Have tickets to Nice in February with depleting hopes for a romantic getaway at a lovely hotel. I am finding all the good hotels "sold out" due to the combination of Valentine's week, school vacation and a huge conference there. Had hoped for a semi-luxery hotel with balcony and sea view close to the historic section. La Perouse, Westminster and West End, our first choices, are not available. <BR>Would like 1. Opinions on other possible cities to stay we could get to easily with public transportation and 2. Opinions of these available hotels in Nice:<BR>Relais Mecure Marche Aux Fleurs (Ocean View)<BR>Mecure Promenade des Anglais (Ocean View)<BR>Massena<BR>Chateau de Olliers<BR>Are these two worth the high price?:<BR>La Reserve de Beaulieu<BR>Hotel Palais Materlink<BR>Thanks to anyone who can offer help!<BR>

Hi Cathy<BR>What about the Primotel Suisse - it is right next to La Perouse - a three-star and the rooms have balconies and face the water. I was there last November.

Stayed at la Reserve de Beaulieu this summer - overall it was an exceptional property with equally exceptional service. The drawback is that the rooms, though pricey, can be awkward and just slightly small (the bathroom doors bump into each other, etc). The pool area, however, is an absolute dream, with each and every attendant/water incredibly helpful & kind. The concierge was fantastic, and the restaurant (again, expensive) provided for one of our most memorable evenings. I would go back in a heartbeat. If you don't end up staying at La Reserve, make reservations to have lunch there one afternoon (be forewarned, however, i think the club sandwich was 60E).

Hi Cathy,<BR><BR>Sorry you're having so much trouble finding what you want in Nice. I would recommend highly, if you haven't already, contacting the hotel directly by phone. It's amazing what you can accomplish sometimes when you do this in person. We've had good luck this way with the Westminster when it was sold out in July. A hotel that's received many rave reviews on this forum is the Grimaldi, which I believe is located a few blocks from the train station, so therefore not so far from Vieux Nice. I think it's a three-four star hotel, and it seemed to be somewhat cheaper than the Westminster when I last contacted them. Re: Beaulieu and Palais Materlink- my husband and I stayed at La Reserve two years ago. I agree with the poster here who said that the rooms are small. They are also EXPENSIVE. Too, the town didn't offer much. Nice is much more interesting- more variety of restaurants, shops, musuems, etc. Palais Materlink is on the road to St. Jean Cap de Ferrat, and is in my mind, an out of the way location unless you have a car, and/or don't mind spending most of your time at the resort.I wonder if you've checked the Radisson or the Abela, both of which have rooms with balconies? Good luck! Another thought: What about St. Jean Cap de Ferrat? There are some lovely hotels there along the water.

As I mentioned on a post regarding Monaco, Cannes might present an alternative. By car, its only about 25 minutes awaw via highway A8.<BR><BR>We stayed at the Intercontinental. If you wanted something a bit less expensive, the Noga Hilton and the Lucien Barriere hotels are on the Promenade, as well.