La Garde-Freinet Vacations from $1,217

Once upon a time, this must have been a wonderful hotel, but it is no longer close to a five-star standard. The rating must have been granted long ago and clearly has not been reassessed recently. There is an overriding sense that the property is cutting every corner to manage costs, and it is evident that their focus is on the restaurant and local clientele rather than their overnight guests. While the bed and linens were excellent, the room itself was in dire need of renovation. The layout was awkward, poorly lit, and there were cobwebs. The furniture was neglected, watermarked, and faded—a far cry from the 'charming antiques' they pretended to be, looking instead like castoffs from a flea market. The bathroom was outdated and suffered from poor drainage. The surrounding grounds, which could be spectacular, are in desperate need of maintenance, with much of the outdoor furniture either weathered or broken. While the dinner was excellent, the main course portion was comically sparse. On our first night, we were relegated to a secondary room lacking any ambiance, rather than being seated in the beautiful conservatory dining room. This first-impression experience discouraged us from returning to dine for the remainder of our stay.