Recently I wrote a review about the incredibly beautiful and not to well known town of Menton, France, located on the very famous Cote de’ Azur, otherwise known as The Riviera, only a few miles from it’s famous neighbor, Monte Carlo…. So close and yet so far from the hustle and bustle of that most famous of cities, you almost have a hard time realizing where you are. Except for the fact of it’s sheer beauty and exceptional location to so many wonderful other sights and delightful excursions nearby, you have a hard time believing you are so close to so much and so near that other city famous for its glitz and glitter.


Since I have already written a review of Menton I want to share a wonderful hotel we found right in the heart of that delightful little town, The Hotel Riva.


At first I wasn’t even sure I wanted to tell the world about the place thinking I wouldn’t be able to find a room available on my, (hopefully), next visit, but I wont let my selfishness prevail and hope to be able to convey what a special hotel this is, at least to me.


Situated on the Promenade du Soleil, the avenue that stretches along the coastline just hugging the Mediterranean Sea. The Hotel Riva is the type of hotel I hope to find when planning a vacation. A small privately owned property, well-kept and typically French in ambiance and design. Best of all, it is reasonably priced, with a friendly staff and views from the balconied rooms that make you hate the thought of leaving the room at all! Except for the fact that there is so much to do and see in the immediate area.


We knew we would be staying in Menton for more than a week and wanted a hotel to fill all our needs; be well located, have all the amenities, and be charming as well, with all the comforts we wanted while not breaking our bank account while doing so...The Hotel Riva filled that bill completely, exceeding our expectations. We had some friends who had just returned from a trip to Corsica and stumbled upon The Riva by accident..This was how we found out about it since it’s not to well publicized or frequented by many Americans.


When we first arrived we were greeted in a very friendly manner and were very impressed with the Belle Epoque look and feel of the surroundings and the small fountain to the side of the doorway as you enter the hotel itself was a nice touch. The lobby, all marble with furnishings of gilded golden woods and attractive upholstered fabrics along with interesting looking paintings on the walls was impressive as well...All very "tres chic"! But not tooo much!


The rooms are a very nice size for a French hotel, decorated in the typical French Provincial design, in colors taken from the sea just across the street. Our room was done in shades of blues and yellows, with light wood furniture, and a very spacious marble and granite bathroom, which provided large fluffy towels, a hand held shower and lovely little soaps and lotions...We had a king-size bed, cable TV, individual controlled air conditioning, mini bar, private safe and good lighting, which, if you have read any of my previous reviews, you will know are important to me..But, the best feature that is so very important to me, a large balcony, overlooking the gorgeous coastline looking east and west, and behind, the hills, those incredible hills with those medieval villages tucked so neatly away in every direction. We had a corner room on one of the higher floors which is why our view was so panoramic...I would recommend asking for one of those rooms if available or requesting it when you make your reservation, but, please save one of them for me!


There are 40 rooms, 4 of which are suites. One day I looked in on one of the suites and was very impressed....That room was done in peachy tones that seemed to bring in the light of the sun....It was extremely spacious but, I couldn’t get a long enough look to check it out completely yet it was enough to know I wouldn’t mind a stay in one of them...Although I must say, the standard room we had was certainly not a disappointment in comparison.


One of my favorite things about the hotel was the fact they will bring breakfast to your room every morning if you desire and, in my opinion, there is nothing like sitting out on a balcony indulging in hot baked croissants and baguettes with delicious fruity jams, freshly squeezed juice, freshly brewed café au Lait with the steaming hot milk I enjoy so much, stareing out at the stunning azure sea in front of you...Knowing that just one mile down the road is Italy and the Italian Riviera and, in the other direction, all the French Riviera has to offer. Planning our days adventures in this manner is one of my all time delights. Sitting at the table, maps open in front of us, sipping hot café, sheer heaven!


As wonderful as it is breakfasting on the balcony looking out at the sea, don’t miss a breakfast at the morning market, at least for one day, which is held every morning nearby in the old town


If you should choose to stay close to the hotel for a day or just a few hours they have other enjoyable treats in store for you, including a solarium on the top floor, equipped with hydro massage showers, a sauna, and a jacuzzi where you can unwind from a busy day or evening on the town the night before in the Casinos or day-tripping around the hillside villages.


The hotel provides a parking garage, an elevator, and as I mentioned before, a very friendly staff available to recommend nearby restaurants, and offer suggestions for a days itinerary or for just a few highlights to see in the town itself.

Don’t miss spending at least a ˝ day exploring the old town square, the winding stairway that leads to the top of the town and the old Church at the very top with vantage points for more incredible views. Then, the harbor has some interesting attractions to see and the portside cafes have some truly delectable treats in store for you at the many restaurants offering the freshest in seafood delights....Don’t forget this is the “Lemon Capital” so indulge in a Lemon Tart...You will not be sorry!


At the time we stayed at The Riva Hotel it was before the Euro’s came into effect so I am sorry can not give you the price of the room in those terms...I do remember we paid the equivalent of about $130 a night and that included our “Petit Dejeuner” each morning on the balcony...For the French Riviera, that was really a good price for the quality of the this hotel experience that we enjoyed so much.


The Hotel is open all year round and is only 30 minutes from the International Cote d’Azur Airport..Driving time is only 10 minutes from Monaco and about a 20 minute ride to Nice. The price of the rooms do go up during the Grand Prix de Monaco but, would still be a lot less money then anywhere in Monte Carlo proper and I would imagine you would have to book very far in advance during that event.


So, if the Riviera is on your agenda and you would like a gold star experiece at a silver star price, I would recommend the Hotel Riva very highly and with no hesitation except for the fact that when and if we return, I hope there is a “room at the inn” for my hubby and I…

The address is 600, Promenade du Soleil,

For reservations, you can call 94 92 10 92 10 or
e-mail:hotelriva@ pcse.fr

Happy And Safe Travels

If you are interested in the other reviews I have written about the Cote de Azur, here are the links to some more of my Riviera ramblings..

http://www.epinions.com/content_87338684036
Menton, The Riviera And The Pirate

http://www.epinions.com/content_77958188676
Eze, The Riviera’s Showcase In The Hills

http://www.epinions.com/content_77404278404
Roquebrune, A Rocky Outpost On The French Riviera



Recommended: Yes