REVIEW

Hotel Napoleon

This bit of affordable chic is just across the street from the beach—and less than a mile from the Italian border.

By Margie Rynn, Thursday, Jun 1, 2006, 11:22 AM

Hotel Napoleon

• 29 Porte de France
  Menton, France 06500
  011-33/4-93-35-89-50
  
• Hotel Napoleon website

About this Hotel

Price From $131

On the bright blue Bay of Garavan, about a 10-minute walk from the center of town, this bit of affordable chic is just across the street from the beach—and less than a mile from the Italian border. (You can jog there on your morning run.)

The entire 44-room hotel underwent a two-year renovation, completed in 2004. Colors are light; rooms are airy; and there are soft, square armchairs in the lounge, which is right next to a small pool.

It's worth spending extra for a room facing the sea—you'll be rewarded with a great view and a wooden balcony with a table and chairs.

A road lines the entire seafront of Menton, but once the double-paned windows are closed, the whoosh of traffic is gone.

Breakfast is served on the downstairs patio, under the banana trees.

For the true Riviera experience, rent a lounge chair and umbrella ($18 per day) on the private beach and have a waiter from the beach restaurant bring you a drink. The hotel even has its own ice cream parlor next to the beach.