Welcome Hotel

★★★★☆

Boutique Hotel

Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

A historic waterfront boutique hotel with sea-view balconies, a celebrated Cocteau legacy, and a wine bar on Villefranche's harbour.

Welcome Hotel Logo

About the hotel

Set directly on the harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer between Nice and Monaco, Welcome Hotel occupies an exceptional waterfront position in the heart of the old village. The beach, historic lanes, Citadel, and Jean Cocteau's Chapelle Saint-Pierre are all close by, while Nice can be reached in around 15 minutes by car.

The building's history stretches back centuries, with its oldest section dating to the 13th century and the main structure recorded from 1710. It officially became a hotel in 1787 and adopted the Welcome name in 1920. The Galbois family has been connected to the property since 1943, with a fourth generation now continuing its long tradition of hospitality.


The hotel has 35 rooms and suites, every one air-conditioned and opening onto a private balcony overlooking the harbour. Accommodation ranges from Classic, Comfort, Superior, and Deluxe rooms to distinctive suites, with the interiors drawing on the artists, writers, and filmmakers who have shaped the hotel's history. One room is adapted for guests with reduced mobility.

Jean Cocteau remains central to the identity of the Welcome. The artist stayed here repeatedly from the 1920s, occupied what is now Room 22, produced drawings during his visits, and later decorated the neighbouring Chapelle Saint-Pierre. Today, this artistic legacy sits alongside the waterfront Wine Pier, where guests can enjoy wines, cocktails, sharing plates, and live music overlooking the bay.

Today, Welcome Hotel is particularly well suited to couples, art and history enthusiasts, Riviera travellers, and guests seeking a characterful waterfront stay with direct access to the atmosphere of Villefranche-sur-Mer and easy connections to Nice, Monaco, and the wider Côte d'Azur.

Creator experience

Mélissa Durand

“Watching the boats drift across the bay from my room was one of the highlights of staying at Welcome Hotel. Set right on the waterfront in the heart of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the hotel offers breathtaking Mediterranean views and a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. Between the warm hospitality, charming surroundings, and unbeatable location, it felt like the perfect place to slow down and experience the French Riviera at its most authentic.”

captured by Mélissa Durand

Know before you go

Features

  • Number of Rooms and Suites: 35

  • 32 Rooms and 3 Suites

  • Private Balcony with Every Room

  • Harbour and Sea Views Throughout

  • Historic Building Dating to 1710

  • Jean Cocteau Heritage

  • Classic, Comfort, Superior and Deluxe Categories

  • Cabin, Cinema and Voyage Suites

  • Family Connecting Rooms Available

  • Four-Star Classification

Good To Know

  • Check-In / Check-Out: 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM

  • Adults Only: No

  • Pet Friendly: Yes, dogs are accepted for €35 per nigh

  • Dining: Breakfast is served in the conservatory or in-room, while Wine Pier offers wines, cocktails and sharing plates; room service is supplied by partner restaurants

  • Parking: Closed garage with valet service available by reservation for €60 per night; public parking is also available nearby

  • WiFi: Complimentary throughout the hotel

  • Accessibility: One room is adapted for guests with reduced mobility

  • Weddings / Events: Meetings, incentives, seminars, MICE events, team building and product launches available; dedicated wedding packages are not advertised

  • Best For: Couples, Riviera Escapes, Art Lovers, Historic Stays, Sea Views

Experiences

  • Wine Tasting at Wine Pier

  • Saturday Live Music

  • Stand-Up Paddleboarding

  • Kayaking in Villefranche Bay

  • Private Catamaran Days

  • Cetacean-Watching Excursions

  • Chapelle Saint-Pierre Visits

  • Villefranche Old Town Walks

  • Rue Obscure Exploration

  • Marinières Beach Days

Low Season: From €200/$230
High Season:
*From €550/$640

Getting there

Set directly on Villefranche-sur-Mer's harbour between Nice and Monaco, Welcome Hotel is easily reached by road or rail. The local station is 500 metres away, Nice is 7 kilometres from the property, and Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is 12 kilometres away.

 

Address

3 Quai de l'Amiral Courbet, 06230 Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

How to get there

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE)
Approximately 25-30 minutes by car.

Public Transport
Villefranche-sur-Mer railway station is 500 metres from the hotel and provides TER connections along the Côte d'Azur towards Nice, Monaco, Menton, and other coastal destinations.

Nearby

Chapelle Saint-Pierre - 1 minute on foot
Rue Obscure - 2 minutes on foot
Citadel of Villefranche-sur-Mer - 5 minutes on foot
Marinières Beach - 8 minutes on foot
Nice - 15 minutes by car

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