Royal Antibes - Luxury Hotel, Residence, Beach & Spa

I have stayed at the Royal Antibes every year for several years usually off season not for a cheaper rate but for peace and quiet and because I have many friends in nearby towns who are usually there in off peak periods. The location is key for me close to a main line rail station and a good bus station or at least bus connections that are frequent. I always book a Cap d'Antibes Suite because I like the self catering possibility and the balcony and view they provide, again these are not the cheapest of room types at this property. As a regular traveller and someone who works at senior level in the luxury hotel sector I like the fact the suites are more self contained with kitchenettes and even more I like recognition and for my comments to be taken with some empathy which no longer appears to be the case as the property declines in this regard losing some of the guest engagement which first enticed me to stay which is a shame.

I wrote a review here a year ago about this hotel which was very positive with a score of 10. My only negative comment was that there was not one single television channel in English with every channel only being in French. This should be fine but the room information guide the hotel has in the rooms for TV inform you there are three English channels. The hotel either does not see these reviews or care about such feedback because a year later there are still only channels in French. Whilst this is a minor thing even when mentioned a year ago and having the TV retuned this year the response was that this is what we offer. Upon check in I was informed that the room rate for the first two nights of my six night stay was double the rate for each of the other nights and that breakfast was included, when I stated I did not book a bed and breakfast rate and would not be taking breakfast and also that this site does not show me a nightly rate I was informed with a shrug of the shoulders that this is the rate. I was confused why they gave me a breakfast inclusive rate when it was not asked for - they did not advise me if the breakfast was free (maybe as I am a Genius Booker) or that was the only rate or if the rate could be adjusted, I did not want a cheaper rate but did want an explanation. On the last day I went to the Cafe bar in the hotel for two glasses of champagne. No one came to serve me outside so I went to the bar myself where the two casually dressed female bar staff were talking to each other in a bar empty of guests. I requested the drinks which were poured as they chatted and paid for them, it was presumed my change due was a tip which they kept without checking. A coaster, napkin, help carrying them to the table or some olives or nuts would have been a nice gesture given the prices they charge.