Amy Adejokun
Section editor
The only thing charming about this small hotel is its location in a friendly neighbourhood. You will find it next to the Prince's Palace, a few minutes away from Port Hercule. It's the ideal place if you're travelling on a tight budget.
Hotel de France - © L. Lautard / EASYVOYAGE
Hotel de France - © L. Lautard / EASYVOYAGE
in the popular La Condamine neighbourhood. Slightly withdrawn from the surrounding luxury associated with this area, it provides a warm and friendly atmosphere. Small shops, life on the balconies, a pedestrian street... Despite all this, the neighbourhood is close to the centre, only 5 minutes away from the port and the Prince's Palace. It has a relaxing atmosphere. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the casino.
The establishment's 26 rooms are all of the same category: standard. They are small, and colourful, painted in red and yellow tones. Some include a balcony, and a dozen or so have a convertible sofa bed to accommodate a third guest in the double bedrooms. As for the amenities, the rooms include a small cathode-ray television facing the bed, with a few channels, no mini bar, no air conditioning, and cable Internet access (for an extra charge). There is no safe in the room, but you can ask to use the one at reception. The bathroom is small but decent, with a shower and a hair dryer.
Looking at the hotel from the street, thoughts of Italy may come to mind. There are a few balconies for added charm but the entire facade could do with some renovations. Inside, the wall boasts "Provençal" tones: yellow and ochre. Once you are inside, you will arrive at the small reception desk surrounded by some tables and armchairs. The floor is tiled and there is very little in terms of decoration. At the far end of the room there is small bar that serves drinks and alcoholic beverages. Beyond that, there is the breakfast room, with a huge photo of a dancer adorning the wall, where breakfast is served from 7:30 am to 10:30am. There is free Internet access via Wifi in the reception hall. The building has 3 floors but there is no lift and no access for guests with reduced mobility. The climb up to the room reveals clean and well kept communal areas. The hotel will close at the end of 2010 to undergo a complete renovation.
The hotel is at a short distance from the "rock",
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