Other reviewers have noted extras being sneaked onto the bill by this hotel. I had a similar experience. Tips being added to the lunch bill even though I had scored through the tips line on the docket, and then the hotel claiming by letter after I had checked out that I had removed a camera from the minibar and debiting my credit card extra 25 euros. With the hotel charging so much, they do not need to resort to petty thieving to make up their profit.

This practice left a sour taste, because the hotel is good, the views from the main room superb (as long as, as other reviewers have pointed out you don't go for a mountain view room overlooking the railway). Not sure about the orange and purple modern decor in the refurbished rooms in the main building - the lighter provencal rooms in the orangerie look better, but they have no view of the sea and surrounding coast and are very noisy next to the swimming pool.

Unlike others, I thought the food was excellent, although the breakfast buffet was a small choice for a hotel of such standing, the lunchtime sandwiches and salads, although 25 euros are huge for their size are actually as big as a main meal, and with the poolside restaurant being open until 5pm, this is great for families with kids. The pool itself is great and refreshing and not one of those pools that reeks with clorine. The downside is that if you go when it is busy, there are not enough loungers for the whole hotel (ditto the beach) and many that appear to be free are block booked by people who have booked them for the whole week with the concierge).

Do though have dinner in the hotel and do not go outside. What is very little advertised (including in the hotel itself) is the table de hote menu for 49 Euros each, with a choice of one of two offerings for each of the three courses. The quality of the food and the situation of eating on the hotel terrace actually makes this extremely good value - you do not need to venture into the a la carte menu at all. Half bottles of wine for people who want to drink in moderation are in abundance in the wine menu and at unoutrageous prices.

The real downside, apart from the sneaking of extra charges, is the beach. Yes the hotel have put some fine white sand where they rent their spot (and praise where praise is due, unlike other hotels on the riviera, there is no charge for sitting on a sun lounger or under a parasol), but underneath it, on the public part of the beach next to it, and underwater where you swim, the surface is like builders grit - very hard on your feet, to the point that we thought about buying plastic shoes to swim in. In addition, just in front of where the hotel rents is a Parachute - Jet - Ski water sports outlet which cooperates with thoe hotel. This outfit operates some fairly hefty and old boats, meaning that when you sit on the beach, the smell of exhaust fumes from the speedboat engines comes wafting over you for 30 minutes at a time whenever they start and end a session and you also get the noise. The worst part is that the sea itself is so polluted with engine oil floating on the surface that many people decided that it was too dirty to swim in. This is very disappointing when the hotel pushes its beach so hard in its advertising.

In addition the hotel has only one lift (which twice needed maintenance in our stay and was out of order). Climbing up to the fourth floor for some old people was not what they expected from a leading hotel of the world

Generally a first class hotel and the few niggles did not detract from a superb short stay.

The Royal Riviera is extremely well positioned midway between Bealieau and Cap Ferrat villages. Tastefully refurbished throughout although the bathroom was a bit small and shabby and beware the "mountain view" rooms which actually overlook the main road and railway tracks, only 25 meters away. Fortunately the trains don't run at night but late evening and early morning the noise is intrusive.

The staff are unfailingly polite and helpful, service generally is of a very high standard and the food is excellent both poolside and in the "gastronomique" restaurant (if a little pricey even by Cote d'Azur standards).

As with another reviewer, we were also charged for breakfast we didn't have and whilst the reception manager was most apologetic, there really is no excuse for this kind of sneaky practice which could easily be construed as dishonest.

All in all, a superior experience to the "Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat" in terms of location, service, standard of accommodation and value for money. We will probably try "La Reserve" Hotel in Bealieau next time where we had one of the best fine dining experiences of our lives but would not hesitate to return to the Royal Riviera. Another highly recommended informal restaurant is "Les Agaves" in Bealieau, only a 10 minute walk away.

I've brought four different travellers back to the Royal Riviera during three visits there, and all have been blown away--it is absolutely beautiful; perfectly positioned on the bay overlooking Beaulieu and the mountains behind, and the staff is warm and gracious. You definitely need a car as the little archipelago of St. Jean Cap Ferrat is tiny and there isn't much to do beside beach/pool, but if you have a car there are great day trips (Nice, Eze, Monte Carlo, etc.). We love the whole Art-Deco/Great Gatsby feel to the place, and we didn't run into many Americans (supposedly they get a lot of Brits and Russians). This is a very special place and I'd highly recommend it!!

When you first pull up to the hotel and proceed into the lobby you are greeted warmly and very friendly...just the start in a truly fabulous hotel! Luxurious in every aspect - yet unpretentious. The concierge staff is extremely friendly remembering your name within minutes upon your arrival...extremely helpful in any way and always smiling. The lovely pool and poolside restaurant are relaxing for your sun bathing. And if you are staying in the separate facility L'Orangerie building your walk from the lobby outdoors under the archway of foliage is fragrant with the scent of jasmine lingering in the air. The rooms are immaculate and bathrooms large and spotless....probably one of the cleanest bathrooms in my travels...and the staff very friendly again always with a friendly Bon Jour! The breakfast buffet is lovely...dining al frescoe with spectacular views of the sea and the coast. And in the evening their restaurant for dinner is truly Michelin star worthy....fantastic service with amazing food and spectacular wine choices inclusive of local area wines....and with their menu of the day a real bargain for gourmet food lovers. After dinner the bar adjacent to the restaurant with tables indoors and out is full of wonderful friendly guests of the hotel just relaxing and mingling....and again with fabulous staff! The hotel is situated just at the entrance to the Cap...perfect location for travelling about and very easy access to the highway and with the promenade along the sea your walk into town is full of beautiful views of the coast and sea - a definite must especially in the moon light! In the play ground of the luxurious Cote D'Azure I would highly recommend the Royal Riviera to anyone and will definitely make it my home away from home on the French Riviera!