La Marjolaine

It’s a very old-fashioned two-star hotel that’s been updated with bathrooms inside the rooms. The rooms are comfortable, though really small, and service is quite basic. Breakfast costs €12 per person and parking is €12 a day, both on top of the average room rate. What works well is the location: close to the seafront, although there’s no view of it, and Juan-les-Pins is handy as a base for getting around the Côte d'Azur and taking trips into the surrounding Provence region.

I was looking for somewhere quiet to come back to after conference days. The street itself was fine, and I didn’t mind the stairs or the lack of a bar. I actually liked that pets weren’t allowed. The owners seemed to be the only two staff, and they don’t speak English. I may not have understood everything because my French is limited. The amenities listing also wasn’t accurate. Parking is €8 a day, but bicycles are free. I rented mine a block away. The building looks like it dates from the 1800s or earlier. Some nearby buildings are probably only 49 years old, and they’re twice as tall. The train station is two blocks north at the end of the street. Several roads meet there, so it’s important to watch for Fabre. Go two blocks in the other direction for the nightlife.

A really cosy, pleasant place. The beach is only a four-minute walk away, and there are shops and things to do both during the day and at night. Even with all that nearby, the street stays very quiet, so nothing disturbed us overnight.

The staff were aggressive and made the stay really unpleasant. After the front gate was accidentally damaged, they kicked my friend and me out without explaining why, even though we offered to pay for any repairs.