Oh, you’re going to Nice? That’s… fantastic! The fifth largest city in France is also one of the country’s best coastal tourist destinations. It’s on the Cote d’Azur but lacks the snootiness of its neighbours (St Tropez, Monaco, we’re looking at you), and beneath rustic Provence, but nowhere near as provincial. Plus, summer pretty much gets underway there in March and doesn’t let up until October. And while it’s true that the city was hit by tragedy in the 2016 Bastille Day attacks, it has shown remarkable resilience in keeping the party going.
Being a top tourist destination means that there are plenty of hotels to choose from at both ends of the financial spectrum. For those of you wanting to save your money for the casinos, though, we at TravelMag have searched long and hard to find the best bargains on (and near) the beach!
From €70/ night
If views and culture are your thing, then the Hotel Floride is an ideal choice. Situated a little off from the town centre in the town’s hilltop neighbourhood of Cimiez, it’s within a walking distance of two world class art museums (dedicated to the work of Matisse and Chagall) and the Cimiez monastery. The Old Town and beachside promenade, meanwhile, are but a hop skip and a jump away. The hotel offers a full deck of amenities from TVs in all rooms, free WiFi, and breakfast terrace providing the very best way to start the day.
From €72/ night
Situated in a beautiful in a beautiful old property that exudes the warm blush of the far French south, this hotel is right in the centre of things: paddling distance practically from the beach and less than a minute from Place Masséna – Nice’s main town square. For all its traditional charm, however, there’s no skimping on the mod-cons. All rooms come with flat-screen satellite TVs as standard, and air-conditioning: handy on those hot summer nights.
From €55/ night
What’s known in the trade as a real bargain, the Hotel des Dames offers all anyone could hope for from a budget hotel. It’s centrally located in a charming building with lovely old fashioned shutters, which offers some rooms with balconies, a breakfast terrace, and mercifully powerful A/C to keep the heat at bay. Add to that, the staff here have a fantastic reputation of being both friendly and accommodating, and the only trick is to book early enough to that they still have rooms left!
From €57/ night
Clean, comfortable and calming, this modern interior in an old building on a quiet back street barely 12 minutes from the beach front is a terrific base from which to explore the bustling, vibrant city, with its double-glazed windows and air conditioning being ideal if you need to shut out the hubbub after a long day. It’s fully kitted out with all the amenities you’d expect from a three-star hotel, with the friendly staff a welcome extra.
From €40/ night
With the beach and Old Town just a short walk away, this represents the archetypal town-centre hotel for those on a long weekend looking for convenient exploring opportunities. Given its central location, the soundproofed rooms make absolutely sure you won’t be disturbed by the town’s buzz going on outside, keeping it close at hand to stride out into should the mood take you and the rhythm catch. There are even balconies should you want to peer halfway into the action. A truly nice bargain.
