We are thinking about a trip that ends near Nice and looking for the "perfect location". We will be traveling by train (and then using some local buses). I have looked a bit at some of the towns in the area and not sure which to chose. - preferably not Nice. Do you have suggestions for towns and specific hotels in that area - hopefully under 200E for a triple - a swimming pool would be nice but is not a deal breaker, needs to be convenient to local public transportation for day trips along the coast or up into the hills. Planning trip for next late May and early June. Thanks!

Why not Nice? Which ones appealed to you?

Yes, why not Nice? I stayed there back in April and enjoyed it much more than I expected. And you can't do better for a transport base. See my TR - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-france.cfm?46

My travel partner for this trip had a bad experience in Nice and has asked that we base elsewhere - I agree that Nice works very well for local transportation but I was trying to find an alternative to keep my partner happy.

Do you mind elaborating what kind of experience it was? Given the type traveling you want to do and local transport needs, your partner is not helping much by banning the one place that would make your planning so much easier. Ask him to plan it instead....

Anyways, Villefranche Sur Mer, Juan les Pins, Cannes...they can be lesser alternatives to Nice....

Hi suec1,

I never have a car, and I spent a few days in Beauliue sur Mer once, in the hotel you can see in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." It was very easy to get both east and west on the trains from there.

But I do think if I were doing it again, I would stay in Villefranche --

Have fun!

s

Here is the website for the Hotel Welcome in Villefranche. I have had breakfast there several times. I did not stay there as I had rented a villa. The prices may not be what you are looking for..
http://www.welcomehotel.com/anglais/index.htm

Joan

Oh I love Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! Do you remember the name of the hotel or do you think I can find it by putzing around on the internet?

Right now, Hotel Welcome is on my list of possiblities but I poosted this looking for other (maybe cheaper) options.

And the difficult travel partner is my (really) dear daughter - I am the planner and am doing my best to make up both happy with the travel plans.

Here is another hotel in Villefranche..maybe someone will know something about it for you
http://www.hotel-la-flore.fr/index-gb.htm

Good luck

Joan

Hi again,

Yes, it was the Metropole

www.le-metropole.com/uk/

It's apparently closed now until 2012 for renovations -- but it hardly matters. At that time I was still working, and could hardly afford it, and only then a "garden" view (one palm tree!) room. It was pretty steep.

Good luck!

s

topping for the weekend posters - I am still looking for suggestions for a town AND hotel.Merci!