Hi Nottingham
Can you please give details of the apartment you stayed in?
We will be in Nice this September, and have just started looking for accommodation there.
Di

Thanks for the update Nottingham. Can you give us the apt. No. onVRBO? We are going in October.

We have visited Nice several times, most recently Sept. 2012. Just retired and will spend 2 weeks in Nice Sept. 2013 in Riviera Pebbles "Marino" apartment (our first apartment experience). There are some days available there in September, plus time in October. My criteria were: balcony, a/c, safe area. Apartment is near La Libertea, a tea shop/cafe located in an attractive upscale shopping street, where we enjoyed several breakfasts last year, so we were pleased to find an apartment nearby. It's in the desirable Carre d'Or section just a few blocks from the Promenade/sea, as well as from the main shopping boulevard, Jean Medecin. The apartment reviews indicated its location is quiet. If my link doesn't work, just Google Riviera Pebbles (seems to be associated with Nice Pebbles mentioned by Jennywren58): https://www.rivierapebbles.com/nice-...t/rentals/125/

We spent 2 nights last year at Juan les Pins, and it's lovely - sand beaches (nice, free public beach), but believe Nice is the better base. It's a good-sized city, but so walkable, with varied neighborhoods, great architecture, a fun, gorgeous market in the Old Town, plus incredible transportation links(train AND inexpensive bus) to the many cities and attractions in this visitor-friendly area of France.

For 4 nights I'd probably be very satisfied with a hotel (simpler to arrange, no scheduling to pick up key, etc.), but know you'll enjoy your stay whichever accommodation you choose.

I think the OP has already been to Nice and back. I'm happy for the info blueridge and will check it out.

We stayed in VRBO #189289...Nice, France--go to www.vrbo.com
pictures-descriptions-information etc. It is a 1br/1bath/kitchen/livingroom/dining area
with full balcony access from those rooms. Comfortable for us...not fancy...building has elevator--and we loved having a VIEW -even 'tho we were not directly on the Promenade.
We would stay there again. We were there in mid- Sept.2012.

Thanks for that, Nottingham - unfortunately it's already booked for our dates! Di

Thank you Nottingham. Looking into it.

Micheline

di - Check out this website. My friend has used them and raves about their apartments.

http://www.nicepebbles.com/

I am staying here in Nice at present vrbo 314257, a great spot, big apartment. Have a look.

Schnauzer

If you don't find one on Nice Pebbles you can try www.Go-Nice.com.

Thanks schnauzer - looks like a lovely property, but we would prefer to be in the old town area.

Happy - Go-Nice may have just the property we're looking for; fingers crossed that the price is right as well!

Di

Schnauzer, I am looking at the apartment (vrbo 314257) where you stayed in June. How did you like the location? Was it close to public transportation? I see that it's on the 3rd floor with no lift - is that the 3rd or 4th floor? Anything else you can add would be appreciated! We are planning to go the end of April, 2014.

Hi, the apt is up two flights of stairs, no great drama unless you have really heavy bags coming in and out. There is a strong smell of cigarettes in the foyer but none in the apartment.

Once I had worked out the buses I realised it was close to the main bus line heading to Antibes etc but you need to change buses if you are going in the opposite direction. See my trip report for all my musings on the public transport system in Nice.

There is a Carrefours in the street behind which is handy. I thought the location was good, Nice is a big town so you will have to walk/bus where ever you stay. I didn't like the old town, way too noisy and crowded for me, I was happy I didn't stay there. One could be a bit more central around Place Massena etc, but also quite busy.

The apartment is very big, light and airy. Terrific bathroom and bed very comfortable. I found every three or four nights the flight path goes right overhead but they obviously rotate the path so it is shared around! The terrace was lovely but no real views as such. I thought the owner could have supplied a few more things in the apt, but all in all it was fine. Take a plastic shopping bag as there was nothing to carry your shopping in. I didn't do any cooking...

Have a read of my report, click on my name and it will come up in reports, it is the most recent one. Scroll down to the Nice week,

Just ask if you need more info. Hope this helped. The entry way to the apt wasn't the flashiest, and the street is a small side street, but the apt is great.

Thanks very much for the info on the apartment. I read your TR - very enjoyable! I had already read the Paris and Lyon parts earlier - was glad I went back and read the Nice part! The apartment sounds very nice. Did you have to put down a deposit - if so, was it refunded quickly?

I paid a deposit by PayPal. I asked later for an update "invoice" and was told to pay cash when I arrived, this included the security deposit of 200 euros. She had misunderstood that I wanted to pay cash and thought I hadn't wanted to pay the security payment by PayPal before I left.... Fine I gave her the cash and she met me the morning I left to give back the 200euro. It would be easier perhaps to do it her way and pay deposit and security by PayPal and the rest in cash when you arrive. She then refunds through PayPal. I had found this apt on slow travel and apparently she gives the deposit back in a timely fashion.

Don't know why we got confused but hope this makes sense. She was very pleasant and accommodating, as there wasn't anyone coming in straight after me and my train wasn't until 2pm she let me leave my bags at the apartment until I was due to go which saved me lugging them around. I thought this a nice touch.

I have looked at both the recommended websites. And they both seem to have non refundable fees. Am I reading it correctly?

http://www.nicepebbles.com

http://www.go-nice.com/

Also - Would you recommend Old Town or Carre d'Or? We are in our 30s and first time to Nice. We will be doing day trips to St. Paul, Cannes, Monaco etc and will be spending a total of 4 nights in the Riveria. We like the option to walk to restraunts at night but would like to avoid being the heart of the touristy area BUT if it is difficult to get to public transport for the day trips from Carre d'Or then Old town might be are only choise? Thank you.