Ventimiglia and Hotel Sole Mare both were not quite what we hoped for, but we still did enjoy our time there. We were looking for someplace on the Italian Rivera that wouldn't be filled with other Americans and allowed us to enjoy the beach and the area. Hotel Sole Mare is at the far end of town across the street from the water. Unfortunately, there was an unattractive vacant lot next door and the city was building a marina where the beach would have been directly across the street, so we looked out at heavy construction equipement and heard lots of dumping noise. We hadn't expected a beach of river rocks, but the kids did enjoy the clean water to swim in here. People were friendly, we never heard English spoken unless people attempted to converse with us (very gracious and patient people), and it was a relaxed beach town. Restaurants had great food and water views nearby. It was just on the border of France and we could be in Monaco in just about 40 minutes, which made for a great day trip. The hotel rooms were small standard European hotel rooms and met our needs. The staff was friendly and breakfast was good. We felt the value wasn't good compared to the rest of our Italy stay. I might consider other options if in Ventimiglia, but if you are here, the hotel is fine.

Stayed in one of their larger rooms with queen bed and two twin beds for my kids (10 & 14). Room had high ceilings and good furnishings, and a small desk area with a mini-refrigerator (no freezer), small shower stall but otherwise spacious bathroom. We did our best to put away our clothes in the closet, but the room was a bit cramped with luggage. There is a small patio with a round table and two chairs. Air conditioning worked and is fairly quiet, but I like it cool (23 C) and don't think it could get below 24 C. The room was very clean and the furnishings and hotel facilities were in fine condition. The hotel has four floors with elevator access. Wireless internet worked in the room, but it's expensive (e.g., 5 Euros for one hour, 8 Euros for 2 hours, etc.) and you need to go to the front desk to get additional time.

The included breakfast is ample. They make large steaming individual pitchers of coffee/espresso/hot chocolate/milk to order. They also have juices, yogurt, several pastries, an egg-poacher, apples/oranges/bananas, and a small assortment of cheese and salami. We never left hungry.

I have no qualms about the hotel itself, although given the negatives below, I feel that it is not a good value. The hotel is only 70 meters from the sea, but does not have it's own beach access because there is a multi-year construction project (completion in 2014) to create a marina, shops and a small park directly between the hotel and the sea. Consequently, there is heavy machinery during the weekdays. They do their best to minimize sound and dust, but you cannot escape it (although work stops between 6 pm - 7 am and all weekend). If you want to access the beach, there are paid beaches (about 8-10 Euros to rent an umbrella for the day) within 100 m of the hotel, or a free beach about 0.5 km away.

For those without a car, the hotel is a 20 minute, nearly-flat, walk from the train station, and taxis are not always available at the train station. Half of this walk is along the water, but we did pass 2-3 homeless people each day who sleep near the beach (they never approach anyone and don't seem to cause any trouble), and the hotel is outside the main downtown area. While this minimizes traffic and pedestrian commotion outside the hotel, it also isolates you from many restaurants and shops. However, this isolation does bring locals out each night for breezy strolls along the water and there are 2-3 gelato stands along the way.

The lodgings are certainly good quality, but because of the distance from the train station, few nearby dining options, ongoing construction noise, and cost, this was not a good value. The restaurant, Pasta e Basta, is right next door and is a decent choice, but you need to walk farther to get many more choices. I really have nothing against the hotel, but would not recommend it to a friend.

Rooms are reasonable and very clean but have had much better for 120 euros a night and then add on expensive low strength wi-fi which did not work in our room. However the staff were very good and pleasant and the waterfront location was enjoyable, but it is not near the main centre. Good breakfast and easy access to some good local waterfront restaurants.

We stopped for a night on our trip to France. We chose the hotel because it offered a reasonable priced room for three adults. Our room with seaview had two separated bedrooms, was very clean and appeared to be refurbished recently.
The hotel is located on the beach with nice seafront restaurants in walking distance. There is no restaurant in the hotel but a solid breakfast is included in the price.
All in all it was a very pleasant stay for one night!