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Step back in time as you enter the ornate gates of this historic hotel. Heavy wooden furniture and antique tapestries create an elegant atmosphere.

One of the best places to stay in Marseille for the price, this unassuming but friendly, central, 2-star hotel has basic rooms (with washbasin and WC) as well as slightly costlier rooms with full en-suite bathroom. Soundproofing keeps the street noise to bearable levels.

This small 2-star hotel is right in the heart of Monaco, with a café-restaurant on the first floor, 25 comfortable rooms, and car parking nearby. A good budget option in an expensive destination.

The Hermitage recalls the splendour of belle époque Monaco, with its glass-domed atrium, its over-the-top restaurant decorated in pink and gold, marble terrace and fine service. A monument in its own right, it is one of Europe’s smartest hotels – a reputation it has retained for more than 100 years.

The 4-star Ile Rousse combines the pleasures of the beach with health and beauty programmes based on its seawater spa fitness centre. The hotel has a fully-trained team and offers a range of personal programmes.

With only 17 rooms – all but two of which have a view of the sea – this hotel is an alternative to the luxury resorts of the Riviera, with a private beach and loungers set around a tiny harbour.

With its clean, bright rooms and chalets and good location, La Jabotte is one of the better bargains in up-market Antibes. It also has its own car park – quite a rarity.

A colourful place to stay in a colourful city, the Calendal is brightly decorated and has a very pretty, shady garden café and a comfortable tea-room. Some of the more expensive rooms have terraces and all are air conditioned, making this 2-star hotel a great-value place to stay in generally expensive Arles.

On the ninth floor of one of Nice’s finest luxury establishments, the hotel’s beauty and fitness centre offers everything from sauna and massage to manicure and make-up advice.

This very affordable hotel right on Marseille’s waterfront has some rooms with balconies and lovely sea views, a nice breakfast terrace, a ground-floor terraced restaurant, and a pay beach just across the road.