Hello! Has anyone stayed at this resort? I am debating on whether I should use my starpoints to have a free stay. Take a look -
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeri...ropertyID=1918

Also, is the promenade in Nice really off of an 8 lane highway? I have heard conflicting things about Nice - some say it is beautiful and charming and others say it is dirty, noisy, etc. I know everyone has their own opinions....

Nice's promenade is fronted by a large and busy steet, though I do not recall it being 8 lanes (!) at the point where the beach and all the hotels meet. I opted for a hotel off the promenade to save money, as the hotels proximity to the water was not so convenient, and the views of most of the rooms could not be guaranteed to be unobstructed, and facing the gorgeous blue water. If you have a free stay, by all means, take advantage! I really enjoyed the old town, hiking up with cliff streets and seeing the view from the park, but the food (gnocci in particular) is what stands out about Nice. I was only there for 2-3 nights, but I would have loved to take a day trip to some of the wine region to the north.

The place where the hotel is located, at the intersection of Promenade des Anglais and Avenue de Verdun, is a very busy intersection. If you look at the google map, the area is a modern beach promenade.

Nice has charming places, but not at this intersection.

You can look for yourself on Google Maps. Type in Le Meridien, Nice France. You can zoom in on the satellite view. You can see a street level view. There are links to 400+ reviews.

Parts of any city are dirty and noisy, of course, Nice is a huge city. There is one hotel at the top of the bluff which wouldn't be too noisy, I bet. La Perouse maybe, something like that.

I think McDonald's is just next door from Le Meridien.

Do not miss a chance to go to Nice. We are enchanted with it's great restaurants, market, beautiful sea front promenade and its easy access to surrounding perched villages such as Eze and St.Paul de Vence (my favourite).

Scatcat - are you serious? Oh goodness!

IMO Nice is alot like Miami Beach in a Euro sort of way. It is huge! sprawls on forever. Along the sea there is a very wide and long promenade - when you are on it, looking out at the very blue water or at the well-oiled and scantily clad tourists below you will not feel you are walking along an 8 lane highway - but it is busy. It is not sandy. There are clubs where you can rent chairs and have a meal. If you want a busy place, like Miami Beach, its for you. There is an old town with lots of cafes and a market. I have never been to Cannes - I have been to Antibes - I think they are both a bit more, hmmm, charming? less hectic. But the whole area is a great place to hang out!

Serious-the McDonald's faces the water. I'm fairly certain that it is the Le Meridien. There is always a doorman there on the sidewalk. It is a nice area. I don't think you will be disappointed.

I have stayed there. Its nothing special. Actually I thought it was a bit more worn than other LeMeridian properties where I have stayed.

The beaches across from the hotel are pebbles; we used the rooftop pool. Be aware its topless. The food there was very good though I remember.

There is also a flea market a few blocks from the hotel on Saturdays I think.

Le Méridien (4*), Casino Ruhl, Mercure (3* same accor group) and McDonald's all in the same building.

> Actually I thought it was a bit more worn than other LeMeridian properties where I have stayed.
I think Queenie is right. Read tripadvisor.com's review. It's a bit mixed.

Thank you for all the inside tips. After reading all the advice, I have decided not to use my points on this hotel. I don't think it is worth it. Thanks again!!