What can you say about the Cote d'Azur ? Which-ever way you cut it, it is beautiful. But don't the locals know it, and use every trick in the book to remove cash from tourists.
At least at this hotel, it is done with a certain style and a politeness. On the plus side, the staff were very friendly, service good once you remember this is France so don't expect the kind of false bonhommie and plastic smiles that you get from your typical American hotel worker, and 1) you try speaking French (you're in FRANCE, remember ?) and 2) use "pleases" and "thank-yous," it is appreciated.
Location-wise, superb. You can see where the Russians tie their yachts up, or gaze on the shops where the French whose ancestors escaped Mme Guillotine spend their money on designer clothes (Liberte, Shopping, Fraternite ?). Plenty of good, but stunningly expensive cafes within easy walking distance.
But, politeness and location aside, this is a high-class rip-off, much like the rest of the Cote D'Azur. Now, that's fine if you are expecting it, so expect it. To that ends, be aware that:
1) To use the swimming pool will cost E25/person/day.
2) To eat breakfast (actually a very GOOD breakfast) will cost you E27/person/day
3) To park your car, or rather to line someone else's pocket to park your car for you in case you are too stupid or too lazy to finish a...What can you say about the Cote d'Azur ? Which-ever way you cut it, it is beautiful. But don't the locals know it, and use every trick in the book to remove cash from tourists.
At least at this hotel, it is done with a certain style and a politeness. On the plus side, the staff were very friendly, service good once you remember this is France so don't expect the kind of false bonhommie and plastic smiles that you get from your typical American hotel worker, and 1) you try speaking French (you're in FRANCE, remember ?) and 2) use "pleases" and "thank-yous," it is appreciated.
Location-wise, superb. You can see where the Russians tie their yachts up, or gaze on the shops where the French whose ancestors escaped Mme Guillotine spend their money on designer clothes (Liberte, Shopping, Fraternite ?). Plenty of good, but stunningly expensive cafes within easy walking distance.
But, politeness and location aside, this is a high-class rip-off, much like the rest of the Cote D'Azur. Now, that's fine if you are expecting it, so expect it. To that ends, be aware that:
1) To use the swimming pool will cost E25/person/day.
2) To eat breakfast (actually a very GOOD breakfast) will cost you E27/person/day
3) To park your car, or rather to line someone else's pocket to park your car for you in case you are too stupid or too lazy to finish a journey by going through the actions of "parking," it will cost you E35/day.
So, 2 of you ? That's E149/night BEFORE THE ROOM.
Ah, the room. I got a Good Deal. How ? Because the AC Hotel (Marriott) in Antibes that I was booked into made a mess of my reservation. Even with 3 months notice, they oversold my room and I was sans-lit 2 days before flying out.
But, even at E169/night with compensation and a MASSIVE apology from Marriott, this is a stunningly expensive price room.
What do you get ? Well, a TINY bathroom, a tiny bedroom and a fold-down flap for a "desk" with the TV bolted to the wall above it. One "comfy" chair that I spent the entire time dancing around.
And a mini-bar. Empty. In a wardrobe. Without a handle on the door so you can only open it by putting your fingers under the door because the edge of the fridge door hits the walls of the wardrobe.
And two mugs. With two teabags. And two plastic spoons that melt when you put hot-water on them. And the spoons are SHORTER than the mugs so you burn your fingers trying to stir your drink.
And a kettle for boiling...More
Show less
