Not EVEN four stars!

My wife and I stayed at the West End for Grand Prix in 2003. The rates were horrendous and the view afforded us, although we paid for an upgraded room, was of air conditioning units and a solid wall. The staff was non-attentive, ignored repeated requests to move, and finally, after making a scene in the lobby, agreed to move our room after two days (out of four). The breakfast is not included (priced at 30 euro PER PERSON) and the "private beach" is not part of the hotel, but one of many. Oh, and we were charged for breakfast and had to argue with staff at length to remove the charge. The restaurant is overpriced and the food mediocre. If you want "the experience" - pay the price and stay at the Negresco. The West End experience is similar to a flop house outside the Fankfurt Hauptbahnhof!

Appalling service on reception

Very bad service on the front desk marred our two-day stay at this hotel.We asked for breakfast in our room at 8am actually that's not quite true, it was they who cheerfully proposed it the night before, "Why not? It's free!"Come 8.15 and there was no sign of it. Normally that wouldn't matter but we had a train to catch at 9pm so it threatened to knock our schedule a bit.We'd already asked if we could order a taxi the night before, only to be cheerfully, almost facetiously told, "No worries! You can't order it in advance, just tell us at reception and he'll be along in five minutes!" Next morning, just in case, we let them know 15 mins in advance, only to be told again Come back when you're actually ready to leave.So what happens? At 8.30am we're ready to go and tell reception. "Sorry. No taxis" says the pretty blonde girl. Oh, right, terrific.Our next train out to Entreveux on Le Train de Pignes was at 12.43pm - a wait of over three hours. Eventually they deigned to tell us there was a problem that morning with the taxis, some unforseen miscommunication. There was no attempt to make amends or apologise, it was 'take it or leave it'. No contrition or help in finding another way of getting to the station in time.I just lost my rag with them at that point, but all I got was that appalling French imperviousness, total inability to apologise or make amends and, in the final resort, barefaced lies. She didn't even know of the train station I was heading to, and only suggested a bus service after 15 mins, when it was too late for it to be any use. Basically, our day was screwed and it wasn't her problem. The manager made himself unavailable.They only ever have one person on reception, it seems, so when the phone goes, you can forget about any service.Otherwise, the hotel was nicely situated, though a bit of a hike up to the old town where it all happens. The rooms with the sea view are fine though not large by any means. The decor of the frontage is OK but I won't be going there again.

Excellent location - not up to 4 star

Excellent location, close to all attractions, right on the front in the centre of the Promenade des Anglais. Rooms small (typically French) and unless you get a renovated room they are fairly tatty. Public areas (again typically French) are in very smart order. There is no bar within the hotel just a cocktail bar opened up outside during the evening - then only in fine weather! Limited choice on the breakfast menu and service was pretty disorganised on most days. Would rate this more as a three star hotel - if you can get it for three star price then stay because you are so close to everything.

Truth about West End

Not worth the money. Definitely not 4 stars unless you are paying for an actually newly renovated room. The front facade looks greats but it you want a true reflection of the hotel, look at the back: the walls are peeling and much of the it is even cracked.I had 3 rooms in the hotel and they were vastly different. 2 were old. 1970s 4 star maybe.

Dirty old carpets, old bed springs, bathrooms too worn: had plywood covering the sink console, tiles chipped every 5 inches as it they themselves were mini-gorges. 1 of the room was a newly renovated room.

Everything was so much better. The staff was mostly friendly.

Nice hotel - beautiful view

My husband and I stayed here for 4 nights in August of 2002. For the first 2 nights we hated the room. It was soo small and the shower had to be squeezed into, however since we literally walked off the street and requested an ocean view room it was the best they can do at a moments notice. We were booked at the Le Meridian and did not ave the view wer requested. Anyways, 2 days later we were upgraded to a huge suite for the price of an oridinary room. The hotel is going through renovations so give it a chance.

Good value, with a surprise !!

We checked in and were given a room at the back of the hotel. I was disappointed, as it had no view, but the actual room was, I thought average for the price we paid.

The location is superb, but the hotel is a bit shabby, certainly having an air of faded glory, but sadly not 4 star these days. The stars were obviously awarded in better days.

It was clean, the staff were friendly. Breakfast was okay, but not 4 star fare.

I would stay there again, until I make a fortune and can afford the Negresco.

Poor value

Looks good from the outside, and it's in an excellent position, but my accommodation was poor for the price charged. It looked hard worn, and there was wallpaper peeling off.

The bathroom was primitive, and looked like it had last been refurbished circa 1965. Tiles were cracked, the shower was HAND HELD, would you believe, and I'm surprised the accommodation rated one star, let alone four.

OK, we were there at Monaco Grand Prix weekend, but the price was outrageous for the standard of accommodation.

Not recommended.

Missing another star

The hotel states, rather misleadingly, that it has a "private beach" but it does not belong to the hotel and guests have to pay 12 euros to use it. Breakfast was disorganised as they could not seem to cope with busy periods (and we were there in late April when it wasn't the peak period!), and to top it all, there was no air conditioning as it was a "change-over" period when the central heating system had to be turned off and the air conditioning put on a few days later. A fan was requested but none turned up. We've written a complaint to the hotel but haven't received a reply. Apart from the lovely views of the azure sea , in my opinion, it should not be classified as a four star hotel!

Missing a star

Nice facade, but only a facade. Somewhat seedy and dilapidated inside. Concierge misinformed on bus routes and local sights. Expected better of a 4-star rated facility.Of course, the sea was beautiful. Waterfront a plus.

Nice location

Reasonable quality, nothing over the top but acceptable. Not expensive so makes a good long weekend place. Location is good and lots of local places to eat. Didn't try hotel food as very expensive. rooms basic but clean. Service was good, no complaints about anything.