Located by a quiant and pretty fishing harbour fringed by lovely restaurants. If you have dreamt of the perfect small hotel in the French Riviera this is it. Not cheap, but worth every Euro (shame I can't say Franc, it would seem so fitting).

My husband attends a convention in Cannes in the fall and I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel with him since 2000. I finally convinced him to travel several days before the start of his meeting, and we spent a night in Villefranche at the Hotel Welcome. A few hours after our arrival, he said, “We’re doing this again…and for longer.” We arrived after a JFK/NCE flight, and as we dozed in and out in our state of jetlag and awoke to our balcony views, we’d think, “This has to a mural.” The views are simply that pristine. When I woke up in the very late evening and found my husband on the balcony reading (lighted E reader!), I knew we were in the right place. The Hotel Welcome is place where you can be in the atmosphere of the town’s harbor, but in your own space.

This is a boutique hotel in an historic building, so don’t expect large rooms. With the balconies and views, you won’t care. The hallway runs along the backside of the building, so every room has a balcony and the corner rooms have two. One end of the building faces a square and the town’s church, the other has views Cap Farret, and the rooms in between face the harbor. We booked a corner, “Superior” room and we were on one of the upper floors. Imagining myself in any of the hotel’s other rooms, however, I don’t think we would have been disappointed with any of them. This is hotel where “location, location, location” applies, and if quaint and picturesque is what you want, you will be happy with Villefranche and the Hotel Welcome. Our room was impeccably clean, the beds were comfortable, and our bathroom was updated and had a tub with a stand up shower (something I look for in hotels in France!).

Good people manage this hotel, and I would characterize their attentiveness as genuine and always in good cheer. Most flights from the east coast of the US arrive at a time that is not best for a hotel check in, but the manager did everything he could to accommodate us and kept us updated on when we might be able to get into our room. The staff spoke very good English, and they were always pleasant and helpful. In other words, we were very happy travelers at the Hotel Welcome, and we’re going back next year for a longer stay.

This place was perfect!!! My wife and took a fun trip to the South of France and after much research here on TripAdvisor, we chose the Welcome Hotel as our anchor. This hotel was amazing!! The balconies overlooking the harbor were wonderful. It really does not get much more picturesque than that!! Plus, the town of Villefranche Sur Mer was quaint and beautiful. Loved it!!!

When visiting the South of France, be sure to check out the town of Eze. Unbelievable views and amazing city/architecture.

Back to the Welcome Hotel. Stay here if you can!!!! Definitely worth it (and we have rather discriminating tastes). I still think back on that trip and smile.

After visiting Villefranche so many times we eventually got to stay at The Welcome for a short break in October.

This is by far the best hotel experience we have had, the room was fabulous with terrific views across the bay of Villefranche toward Cap Ferrat. The staff were attentive and helpful without being imposing and always genuinely seemed pleased to engage in conversation. The manager was particularly helpful with arranging local visits and train times.

Our room was tastefully decorated with two balconies and the room was quiet with a very nice bathroom and everything was exceptionally clean.

For me the icing on the cake was the history attached to the hotel, particularly the references to Jean Cocteau that abound throughout the building.