PROMENADE HOLIDAY - GRIMALDI CITY CENTER

・管理会社の方々が親切だったこと(英語で対応してくれた) ・バルコニー付きで、部屋が日没まで明るかったところ ・マセナ広場、ビーチ、旧市街地どこにいくにもアクセスが良かった所

鍵の開け方が難しかった(Whatappで連絡をした所、すぐに駆けつけてくれた)

The apartment is very well equipped and in a great location, just 5 minutes walk from Place Masséna and Jean Médecin tram stop, in an area full of very good restaurants. The little balcony looking out over Place Grimaldi offered us a perfect spot for breakfast and people-watching and we found plenty of boulangeries and supermarkets close by for provisions. The little washing machine (nb it's entirely in Italian) was very helpful and there was a small airer to hang on the balcony for drying laundry. We were dreading the 15 minute walk on arrival with our large suitcase to pick up the keys from the agency on Promenade des Anglais, but they kindly said they would send someone to meet us at the apartment with the keys, then when we left we could drop the keys in the owner's mailbox in the lobby - this was perfect.

It's no fault of the hosts but there was a lot of noise in the square at various times during the night. The apartment is also very dark, and this is made worse by the massive trees right outside the windows. The bed was extremely uncomfortable, with a sprung mattress that dug into my ribs and we each had one single pillow that was hard and solid. We woke up every morning with a stiff neck and aching body. This is the only reason we wouldn't return and wouldn't recommend the property. I note that the hard pillows have already been on commented on by a previous guest, but not remedied.

Had breakfast at restaurants, location was perfect

The real estate agency where I picked up keys was a 15 min walk

A small, but superbly equipped apartment a couple of blocks back from the Promenade Anglais, which exceeded our expectations. It's within about a 10 minute walk from the train station and you can walk to the old town, and to many of the sights, plus there are many restaurants close by. There's a small supermarket close by as well. It really is well situated. The apartment itself, has everything you need for a holiday let, and more. Plenty of cupboard space and hangers, a small TV, comfy lounge suite and a small dining table/area. We loved that there were some guide books on the bookshelf as well as many other small thoughtful touches. The little balcony was ideal for sitting out on for lunch, or sundowners, or just to watch the world go by with a morning cup of coffee. The bed was comfy. There is a washing machine and a clothes horse/drying rack is supplied on which to hang a small load of washing to dry if necessary. We thought the apartment is nicer in reality than it looks in the photos. Once all the doors were closed it was very quiet, and we slept well with the (floor) fan on in the bedroom. The apartment is situated in a nice block of flats, above some restaurants, which were never noisey. The entry is clean and un-confronting, the stairwell has lights, and there is a small lift. The apartment is on the second floor.

There were for us, no negatives about the apartment, which exceeded our expectations. However, when you are travelling in a country other than your own, and don't speak the language well, first impressions of hosts or managers are always important, especially after long journeys in unfamiliar places, when you are already quite stressed. Unfortunately we got off to a bad start when a few days before arrival we were told via a WhatsApp call we would need to collect the keys from the reception of an agency further away from the apartment. As we had specifically booked the apartment because we could walk within about 10 minutes straight from the train station with our suitcases, we were not happy about having to now find out where to go to reach another address after a long journey, prior to going to the apartment. But we were told via further messages that it's normal, and that everyone does it. However, in the booking.com notes I could only find reference to the wording 'pick keys up at reception' (or similar) which I assumed meant 'pick keys up at the reception of the apartment block', not from an office reception, off site. Although the agency probably has good reason for this method of collecting the keys for this apartment, I'd say it would be good to clarify this wording for future guests because it's not clear, and in all my booking.com stays I've never had to do this, and quite possibly it would have been a deal breaker for us at the time of booking because we are in our mid 60's and my husband has had two knee replacements. Overall, coming from Australia and not speaking French, the ensuing phone calls and messages caused confusion and personal stress. However, all's well that ends well because in the end, a very charming man called Fabrice, met us on arrival at the apartment, and gave us the keys and instructions how to get in, and we enjoyed a very pleasant 6 night stay in a superbly situated apartment.