Where to Stay

Nice is a major tourist destination all year round, and has a remarkably comprehensive selection of hotels, catering to all tastes and budgets.

Fans of belle epoque architecture should head straight for Nice's most famous hotel, the impressive and aged Negresco, which occupies a place of pride on the city's magnificent seaside walkway, the Promenade des Anglais. It is among the most expensive hotels in the city, and with good reason: every room offers a panoramic sea view. Its beautiful architectural style is a constant source of inspiration for photographers, and the white façade, crowned with pink domes that look out on the sea, is featured on many a postcard. This gem of a hotel also harbors many treasures inside with rare antique furnishings and exquisite works of art.

Other lovely hotels lining the Promenade include the Westminster, the West-End and the Beau Rivage. For those with more modern tastes, the stylish comfort, central location and sea view of the Meridien is an ideal choice, with the added bonus of the Ruhl Casino on the ground floor. The Radisson hotel is another luxury option, closer to the airport.

The four-star Palais Maeterlinck offers similar standards of excellence, situated further away from the commotion of the city near the pretty village of Villefranche. Overlooking the sea, and with a delightful swimming pool, it has a wonderful atmosphere. The hotel's restaurant, Le Melisande serves some of the very finest French cuisine. The Elysee Palace, on the other hand, captivates the hearts of art lovers. The building spans over two blocks, between which a feminine statue seems to glide—a construction of monumental proportions (26m tall) that is the work of sculptor Sacha Sosso, a leading figure in the Nice School of Art.

Finally, two utterly charming hotels offer an atmosphere of simplicity, the Grand Hotel Aston, overlooking the gardens of Place Massena, and La Perouse, facing the sea just by the Cours Saleya, a lively pedestrianized area full of markets and cafe terraces.

Hotel Apogia is a three star accommodation option close to the peaceful port area. Big hotel chains very centrally located include Holiday Inn on Rue Victor Hugo, and the four Mercure hotels: Mercure Promenade des Anglais, Mercure Centre Notre-Dame, Mercure Nice Californie—a little way out of the centre—and Mercure Nice Marche aux Fleurs. The decor is fairly standard in each of these hotels, but you can't fault them for comfort, service, and reliability.

For travelers with business needs, there is the Kyriad St-Isidore and the Novotel Nice Centre. The Kyriad Saint Isidore is situated near the airport and highways, and the prices are extremely reasonable. The rates are a little higher at the Novotel Nice Centre, which is located between the Palais des Expositions and the Acropolis conference center, and is easily accessible to highways and the airport.

The area around the station also has a large number of hotels. The large hotel, Ibis, with 199 rooms, represents good value for money. This area is also home to some of the more inexpensive accommodation in the city.

Still in the lower price bracket but more centrally located, the following two and three star hotels are well maintained and good values. The beautiful ochre-colored facade of the Paradis Hotel can be found in the pedestrianized precinct. The comfy rooms are very welcoming and some even come with a balcony. Small in size, the Hotel Normandie is both a friendly and comfortable place to stay.