Pierre & Vacances Résidence Premium Julia Augusta

The light was bright and the water from my window emerald green as the plane descended into the airport in Nice. The Côte d’Azur had been on my bucket list for some time now, and I could feel the excitement mounting. With so many places to visit, it was hard to choose where to stay. With Nice, Cannes, and Monaco being the obvious choices, I opted to go for the path less travelled and found a promising property in Roquebrune Cap Martin between Monaco and Menton. It was the Pierre & Vacances Résidence Premium Julia Augusta, and it proved to be just what I was looking for…

There are many ways to get to the hotel. Taking a suggestion from a good friend, I treated myself to a private car ride along the coast. It was worth every centime! From Nice to Villefranche and the Baie des Fourmis, from Beaulieu to fabulous Eze and the Baie de Saint-Laurent, winding through Cap-d’Ail and then along the peaks of Monaco, I relished in the magical colours and smells. A true work of art presented itself, with blues and greys and whites shimmering in the bright light of this natural paradise.

Just a few kilometres before Menton at the outermost edge of the French Riviera, I was dropped off at my hotel. I was greeted by a friendly staff member who showed me the way to my one-bedroom apartment. She asked me if I’d like to have some fresh croissants delivered in the morning. Would I ever! First the chauffeured car and now fresh croissants…this holiday was starting off right.

My room had all I could have wanted. It was a fully-equipped apartment with all the amenities, including a microwave and dishwasher. Large bay windows ushered the light in, creating a warm and sunny feeling. The interior design is flawlessly contemporary and inviting, chic and stylish yet entirely comfortable. The bathroom and bedroom were supplied with fresh linen, and little touches, such as tea and coffee, made it clear that the hotel paid good attention to the details. I spent some time unwinding on my balcony, breathing in the Mediterranean breeze, and then made my way to the roof, where an expansive terrace boasts a heated pool and solarium – not to mention views to die for. The pebbled beach was just minutes away, but this rooftop had the stuff dreams were made of, and I looked forward to spending more than my fair share lounging in one of the comfy deck chairs at my disposal.

Despite my best intentions to “get out there”, I would spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel. My spacious apartment was just perfect, and I needed a little time to take in these majestic new surrounding before heading out to explore. I vowed after my croissants in the morning to check out Roquebrune Castle and maybe head over to Menton. With Italy right next door, I was also tempted to take the train to Ventimiglia for some shopping. I was excited to visit Menton and Monaco too! Before getting carried away, I stopped myself to enjoy the present moment, this precious moment in the Pierre & Vacances Résidence Premium Julia Augusta, where time stands still and I’m the happiest guy alive…