For many of us, Nice is the airport to arrive and depart from the Côte d’Azur. It is also a vibrant coastal city with a lovely old town, plenty of cafes and bistros, and well worth a visit.
With the Olympics and post-Covid demand meaning more traditional hot spots are filling up, this could be the year to spend a few days in Nice. Its top hotels and best suites are the subject of this feature story.
1. Le Negresco
2. Hôtel La Pérouse
3. Anantara Plaza Nice
4. Hyatt Regency Nice Palais
1. Le Negresco
Forbes Travel Guide writes, “Le Negresco isn’t the only graceful hotel in Nice, of course, but it may be its most fascinating. The property’s enthralling backstory — the 1913-constructed hotel was the idea of Henri Negresco, a charismatic maître d’hôtel/head waiter, but it didn’t blossom into the elegant address we know today until it was purchased by Jeanne Augier in the late 1950s — sets the tone for a visit. It was Augier’s opulent (if not a bit eccentric) predilection for mink bedspreads or dapperly attired doormen that has made the pink-domed hotel a must-visit for royals, Hollywood’s elite and well-heeled globetrotters. Le Negresco’s art collection features classical and contemporary, spanning five centuries of French history dedicated to talent and great masters, a concept created and developed by Augier. But the 128-room jewel box isn’t content with merely being a showroom of gilded furnishings and lavish chandeliers, and it proudly demonstrates this by equipping rooms with flat-screen TVs and other up-to-the-second technological treats.”
The Telegraph adds, “Occupying a stately spot along the curving Promenade des Anglais, this seafront hotel gazes over the beach from across the street. Next door, the landscaped gardens of the Musée Masséna give the area a generally verdant feel (visit the museum for local history and Napoleonic memorabilia). Many restaurants and shops sit right on the doorstep, and it’s just a five-minute walk to Nice’s Old Town.”
Marie Antoinette Suite
The 2,150 sq. ft. Marie Antoinette Street offers a living room, separate dining, room, private office, and terrace overlooking the Med.
More suites at Le Negresco.
2. Hôtel La Pérouse
Conde Nast Traveler writes, “Talk about location. Carved into the rock, flush with Nice’s leafy hilltop Parc du Château, this artfully reinvented 50-room landmark hotel sits above the seafront Promenade des Anglais from the city’s most enviable vantage point. Steps away from the cobblestone labyrinth of Old Town, you wake to birdsong and a sweeping view—red-tiled rooftops, a dazzling swathe of turquoise and the cerulean sky. Add to that the stylish Riviera 50s-inspired uncluttered interiors by Studio Friedmann and Versace that bring the sea inside—coral-shaped ceramic lamps, shell-patterned tapestry headboards, beachy ocher and white striped curtains and armchairs — plus the new citrus-tree shaded Patio, a Mediterranean-style restaurant headed by chef Damien Andrews. Highlight: cocktails on your terrace at magic hour, when the lamps blink, and the curve of the Bay of Angels turns into a shimmering pearl necklace.”
The Telegraph writes, “Sheltered by a rocky promontory, La Pérouse provides a peaceful haven just moments from the bustle of central Nice. Fresh from a thoughtful renovation, this four-star hotel delivers on luxury from its rooftop hot tub to its cliffside pool and sauna. The bird’s-eye views over the Baie des Anges are second to none. This central hotel offers the ultimate Nice location, straddling the old town and the port district, on Castle Hill. It’s a 30-second stroll to the famed beachside Promenade des Anglais, and a five-minute walk to the Cours Saleya marketplace with its cafés, restaurants, and shops.”
Mediterranean Suite
The most spectacular accommodation at La Pérouse Hotel is 1,475 sq. ft. offering a private terrace with a hot tub, sun loungers and a bistro dining set. In the marble bathroom, which also boasts a sea view, are a freestanding soaking tub and separate rain shower.
More suites at Hôtel La Pérouse.
3. Anantara Plaza Nice
Travel + Leisure writes, “This sophisticated opening, which also happens to be Anantara’s first foray into France, is all set to change Nice as just an airport to fly in and out. After a four-year renovation of a majestic and imposing 492-feet-long Belle Epoque building, separated from the waterfront by the Jardins Albert 1er gardens, the launch heralds the arrival of a global name in luxury hospitality in the city.”
Conde Nast Traveler adds, “Centrally located in Nice’s Golden Triangle and steps away from the sea, this artfully renovated landmark hotel is the city’s first-of-a-kind luxe property: an elegant medley of muted earth tones, contemporary curvy lines and sweeping views, with 151 rooms and 38 suites, plus a sun-drenched rooftop terrace bar (try the wildly creative craft cocktails) and restaurant, SEEN by Oliver, with an innovative menu of Asian-inspired meets Niçois fusion of flavors and traditional recipes, headed by executive chef Denis Gamard. High points: the spa, which features an extensive menu of re-boosting treatments with organic seaweed and essential oils from small family-run companies and wine-tasting at Château de Crémat, in the nearby hills.”
Albert 1st Suite
This 1,173 sq. ft. suite features chic living and dining spaces with silk wallpaper, Italian walnut floors and Belle Epoque’ style furnitures. Enjoy your private celebrations on a spacious terrace.
More suites at Anantara Plaza Nice.
4. Hyatt Regency Nice Palais
U.S. News reports, “The Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée’s 187 guest rooms and suites, which feature beige and white decor, are equipped with free Wi-Fi access, LED TVs, minibars, and marble bathrooms. Dining options at this hotel include Le 3e restaurant for an upscale meal, the terrace for a meal with a view, and a bar, which offers drinks and a selection of tapas. Other on-site amenities include a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, and a Turkish bath.
Penthouse Suite
The 1,290 sq. ft Penthouse Suite offers one king bed and a large separate living room with dining area. It has an alcove for relaxation fitted with a queen-size bed. The suite also features a bathroom with a bidet, two separate toilets, and a spacious furnished terrace with a panoramic view of the sea.
More suites at Hyatt Regency Nice.
