Hôtel La Jabotte

The hosts looked after us so well. They helped book restaurants, checked details for trips, drove our father to the top of the hill so he didn't have to walk too far, and even cooked us a light meal one evening when we wanted to stay in. This was the most wonderful place I've ever stayed, and one of the few places I've reviewed. I hope to return another year. We spent five days here and loved the friendly hosts and cute setting. It's an intimate home-from-home with just six rooms, not an impersonal luxury hotel. The rooms are small but comfortable, carefully designed, spotless, and have comfortable beds. They all open onto the little courtyard, with a small seating area for each room and shared seating in the middle. The greenery and quirky decorations make you smile. We had breakfast every morning and loved the fresh bread and nice coffee. The hotel is very close to the beach, and they provided beach towels. The sea was a bit cool at this time of year, so it was lovely to come back for a dip in the 30-degree pool. There's a very friendly dog who loves cuddles and play, and an old cat who makes herself known and keeps finding new places to sleep.

La Jabotte felt like a claustrophobic jail cell compared with our next stop, which had spacious rooms, gorgeous views and a private beach on the Riviera, all for less money. This place is far from cheap, yet doesn't meet the comfort standard of even the two-star motels I stayed in when travelling cheaply. It really doesn't belong in the Rick Steves guide alongside his other recommendations. We stayed in the largest room, on the second floor. It was pleasant but tight. You have to shimmy sideways around the bed, though there is a small sitting room too. I can only imagine how cramped and claustrophobic the other rooms are. The bathrooms are incredibly small, smaller than those in a decent motorhome. The shower is at most 28 inches square, has no proper shower head, and you have to squeeze in sideways. Anyone with physical issues or girth won't fit, and you can't bend over. The handheld hose feels like taking a navy shower. The beds and bedding aren't comfortable. I enjoyed chatting with Nathalie and agree with reviews praising the laid-back vibe, but this is a two-star motel. We've been on a slow driving tour through France and now Italy, following the Rick Steves guide. Every hotel before and after was superb to very good. Coming to La Jabotte felt like going from weeks of nice full-service meals to a hot dog stand. It's a nice hot dog stand, with the usual attitudes that come with it, but hot dogs may not be what you want on the French Riviera. The short walk to a crowded public beach, with the billionaires' yachts in view and the knowledge that their staff have bigger rooms, wasn't what I wanted. They require full prepayment with no refund, so you can't leave once you're there. That's the only place we've encountered this, and I can see why. Many people would leave after the first night. They also didn't honor the breakfast included in the guidebook, and didn't mention it until a surprise bill at checkout. The breakfast was very pricey for a modest meal, nothing like the sumptuous breakfasts at the other hotels. The surprise bill and house rules aren't guest-friendly. We stayed at another hotel run by a couple who clearly enjoyed life and hosting guests. They held an evening wine and appetizer gathering every day, served an amazing breakfast, and had stunning gardens and a pool, large comfortable rooms, all with stunning views. That was the antithesis of La Jabotte.

I travel to the Antibes area for work about 10 times a year, and La Jabotte is my first choice. Nathalie and Pierre make sure your stay is comfortable and peaceful, and it's just the place to unwind after a stressful day of meetings. It's tucked away on a side street, so it's quiet, but still only a 2-minute walk from a beautiful sandy beach and a 15-minute walk to Antibes old town, with its great choice of restaurants. If you're renting a car, get the smallest one you can because the nearby streets are narrow and parking may be limited. Otherwise, turn up and relax.

Nathalie, Pierre, Tya the dog, and the gorgeous cat are at the heart of La Jabotte. They were such warm, kind hosts, and clearly care about giving guests an easy, relaxed stay. Our little daily chats with Nathalie and Pierre were highlights, and their kindness will stay with us. I chose this place for my 50th birthday because I wanted somewhere special without all the flash. I love simple things done well, quality over quantity, and La Jabotte is a rare little paradise. It stole our hearts and made our holiday. The room was thoughtfully decorated, with a balcony and a small view of the sea. There was also a lovely sitting room, with beautiful furnishings in rich colours and fabrics. Even the star anise handwash and olive shower gel were lovely details. Breakfast felt magical, with a delicious French spread, blueberry jam, fig conserve and fresh croissants. Birds and a breeze filled the garden, which is full of colourful plants and ornaments. It was a delight to sit in, and made us excited to start the day. After evenings out in Antibes or Juan-Les-Pins, we could pour ourselves a glass of wine or a cool beer from the honesty bar and enjoy it in our room or in the garden. I didn't get to try the heated pool, but it looked very inviting. The hotel also provides beach towels and umbrellas, so there's less to pack. This is a special place for warm, unpretentious French hospitality. Stay once and you'll want to return, I guarantee. It's a little slice of heaven near Antibes. Thank you, Nathalie and Pierre, from the bottom of our hearts.