Le Cap Azur (MSU102)

The kids loved this place. The kids’ room has lots of activities, and there’s plenty of childcare time so the grown-ups can get away for some couple time. It’s right across from the beach. It can be windy, but it’s still a hit with everyone.

We checked in yesterday, but our room wasn’t ready until two hours after check-in. Even though we were first in line, we got what felt like the worst spot in the whole complex, down in the basement with no sun at any time. The terrace wasn’t cleaned either. There were plenty of other rooms available, and we’d paid well in advance. Some people we spoke to had booked the day before, made no requests, and got much better rooms. We felt the French guests got the good options while we were left with the worst location. There’s no management or anyone who can make decisions. The reception staff don’t speak English, and we found them angry and arrogant. The receptionist seemed especially unfriendly and, to us, clearly didn’t like non-French people. We chose this complex on purpose because it had a pool, but it was closed. The excuse was that it had been windy and a few leaves had blown in, which is hardly surprising by the water. If you’re not French, you’ll be treated badly. Out of 120 people who checked in yesterday, we were the only ones who got the worst room, and all the information is in French. This actually constitutes discrimination under EU law.

The place was very disappointing and far too expensive for what it is. It was filthy everywhere, from the shared areas to the apartments and swimming pool. Socks turned black in two minutes. There’s literally nothing in the flat when you arrive, not even salt or soap for washing your hands. Guests have to clean the apartment before leaving or pay 100 euros, so its condition depends on how the previous guests cleaned it. The owner saves a lot on cleaning. We won’t return or recommend it.

We enjoyed our stay, and the location was pretty good. The staff were nice and the facilities adequate, but there were so many odd little things that it’s hard to recommend the place. The extra charges left a bad aftertaste. Towels cost extra, 20 euros for a set if I remember right. Maybe that’s common in France, but it’s been a while since I saw this, and the last time was in the Soviet Union, or just after. You get free internet for one device. Is this 2008? Parking and final cleaning cost extra too. I guess they use a lower starting price to attract people, but I wouldn’t have noticed a few percent added to the total for a smoother stay. For a place that charges extra for all sorts of things, it’s strange there’s no vending machine. There aren’t many shops or cafes within walking distance in this residential area, and one could make a killing while making things easier for guests. The building is nicely designed, but it feels like corners were cut during construction and a lot of things are flimsy. The “upper deck” was closed because, as far as I understand, the floor tiles were dangerously loose. That would be understandable if anything were being done about it, but it was just sitting there like that. The pool area itself was fine, though there weren’t enough sunbeds at busy times. There’s room for more, and all the promo photos show sunbeds on the upper deck, which was closed, so I wonder where they went. The pool is fenced off, and the gate has a complicated lock that every new guest seemed to struggle with. Our balcony looked over it, so I saw several people give up in frustration and had to explain to a few how to open it. I assume it’s for child safety, but children were the only group who had no trouble with the gate. There’s another fenced area with ping-pong tables, with an even harder gate to open to get to the outdoor pool, plus doors with no handles to the indoor pool and gym. On my first day exploring, I got stuck there. I’m not claustrophobic or anything, luckily, but being trapped in a fenced yard for several unpleasant minutes with no easy exit was not fun. Several reviews mention the weirdly uncomfortable and plainly dangerous bathroom setup. It feels like either a very bad design choice or someone changed the specifications during construction, leaving a bath that’s barely usable. The reception is well staffed during working hours and everyone is nice, but those hours are very limited: three hours in the morning and two in the afternoon. I don’t understand why the staff aren’t spread through the day so someone is always there. One morning we went for a short walk and came back to find our door wide open. Someone had mistakenly thought we’d checked out. Apparently, they open all the apartments that need cleaning and leave the doors ajar so the cleaning staff know where to go. Luckily nothing was stolen, but it made us a bit paranoid and wary of leaving valuables in plain sight.