St Paul de Vence in a tourist trap. It gets umpteem coach parties a day and many other visitors who crawl around the place and can make it feel overrun at times. Nonetheless it has real charm; it's a very old hill top village and away from the main shopping street surprisingly quiet early in the morning and after around 6.00pm really very charming. It is also perfectly suited to visiting the Cote d'azur being 10-15 minutes drive from the autoroute traffic willing.

This hotel is one of two inside the village walls. To get to it by car you have to negotiate rising bollards and drive around the narrow steets to get to a baggage drop point. From there a very helpful member of staff took our bags to our room, parked our car in the village's car park and returned the keys to it. After a day trip you just drive into the village and park the car. The narrow streets may put some off.

The hotel is a delight. We had a room overlooking the valley which was a good size (for the rambling building of the hotel) but very very expensive. The bed was large and comfortable. We had a small seating area and large bathroom. The bathroom was lots of marble, double sinks, large bath and good large shower plus toilet and bidet. The room had 2 windows overlooking the rooftops and the dining terrace. Double glazed windows meant any noise could be blocked but the village is pretty quiet at night.

Breakfast is limited (and expensive) to pastries, coffee, fruit juice, yoghurt and fruit compote. Anything else is extra. It can be had on the terrace or in room.

Because the hotel is in the village it does not have a garden but has a small dining terrace. No views but surrounded by flowers and shaded by parasols.

We ate dinner there twice. The 1st time was in the dining room as the weather was iffy. The second time was outside. The food was good except for desserts which were poor. Short but good wine list. Dinner the 1st time was marred by a rather grumpy maitre'd. Something had got his goat and he was being rude to staff (very apparent in a small dining room) and there was much sighing when we decided we wanted a cheese course. Second time he wasn't there.

Overall the staff were charming and very helpful. They always made time for you and made you feel they were glad you were staying. Very good housekeeping. No issues about booking other restaurants. They realise that access to the hotel is a little challenging and work hard to make this as easy as possible for guests.

After arrival a small tray of goodies and bowl of flowers is delivered to your room - a nice touch.

Overall very good.