Pierre & Vacances Residence Premium Julia Augusta

“First holiday with our baby”

My wife, 11-year-old daughter, and I stayed here for six nights in early September, and we had a really enjoyable experience. My wife and I had been before as a couple, and although we don’t usually return to the same place twice, we decided this was the best option for our first holiday abroad wit… more

My wife, 11-year-old daughter, and I stayed here for six nights in early September, and we had a really enjoyable experience. My wife and I had been before as a couple, and although we don’t usually return to the same place twice, we decided this was the best option for our first holiday abroad with our daughter. We already knew the property would be well run and in good condition, as it is managed by Pierre & Vacances, the same company behind Center Parcs, and that reassurance made things easier for us. The apartment itself was comfortable and well equipped. We stayed on the right-hand side of the property, which was fine except that the balcony never got any sun, unlike the apartments on the opposite side. Inside, the apartment had everything we needed, including a TV with Chromecast, which allowed us to stream Netflix and relax in the evenings once our daughter was asleep. We also arranged the free baby package when booking, and this included a cot, highchair, baby bath, and pushchair. Having these items waiting for us was incredibly helpful, though we didn’t use the pushchair as it had no hood and wasn’t ideal for walking out in the sun. The rooftop pool was a bonus, and we made use of it every day. It wasn’t crowded during our stay, it was mostly older couples sunbathing but it suited us perfectly for a quick daily dip with our daughter. The pool is smaller than it looks in the promotional photos, more of a square than a rectangle, so don’t expect to swim laps, but it was still a nice feature. Shopping and supplies were easy to sort out. There is a mini supermarket directly next to the apartments which sells essentials, along with fresh bread and pastries daily. Beyond that, there are plenty of bakeries within walking distance where we picked up fresh bread each morning, and a slightly larger and cheaper supermarket near the train station. Pharmacies are also everywhere, so no trouble there either. Getting around was straightforward thanks to excellent transport links. It’s possible to take the train from Nice airport, made easier now with the new tram system connecting the airport to the station. Because of the extra luggage that comes with a baby, we pre-booked a taxi, which turned out to be the best decision for us. The train service itself was reliable and very reasonably priced, we paid around €4 each to get into Monaco. Even though France is known for strikes, in our experience trains still ran, just slightly less frequently, and they were still on time. Roquebrune is a quiet, relaxed area that felt perfect for families and older travellers. For something livelier, Menton is very close by, and you can also travel easily along the coast all the way from Cannes to Menton by train. The only part of the trip that was frustrating was the booking. The website wouldn’t let us choose a six-night stay, so we had to pay for seven nights, even though we only used six. That said, as we let them know we were arriving early, the staff kindly arranged for our keys to be ready at lunchtime on the Saturday, which was a much-appreciated gesture. Overall, this was a lovely first holiday abroad with our daughter. The apartment was convenient and comfortable, the location was ideal, and everything went smoothly apart from having to pay for an extra night we didn’t use. Despite that, it was a positive and memorable stay.

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