Hotel Royal Cottage

Hotel Royal Cottage underwent some major renovations: The rooms were renovated in December of 2015, while the pool area was redone and completed in Spring 2016. The building is modern and features contemporary interiors. The modern lobby features gray walls and carpeting accented by cherry-red leather armchairs and a sofa. But there’s very little in the way of decorative details beyond two floor lamps. The only other public area is the adjacent breakfast room, which has a similar style of red leather chairs and wooden tables topped with gray tablecloths. The pool is the most striking area of the hotel and has a Mediterranean vibe thanks to its curved edges, blue tile, and lovely plants and trees along the edges. The property mainly attracts couples, who can be seen in the breakfast room in the mornings, though some families are also drawn to the hotel for its pool. 

Hotel Royal Cottage doesn’t have an ideal location. It sits in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of the city of Cassis with no dining or shopping options on surrounding streets. However, it’s only a 10-minute walk to the center of town, where guests will find restaurants, bars, shops, and the port. The nearest beach is also a 10-minute walk away. For the outdoorsy types, the edge of the Calanques National Park is a five-minute drive away. Marseille is about a 30-minute drive away, while Marseille's Provence Airport can be reached in about 45 minutes.

Guest rooms at the Hotel Royal Cottage feel warm and serene, with clean, streamlined furnishings and a color palette of orange-reds or forest greens and creams. Beds have white linens paired with burgundy throw pillows and bed runners in a damask pattern. Some rooms have warm orange accent walls, while others have calmer pistachio-green ones. Contemporary furnishings are a mix of wooden furniture, leather chairs, and pullout sofas. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, desks, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, though no coffeemakers or tea kettles. Some rooms have mini-fridges. All rooms have furnished balconies with either tiled floors or artificial grass. The white and brown bathrooms are decent, though many guests have complained about the partitioned off toilets as they feel cramped and claustrophobic. Shower/tub combos, toiletries, and dated wall-mounted hairdryers are provided. 

Hotel Royal Cottage offers a good range of amenities for its size. Though it lacks a restaurant or a gym, the hotel has a striking outdoor pool and hot tub surrounded by loungers, trees, and flowers. In the summer, reception can provide snacks and drinks to the pool. Breakfast is available for an extra fee and includes fruits, yogurts, pastries, cold cuts, cheese, and coffee from an espresso machine. Light snacks can be delivered to guest rooms throughout the day. Business guests can make use of a single, basic meeting room that holds up to 15 people. Note that it lacks a projector or flat-screen TV for presentations. Still, Wi-Fi is free throughout, and parking is offered at no cost.