You're paying for location at the Beau Rivage
- October 25, 2008
- Rated 3 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
I had read many reviews of the Beau Rivage before we left and most complained of the mildew in the showers. Over a 2 week period we stayed at this hotel 2 times and were in 3 rooms. I can confirm that all of them had mildew in the cormers of the showers. We did not have the same issues that the previous reviewer had with the A/C. It was quite and comfortable. All of our rooms looked in on the center courtyard. None of their rooms have an ocean view. For the most part the staff was courteous and efficient. They always had someone at the front desk and everyone spoke English. We feel that this hotel is a far cry from a 4 star hotel in many aspects, but the biggest one is room size. We stayed it the classic room twice (2 different rooms) and were upgraded to their Jr. Suite for our last 2 nights. The Jr. Suite is supposed to be their best room and goes for 600 Euros/night. It is more like what you expect of a 4 star room, but even that had it's problems. The safe had been ripped out and the bathroom fixtures were damaged. One of the more irritating things is that all showers lack a shower curtain. It has a glass door that only extends 1/2 way down the tub and since it is moveable, it leaks at its base. Water sprays everywhere. Stay here for location only. It's right in the middle of everything. The airport bus #98 drops you 1 block from the front door. We never ate there and only got 1 drink from the bar. I would only stay there again because of the excellent loction, not the quality of the rooms. You may want to consider joining iPrefer from Preferred Hotels as they are a member of that group and you may get upgraded to a better room. Also, the business center noted in their brochures doesn't exist, never got built. There is wireless in all rooms, but it is expensive. A bar around the corner has free wi-fi. Have a drink and connect at no charge.
fine, but not up to standards of years past
- November 29, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
I have staying in this hotel multipe times, but this was the first time in about 10 years. It has been renovated since my last visit and now has a modern, trendy quality (a theme of rocks such as one finds on the beach is everwhere -- in pictures, containers of rocks, etc). I frankly liked ithe previous more traditional, formal, old elegance better (it seemed a better fit with the era the hotel was built, of note, Matisse and Chekov lived in this building).
The location is perfect. The room (a "classic room") was on the small side and clean enough. My major complaints are a lack of temperature control in the room and substandard maintenance. Nice in November was pleasant, in the mid 60's F (20 degrees or so C). The room was very hot and turning on the ventilation did nothing, which then meant leaving the window open all night and being exposed to plenty of street noise, The walls of the room were covered with scuff marks and missing paint, something one does not expect in a 4 star hotel which is trying to cash in on its trendy style. Overall, it's chic style which does not quite work (e.g., trying to figure out what switch controls what light is impossible; the sink in the bathroom is very cool but hard to use).
About half the time we walked in the front door there was nobody to be found at the front desk which faces the front door, of some concern for security and assistance.
Overall, it's ok, but not up to the standards I have found on several prior visits and somewhat below what one expects at this level of price and luxury.