Luxury and Nice go well together. This gem along the Côte d’Azur, otherwise known as the French Riviera, is the fifth largest city in France, although it has all the charm of a much smaller place. It is the place where painter Henri Matisse settled in 1917, while Marc Chagall lived in Vence, nearby. Both painters have excellent art museums dedicated to their work in the city. Nicknamed Nice the Beautiful (Nice la Belle), aristocracy flocked to the Mediterranean city from the 18th century onwards, when travel became increasingly accessible and less time consuming, with many notable people having spent a vacation along Nice’s gently curving shoreline since then.
Nice’s hotel capacity outstrips any other city in France apart from Paris, making it one of the easiest places in Europe to find a bed for the night. Still a welcoming home for fine culture and haute couture, Nice’s museums, galleries, opera and theatres demand an equally up-market hotel scene, and with boutiques and luxury hotels aplenty, the only challenge is finding the right stay for you. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite five luxury and boutique hotels in Nice, looking at multiple facets, including comfort, location, decoration and value for money.
From €202/ night
True luxury can be found at Hotel Negresco, one of the finest hotels in Nice. Each room has its own unique design, decorated and furnished to the highest standards with bespoke period pieces that match the design motif. La Rotonde, one of Negresco’s onsite restaurants, is a highly recommended fine dining choice that you don’t even need to leave the hotel for. As with the hotel’s rooms, the interior is a suave mix of noble chic blended with curious yet classy modernist touches from the galaxy themed skylight to the white carousel horses occasionally bursting from tables and walls. Better yet, the Le Chantecler restaurant has a Michelin star. For these reasons and more, Negresco stands in high esteem.
From €220/ night
All that exploration and all that culture is the yin to the yang of relaxation. At the Belle Époque Hotel Boscolo Exedra, with its beautiful facade and extensive spa, comfort is paramount. The spa is free for hotel guests and includes a steam room, a fitness centre, and two pools – indoor and outdoor – the latter a rooftop location with excellent terrace views over Nice. When you eventually make it to your room, a range of free toiletries, minibar, bathrobes, and extra-large beds means there’ll be plenty of ways to feel fully rested before the next day of travel.
From €292/ night
There are few hotels in France that offer a stay that feels quite as regal as the rooms of ABA Luxury B&B near Place Masséna. In all there are just four suites at this site, with Venetian furniture, relief carving and decorated cornices, plush furnishings and claw foot bathtubs. The hotel is located right on Massena Square and the Promenade du Paillon, which lead down to the beach and Mediterranean beyond. Rooms also enjoy a kitchenette, fine china and much more. There is daily housekeeping here plus extra goodies on arrival.
From €87/ night
Another excellent boutique collection of suites beside Massena Square is Les Suites Massena. This great boutique option has a modern, minimalist approach to the decor, using earthy tones along with materials like marble and rugs to create a calm, inviting environment. Soundproofing and air conditioning add to the high levels of comfort and cleanliness that have been well regarded by previous guests, but it’s really the location that makes this option a standout. For anybody who wants to be right where the action is at, there are few hotels in Nice positioned closer to the heart of it all.
From €134/ night
Perched between the foot of Colline du Château (Castle Hill) and the rolling waves of the Mediterranean is Hotel Suisse, a cosy hotel that is close to the centre of Nice and far enough removed to offer a little peace and quiet. The best rooms have small balconies looking over the end of Castel Beach, the expanse of shingle at the core of the city. It’s best to request these in advance, particularly in the warmer, most tourism-friendly months. Rooms are light and airy with large beds, air conditioning and flatscreen TVs. There’s also a minibar and laptop safe among other amenities.
