The Originals City, Hôtel Côté Sud, Marseille Est

The staff weren't very welcoming, and the service was poor. Breakfast has to be preordered, and they didn't make any arrangements when I hadn't done that.

We picked this hotel because it was less than 10 minutes from the clinic where I was due for minor surgery at 7:30 a.m. Avoiding Marseille's traffic at that hour meant we could have a good lunch, or even dinner, at one of the nearby restaurants and still get up at a reasonable time. Sadly, a general practitioners' strike postponed my surgery, so we’re keen to return in February for another restful night on that fabulous mattress. Allauch is a charming, lively village with deep roots as a perched Provençal village. Most restaurants nearby serve food until at least 3:00 p.m., and the restaurant owners were very accommodating. Guests who arrived after us were warmly welcomed too. The receptionist was lovely, attentive, and conscientious. She made eye contact, checked us in efficiently, and even asked if we might have trouble finding a restaurant so late. The room was impeccably clean and warm despite the freezing winter day. It had everything we needed, from good soaps and body lotion to treats on the coffee and tea tray, white towels, and extra pillows. On the terrace, there was a table overlooking a small grove. My husband was delighted when we occasionally spotted a black and white cat there.

The welcome was great, but the room wasn't clean. There was hair and fur on the made bed, and one towel had a stain. Just so you know, the shower is like a hospital one, with no glass screen.

The room was clean, and the balcony was huge, with the sea view as a lovely bonus. Breakfast was perfect, and the person in charge was very attentive. The hotel is unique and very well located. We’d happily stay again if we're in the area. A really pleasant stay!