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Review 4814: Owner, Maison Gioanni (p410013)

www.homeaway.co.uk

Recommended
Review by Cameron from NC who is a SlowTrav Contributor

2bed/2.5bath apartment in Antibes, Provence

Kitchen/dining area, photo by Freda Cameron

When

May 2010, 12 days

Location

Antibes Old Town in a nice neighborhood (across the street from the police barracks), but easy to walk anywhere in Old Town or to the beaches and the modern area for groceries. Harbor is 15-minute walk; train station is a 15-minute walk. There are businesses on the street and apartments above the businesses. There is a local flea market several days a week that blocks off a section of the one-way street.

Nearby Amenities

Walk to all of the Old Town shops and restaurants and the Provencal Market. Walk to the grocery store in the newer area was only 10 minutes.

The House/Apartment

The old building retaining lovely features such as trim work, windows, doors, balcony. All new modern amenities including a great kitchen and bathrooms. The apartment consisted of a very large kitchen/dining/living area equipped with WiFi, flat screen TV, washing machine, range, full-size refrigerator. Full length double French doors opened onto the private balcony equipped with a bistro table for two.

Garden

Narrow balcony with a table for two, but with three sets of French doors (two sets in the living/dining area and one in the small separate room) gives the entire apartment an outdoor feel in good weather.

Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas

Comfortable furniture in great shape. Spotless apartment. Everything was fairly new. The sectional sofa and ottoman was perfectly placed for watching TV or looking out the doors. Good reading lights in the living area.

Large dining table can seat a family. Open up the two sets of French doors and it would be as good as being outside.

Bedrooms/Bathrooms

Master bedroom is very large with a fabulous wall of modern closets and shelves. Very comfortable bed and linens. The master bath had two sinks and a walk-in, tiled shower with rain shower and side sprays (fun!), skylights, toilet. The bath was en suite and separated only by a hanging curtain from the bedroom.

The second bedroom had a double bed with a ladder up to a single platform mezzanine bed above. The en suite bath was separated by a hanging curtain. Large bath (no stand-up shower); one sink; toilet.

A small room off of the main area had a pull-out sofa that we did not try. No en suite bath. It could be used as a quiet room, too.

There is also a half-bath (toilet with a small sink) located behind a door in living room.

Kitchen

Fabulous kitchen! Gas cook-top; electric oven; dishwasher; washing machine; full-size American refrigerator; lots of light. Granite counter tops; large stainless sink with disposal; lots of light. Open style to dining and living area with lots of bar stools along the peninsula. Plenty of pots and pans and dishes and with a dishwasher, easy to clean more.

Problems or Bonuses

The curtain (no door for complete privacy) separating the bath from the bed room in each suite may be a problem for some. The second bedroom with a bed above did not have any windows. There were skylights in the bathroom, so with the curtain open, there would be a bit of daylight. One could close the bedroom door for privacy.

We do not recommend renting a car unless you can prearrange parking. Best to walk and take the train and then rent a car (arranged through Valerie, the manager) on specific days. There are also car rental places at the train station where you can shop your own rate.

Agency and Representatives (and price)

The apartment is managed by "The Key Lady", Valerie Duffour. Valerie is delightful and professional.

Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?

I do recommend this to anyone with the understanding about the lack of bathroom doors for the full baths and the lack of parking.

Things to do in this area

So much to do -- the beaches are within an easy 10-minute walk. Old Town is the perfect place for dining and shopping. Those who don't mind a longer walk -- it's one hour out to point of Cap d'Antibes. Picasso Museum. Taking the train to Cannes, Nice and all other points along the coast is very easy and inexpensive.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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