La Jabotte Hôtel

Despite being situated on a quiet and somewhat bland street, the Hotel La Jabotte is full of personality. Its backyard patio garden is replete with flowers, trees, and a hodgepodge of tables and chairs surrounded by the building's powder-blue shutters, all of which create an inviting atmosphere. Guests enter a vibrant lobby and breakfast room with a loud pink-and-orange palette that imparts an in-your-face femininity. The room is furnished with a wooden front desk, modern chairs around wooden tables, and a few comfortable couches; but the small room can feel a bit cluttered and overstuffed with seating, decorative art pieces, and surfaces stacked with magazines, books, or plants. Past guests praise the owners for providing a welcoming environment. Note that there are dogs and cats on-site, which could disturb those with allergies. With intimately small rooms and a secluded location, the hotel attracts mostly couples on a weekend getaway. 

The hotel sits on a street that’s just a two-minute walk from the beach. The neighborhood is dominated by private homes, with a few restaurants within a 10-minute walk of the property. It takes 20 minutes on foot to reach the city center of Antibes, filled with restaurants and shopping. From there, it’s just a few extra minutes to attractions like the Picasso Museum, Fort Carre, the Provencal Market, and the port. The hotel offers bicycles for rent to explore the area easily. The Gare de Juan les Pins train station is a six-minute drive, while the Antibes train station is about a 10-minute drive away. It’s a 30-minute drive to Nice's Cote d’Azur Airport. 

The hotel’s 10 air-conditioned rooms have a whimsical yet homey decor that’s warm and inviting. Each room is individually decorated, though they all have colorful walls and floral-print bed covers. With decorative shapes like flowers and butterflies along some of the walls, the style can lean toward hyper-feminine or child-like, which can either be charming or off-putting, depending on perspective. Most rooms are small, which isn’t uncommon for Europe. They’re equipped with desks, small wardrobes, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have flat-screen TVs, while others do not. All rooms lack coffee- and tea-making facilities. Each room has a furnished outdoor patio or balcony, a quaint addition and a great place to have breakfast. Bathrooms may feel a bit cramped to some, but are outfitted with showers, toiletries, and heated towel racks.

While the hotel's location is undoubtedly the major draw here, there are a number of small on-site features to make guests happy. Though there’s no on-site restaurant, the hotel provides a French breakfast (for a fee) with fresh pastries that can be served in the small breakfast room, on the lovely outdoor garden patio, or on guest balconies and patios. There’s a small bar from which reception can make a drink or provide bottles of wine and small snacks throughout the day. the hotel offers beach towels and kayaks for rent, while umbrellas are free. Other charming amenities include a small library, a public iPad for guest use, free Wi-Fi, and free parking (subject to availability). The hotel also welcomes pets.