Hotel Royalmar

We stopped by in December for coffee or a drink on the first-floor terrace, so I can’t comment on the hotel or the food. It’s a lovely place for a short break, especially in Cagnes sur mer, and the view is really nice. I don’t mind paying extra for the setting or the view, but EUR 7.00 for a cappuccino, even a good one, is shameless. I won’t go back on principle.

I cancelled because this incident left me feeling unsafe at the accommodation. I had to cancel and replace my credit card as a precaution, which meant extra costs and stress. This is a serious breach of trust and privacy, and anyone concerned about personal data and financial security should book somewhere else. Soon after I made the reservation, I began getting messages outside Booking.com, sent to my private email and personal mobile. The sender knew my full name, home address, booking details, the accommodation, and the booking date. That information could only have come from the reservation data. I never agreed to have my personal details shared or used outside the Booking.com system. This strongly suggests a serious data protection failure.

We discovered RoyalMar on this trip, made a great memory, and will be back soon. It’s right by the sea in Cagne Sur Mer, in the south of France, and walkable with luggage from Cagne Cros train station. If you’re arriving by plane, also take airport. There are public buses, though most places can be reached on foot. For a waterfront room, expect to pay more, and ask the staff about the room’s view and location. The hotel is clean, nicely decorated, and has no strange smells. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the friendly staff speak English and help with requests big and small. I’ve stayed at lots of hotels along the south of France, and RoyalMar is ahead of the curve. A couple of things to know: it’s under new management, with major renovations, new restaurant staff, and a new executive chef. The weekly room and meal package is mind blowing. I wasn’t sure about eating at the same restaurant for a whole week, but that hesitation turned out to be pretty silly. The meals are made by a chef trained at a Michelin star restaurant, and they were wonderful. Check whether the package is available and take advantage of it. Who knows how long they’ll offer it, and it’s a rare experience.

We had to wait until after 4pm to get into the room, even though the advertised check-in is 3pm. We’d arrived an hour early, so I understood it might not be ready then, but the extra wait was frustrating. Otherwise, the hotel was lovely, spacious, and just what we needed for a short trip.