charge same prices as Michelin star restaurants and it is not justified. In addition this is like a kids camp, do not come here looking for a relaxing romantic lounging session by the pool - there are kids screaming and running everywhere. Perhaps if you come here outside the school holidays it would be a better option for a couple. The manager did apologise for a few service hiccups and offered us two glasses of champagne which was very nice but overall we won't be returning.

We stayed at the Mas de Pierre for 12 nights at the end of June 2007. We were impressed by the setting of the hotel and the nice pool and gardens. What disappointed us most was the service which was not what one would expect from a hotel in this category. The junior staff were on the whole friendly and obliging although sometimes not in attendance when you most needed them. The food and drink at the hotel is grossly overpriced and some guests complained about the lunches by the pool in particular. Small portions at an exorbitant price. The hotel is clearly not geared to having people stay for more than a couple of nights. There was no set menu for evening meals for those staying for longer periods. When we questioned the menu with reception they told us that they thought it was possible to choose from the set lunch menu in the evenings but were not quite sure and that it was up to us to enquire with the restaurant staff, quite extraordinary ! There was in fact only an a la carte menu which was very pricey and although the food was not bad really was not worth the money paid for it. The sommelier was also very aloof and lacking in professionalism. He enquired whether we had chosen the wine when we had not even decided what we were going to eat ! There are definitely other better alternatives to eat out in the area. For lunch a selection of affordable snacks and salads was clearly something we missed as the terrace with its fantastic view was a very pleasant place to enjoy a meal. On the whole genuine staff friendliness and warmth was lacking although we cannot say that the staff were unfriendly. We did not feel that there was a very welcoming atmosphere at the hotel which made us feel uncomfortable on occasions. We do not think we will go back unless there are substantial improvements in service which is a pity because this hotel has so much potential.

My husband and I just got back from staying at Le Mas de Pierre with a large group and although we had a good time during our trip, the time spent at this hotel was not the same. They are not ready to cater to a large group of people (who are paying top dollar for their vacation...) Service is basically non-existent. Breakfast was supposed to be included in the price but it wasn't (they charged 25 euro per person, even though all I had was a coke) They had champagne for everyone's arrival out in the garden which we later found out they charged 110 euro per person, even though some didn't drink or only had one glass. lWhenever you wanted something no one was around. Our first dinner there was a disaster.

What really sealed the deal was trying to check out. They had massive charges that didn't make sense. They weren't subtracting initial payments made before the trip, eventhough they we're already paid for... The general manager, who spoke spanish, was called to help us out with the french, saw what was happening and just left. he didn't want to get involved...

It's too bad because the location of this hotel is breathtaking, the room was very nice, the bed incredibly comfortable. We will never go back, and I don't recomend it to anyone; it will put a cramp on your stay.