Do I have to stay in a hotel on the promenade des Anglais if I want a room with a decent view and a balcony in Nice? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance.

Janet - was there about 3 year ago and stayed 2 nights in Cannes and 3 in Nice. Although Nice had some nice things about it, I thought Cannes blew it away! Nice is a big city (nice market and museums) but there really wasn't a whole lot of prettiness to it. If you can, go to Cannes (you could stay off the promenade for less expensive hotels)...

I totally disagree Nice is so much nicer than Cannes. We stayed at the Hotel Westend (it is a Best Western) right on the promenade, relatively inexpesive and some rooms have fabulous views of the promenade and the sea. It is a small hotel with a very good restaurant. <BR>Cannes is more glitzy, but Nice in my view, is more charming.The old town in Nice is beautiful. In my view you should pick either Cannes or Nice as your base and stay there, doing day trips to Monaco and other towns.I would stay in St. Tropez for a couple of nights though.

Try the La Villa Victoria, only a few minutes from the Promenade des Anglais, rooms are very nice and has a private beach in the VBale des Angles. It is 3* superior. doubles are between 113 and 152, petit dejenuer buffet is 10.

The Windsor has a lovely garden with balcony rooms overlooking it. It is about 3-4 blocks from the Promenade. It will be about $120 per night. There are probably many hotes that are not on the water which have private gardens.<BR><BR>Why don't you want to stay on the Promenade? Money, Privacy or something else? If it is not money I would have to recommend La Peruse(sp?), right on the water, right next to the old city, and at the bottom of the Chateau.<BR><BR>We stayed at the Gounod last year, a very nice hotel, with a great breakfast. Room was big & clean, staff was friendly, but there was No view. It was about $80, we thought at first we would miss having a view, but the only time we were in the room was at night anyway, so it really didn't matter.

I emphatically agree with those who urge you NOT to stay on the promenade des anglais, unless you want to feel like you're at a beach resort in the US with huge unattractive modern hotels and lots of neon. By all means, stay at any of the hotels recommended by jjj. You'll have a much nicer stay and a truer feel for this marvelous city. IMHO, The only thing Cannes has going for it is its sandy beach. The beach at Nice is all pebbles, but you can rent a beach chair to lie on.

Just got back from NICE last week.<BR>Stayed at the Hotel Windsor in NICE the first three nights. Great Staff, nice garden-but construction was going on accross the street so it was a bit noisy early in the morning. About a 6 minute walk from the beach front and 5 minute walk from the train station.<BR><BR>Cab from the airport to the hotel was 30 Euro's. The went to Provenance for the next 5 days and came back to NICE for the last nite. Stayed at the Suisse hotel overlooking the water with<BR>balcony for about 107 Euro's a nite.<BR>Breakfast was 14 Euro's per person. <BR><BR>Had a million dollar view but balcony was very noisy. Windows were double pane glass so room was quiet if windows were closed. Hotel was fair(Windsor was much nicer) but only go to Suisse if you really need million dollar view.<BR><BR>Best Western West End was a beautiful Hotel near the middle of the strip-about<BR>$200.00 US per nite. It is right next to the Hotel Negresco. There is an internet cafe right near the Best Western on the same side of the street. 2.3 euro's for 15 minutes.<BR><BR>CAB ride from the Suisse Hotel to the airport was also 30 euro's, even though<BR> it was about 2 km's farther than the Windsor. Hope this helps.<BR>

Thanks to everyone for the advice it is much appreciated. <BR><BR>I was torn between Cannes and Nice but it seems that there is more to do and to see in Nice, especially if it is not warm enough to go to the beach(We'll be there 2nd week of June). I will definitely visit Cannes for a day trip though.<BR><BR>I don't really have any problems with staying on the promenade but I thought I might have a more charming/relaxing atmosphere if I stayed off the main tourist strip.<BR><BR>Thanks for the hotel recommendations, I'll check out them all.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

The La Perouse and Hotel Suisse are adjacent to each other, at the east end of the Promenade des Anglais. The view from either hotel, back to the west looking down the curve of the beach, is very nice. They are actually located on the same street, but it changes its name on the east end near the hotels and becomes Quai Rauba Capeau as it bends to the right, then left around the base of the hill. Suisse is a bit lower in cost than La Perouse, and really is just as good. I like the location of both these hotels because they are close to the old town, the chateau, and some nice restaurants.

Hi Janet - I also stayed at the Primotel Suisse right across from the water in Nice last November. I felt since I was in the French Riviera I wanted to be right on the water!

I'm also torn between Nice and Cannes. Anyone have a suggestion as to where to stay in Cannes that would be charming and affordable? or should I just base in Nice and day trip to Cannes?

I too recommend the Hotel Westend, which is central to everything in Nice. I spent a week there a year ago watching the sea, the parasailers and the endless steam of weddings along the Promenade on Saturday afternoon and eveng. Be sure you book the seaview side of the building and be sure you book a room with balcony higher than the second or third floor if you are planning to be there over a Friday or Saturday night. The Hotel has a little bar down at the street level and happy revelers can keep you awake a good chunk of the night if you are not yourself in a partying mood.<BR><BR>

Where did people eat in Nice. I am staying at La Perouse at end of May, and I was thinking of eating at L'Ane Rouge or at the Hotel. Any other ideas or opinions

If you want an inexpensive but VERY memorable pizza or salad nicoise-I would highly recommend Tavern Massena. Wood burning ovens that make the most wonderful pizzas in the world(and I am from Chicago-pizza capital!). The pizza with a glass of the house red wine is to die for!!!! The restaurant is located on Massena Blvd. in the heart of the shopping area-great gelato place across the street.The funny thing is that I was at a parents school function a few months back and someone started talking about Nice-3 different people chimed in about this restaurant.I hope that you enjoy Nice-it was one of our favorite vacations. Do include: St. Paul de Vence,Monaco(you must go to the Monaco aquarium that is located on the water's edge that Jacques Cousteau contributed to-great views from the restaurant on the top overlooking the harbor) and Menton.We took a bus to Monaco one day and then made a day trip on the train to Menton and the Italian coast-great food and scenery.I think that each little town on the Cote d'Azur has something special to offer a visitor-enjoy!

Elfie, we liked the Hotel Splendid in Cannes--right on the port. Hotel Univers (a Best Western) is about midway between the RR station and the port, but Cannes is so small that that is only a few blocks. OTOH, Cannes is only a short distance from Nice, so easily done by day-trip.