South of France help
 

We are planning on being in Nice in very early October. Since I would like to use my AMEX benefits, I am looking at two hotels. Arantara Plaza Nice and
Hotel Palais de la Mediterranee. Is anyone familiar with these hotels?

We also plan to be in Provence for a few days. Looking for suggestions for a hotel. We do not need anything grand, Anyone have any ideas?

Merci beaucoup
D

Provence is huge. I think you need to be more specific.

Thinking of staying in Avignon or Aix en Provence

One of my favorite places I've ever stayed is this place in Eygalieres.
Chambres d'hôtes en Provence et Gîtes de Luxe - Mas Notre Dame
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1beeb54bc7.jpg
View from my room


If you want to be in town, I loved this place in Arles (with easy garage parking a short walk away)
https://www.lecalendal.com/
The Hotel Le Calendal (and spa)

The breakfast was there was very good with lots of options and beautiful seating in their patio area

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f283b81e02.png
Loved soaking in the spa with the Roman arena just feet away

I would choose Aix over Avignon every time.

starrs points out two important possibilities, Arles is indeed exceptional. Plus staying out in the landscape (instead of a city) is also a great call. With a car, staying a city doesn't make as much sense.

I like to do a mix - countryside and town/ city.

On my first trip to France we took the TGV from Paris to Avignon. We stayed in a small hotel within the walls of the city for two nights. Didn't love the hotel but loved staying in the "old" part of the city. Then we took a cab back to the train station to pick up a rental car. That taxi driver was the ONLY person I've encountered in France who didn't (or pretended to not) understand us at all. In any case, have your destination written down on a piece of paper to hand to the driver so there is no confusion. He took us to the old train station instead of the new one, but I digress.

It was super easy to pick up the rental car (I always use Hertz) and I'm just happier when I'm driving out in the countryside. I like easy parking - although the parking garage suggested by the hotel was an easy option. That hotel and that trip was a "wandering" kind of trip that started in Marseille and included several stays including Arles, the fabulous mas in the countryside, a beach location and then a week at a villa (for a cooking class).

I know Aix has lots of fans. I'm not sure why I've not stayed there yet.

I tend to take personal recommendations of people I "trust" who have similar travel styles. For the past 20+ years, that's been mostly Fodorites. One in particular, now IRL friend, always has the perfect house museum to visit on any given trip. We all have different travel styles.