Résidence Hôtel La Pinède Bleue

The old town in Hyeres has lovely little shops and friendly cafes, and the beach and pool are nice. Still, there were too many wasps and mosquitoes for us to enjoy them properly. There are a lot of mosquitoes in the region, so bring repellent and anti itch cream, since the hotel doesn’t mention the problem. Breakfast had plenty of options and the staff there were attentive. Our arrival was disappointing because the rooms weren’t very clean: cobwebs and dirt on the ceilings, walls, and skirting boards, plus a dirty underside of the toilet. Water from the showers leaked into the rooms, so we had to wedge in a towel to soak it up. There was no kettle, the air conditioning only stayed on for a few minutes, and the room safe didn’t work. It also didn’t work in my husband’s room. The grounds seemed neglected, with bits of litter left around. We booked twin rooms, but what we got weren’t twins, so check the booking details when it comes back. I’d come back, but I’d be prepared for things not to match expectations. Also, nothing opens on Mondays!

The one disappointment was that the spa was closed while we were there. Otherwise, we loved the hotel’s quiet, beautiful setting right by the beach. Our room was on the small side, but the beds were comfortable, it was cleaned regularly, and complimentary water was provided. There’s a swimming pool and a beach bar.

The setting is beautiful, with the garden, pool, and access to the beach. The service let it down badly: staff were slow, inattentive, and not professional. They treated me poorly over a small towel issue, and there was also a problem with an excursion that was mishandled. For what it cost, the experience fell well short of what had been promised.

The room price with breakfast for two was around 240-260 euros, and at that rate the service should match the price. This year, it didn’t in our experience. The hotel itself is quiet, with a lovely saltwater pool, pleasant surroundings, and good parking spaces behind locked gates. It’s also well placed near the beach, and breakfast was good.