The moment you set foot in this beautiful hotel you are swathed in an all-pervading air of luxury. The extreme courtesy of the bellboy and reception staff who greet you leaves you in no doubt that this is a sophisticated hotel of infinite graciousness.Light floods into the splendid public rooms of this meticulously restored 19th-century Florentine sea front residence through tall, elegantly dressed windows, reflecting off highly polished floors. The style is classical but not ostentatious, the décor a harmonious blend of soft tones in fabrics and paints enhanced by the natural beauty of terracotta, marble and rich wood panelling. The guest rooms and suites, all of which have sea or sea port view, retain an element of traditional styling in their furnishings, whilst the soothing colour scheme of whites, creams and buttery yellows is decidedly contemporary. The effect is luxurious.But outside as well as in, the hotel delights - here a terracotta-tiled patio adorned with pots of pink and red geraniums, there the restaurant terrace overlooking the pool and the sea, and all around, immaculate gardens of trimmed box hedge, symmetrical floral displays and towering palms and pines. The fabulous spa is the hotel's most recent addition. Beautifully designed, it is the pièce derésistance of this very special hotel.

37 rooms which include Double Harbour View, Double Sea View, Double Luxe Sea View, Tower Sea View, Junior Suite Sea View, Suites Sea View, Suites, two bedroom villa and villa Mistinguette. All offer air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar and safe. All

Restaurant with sea view terrace, large outdoor pool, bar with live piano music in the evenings, comfortable lounge, seafront restaurant for informal lunchtime dining, stylish spa with treatment rooms, steam room, small fitness room and Jacuzzi.

French Riviera, Beaulieu, 30 minutes from Nice Airport.