Keeping it in the Family

Beach front Hotel

The Hotel Josse Cap d’Antibes is a clean and modern hotel with the added bonus that all rooms face the sea. The hotel is a family run business managed by husband and wife team Lorine and Steve. Hotel Josse was bought by  Steves’ parents in the 80’s and it has remained in the family ever since.

Situated right at the beginning of Cap d’Antibes the Hotel is one of the few on the Cap which is open all year round. Since taking over the management several years ago Lorine and Steve have totally re decorated all the rooms. What they have created is a bright, airy modern boutique style hotel. A far cry from how it was before.

With it’s close proximity to the centre of Antibes the Hotel Josse is popular with business guests as well as holiday makers. If you want to stay on the Cap but don’t have a car then this hotel is a good option. It offers easy access to town, the beach and local transport links.

I met up with Lorine to find out a bit more about the hotel and what brought her to Cap d’Antibes to run it.

Can you tell me a little bit about the history of this hotel? When it was built, previous owners etc?

Hotel Josse was founded in around 1920 I believe. It’s been a family hotel from the beginning. The original owners were the family Josse so that is the origin of the name.

The then owner had a restaurant in Nice first from which he made a lot of money, enough for him to decide to open a hotel here. The original hotel was a beautiful building with just a path which led down to the sea. It looked nothing like it does now. It was incredibly beautiful.

In 1956, when the original owners became too old to run the hotel, they sold it on to a big company.

I think it was that big company who knocked down the original building and replaced it with what you see now.

When did your husbands parents by the Hotel Josse?

My husbands parents purchased the hotel around 30-35 years ago  however they didn’t manage it as they lived in Paris. They just bought it and employed staff to run it.

What made them buy a property on the Cap.

I believe it was just the opportunity that came up rather than there specific choice.

How long have you worked here?

I came to work here after meeting my husband, he is originally from Paris.  We met six years ago and soon afterwards I decided I wanted to work with him here at the hotel.

What, apart from your husband, attracted you to becoming part of the Hotel Josse team?

Actually I don’t have a hotel background, I studied architecture. After my studies I ended up working in a tourist office in the French Alps. After leaving that job I thought maybe managing a hotel would be an interesting thing to try. I started at the front desk initially and then as I learned I worked my way up to my current role as the hotel manager.

Did you know Cap d’Antibes before meeting your husband?

Yes but not very well. I came to the Cap when I was a child for holidays but that was all. I moved here permanently 6 years ago.

What do you love about your job?

I love the fact that I am learning every day, no two days are the same. It’s also such a lovely place to work, the hotel team are like my extended family. Because the Hotel Josse isn’t so big it allows us to get to know our guests which I love.

I also enjoy the challenge of always striving to be better. We are always looking to improve and part of that is trying new things which is always fun.

What kind of people come to stay at the Hotel Josse?

Our clientelle are generally older. Retired people and people who have time to enjoy and relax in the hotel.  We also have a lot of business guests as we are close to busses and the train station.

What, in your opinion, is the best time to visit?

April, May, September and October. It’s much quieter then and the weather is perfect. For me these months are the best.

What would you recommend people to do when they come here?

To walk the Sentier du littoral. The walk is so beautiful and quiet. You can just listen to the silence and the sound of the sea. Sometimes when you go really early you are totally alone. It’s amazing.

The views are always different, different light and colours so it is never a boring thing to do. I really think it is a ‘Must do’  if you come to the area.

What makes your hotel different?

The fact that we are like a family. Some people love to be alone in the hotel. You can do that here but it’s not really the concept. We want it to be friendly and more social. We love taking care of people, yes it’s a hotel but we like it to feel like a home away from home.

Have you made any changes since taking over here?

We changed everything a few years ago. My mother in law with an architect designed the décor and the style.  Before it was more provencale you know with orange everywhere. The rooms were very dated and the toilets and bathrooms were old.

Now it’s white, crisp clean and modern.

How did your clients feel about the changes?

At the beginning some regulars were surprised and said oh I preferred it before. people don’t like change, however eventually they agreed that it is much better now. The Hotel is more comfortable.

Does the hotel close at all?

We close the hotel in December but just for maintenance. The staff are still here but we are shut to guests.

During the winter we work a lot with business clients which enables us to remain open all year. I think for a city  its essential to have businesses which open all year round and contribute to the ‘life’ of Antibes. It’s not good for cities when they become ‘dead’ in the winter. Of course the winter is difficult for us but we manage to keep our staff for the whole year rather than just seasonally which I am very proud of.

What do you like to do when you are not working?

I have a baby so now it’s hard to do anything. Normally I love to go running and skiing. I also love photography.

Favourite place in Cap d’Antibes?

I think it has to be the Baie des Milliadaires, the rocky beach just below the Ville Eilenroc. During the summer it is so quiet there and you can escape the crowds. It is also incredibly beautiful.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Right here, why not? I love my job and I see my future at the Josse.

Hotel Josse,

8 Boulevard James Wyllie, 06600 Antibes Juan les Pins.

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