Hotel Royal Westminster

Le Royal Westminster occupies a 19th-century building with a classic, Belle Epoque facade. There are two entrances: the street-side entrance has a gray marble front, with an arched wooden door flanked by shops, and the other can be accessed from the beachfront promenade, under balconies with wrought iron railings. The latter overlooks the palm-lined gardens, which give the hotel a relaxed atmosphere that seems far from the narrow street on the other side of the building. There's a wide terrace with tables and chairs under the shade of a two-hundred-year-old banyan tree, with a pleasant breeze off the Mediterranean sea. Inside, the lobby is a bit dated and there's nowhere to sit in the uninviting reception area, but other common spaces, including the formal dining room and casual bistro, are much more attractive. Couples are the main clientele here, who want a romantic Cote d'Azur stay for a relatively affordable rate. 

The hotel is located in the town of Menton on the Cote d'Azur, with garden grounds that extend to the street alongside the town's beachfront promenade. Numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops are within walking distance on surrounding blocks. There is some bus service, but a car is almost a necessity to reach other sights. It's a five-minute walk to the Les Jardin Bioves and to the Musee Jean Cocteau Collection Severin Wunderman, in the opposite direction. Basilica St. Michel and the Old Chateau Cemetery can be reached in less than 10 minutes on foot. The main railway station is about a 12-minute walk away. By car, it's just 10 minutes to the Italian border and a 25-minute drive to Monaco. It's about a 40-minute drive to Nice, where the closest major airport is located. 

The hotel's 92 air-conditioned rooms have modern decor with textured carpets, two-toned gray walls, faded wood furnishings and bright pink accents. Standard rooms have a double bed or two twin beds, with built-in bedside tables and headboards with reading lights, and there are desks with small stools or wicker chairs. Free Wi-Fi comes standard along with flat-screen TVs that are mounted on wood accent panels. Tiled bathrooms have heated towel racks, and walk-in showers with both rainfall showerheads and handheld sprayers. Some units have sea views, while others face the street on the opposite side of the building. Larger Privilege Rooms add seating areas with pale gray wicker chairs, and mini-fridges (but there are no kettles). Some also have furnished balconies or semi-private terraces with tables and sun loungers. 

Dining is this hotel's highlight feature. Le Westminster restaurant serves Mediterranean and traditional Provence cuisine in a formal dining room, while Cote Jardin is more of a casual brasserie with a sun room. There's also a cocktail bar with an espresso machine and a lounge with a grand piano. All three open to outdoor seating in the garden, where a two-hundred-year-old banyan tree dominates the wooden terrace. A free breakfast buffet is included (breakfast can also be served in- room upon request), and full- and half-board rates are available. The hotel lacks fitness facilities, but there are two meeting rooms and an auditorium that can seat up to 80 people for events. There's also a pool table and a TV lounge with card tables. No parking is available, but Wi-Fi is free throughout.