Where to stay in Nice, France?
 

We are travelling mid-April to mid-May to Corsica, Sardinia, Rome and Florence. To get to Corsica we will fly into Nice and have one day there, 2 nights. Any suggestions on where to stay? Mid-price range, neither too expensive, nor too budget.

We were really happy with the Hotel Gounod last September. Large room and large bathroom, great breakfast included, good location, and the price was if I remember correctly around $100 or less a night. I believe they have a web site.

Splurge and stay at the Negresco, it is stunning and in a great location. I think we paid $275 per night last year and felt it was well worth it. The Meridian (we checked in, saw the room, and checked out) was an abomination. Negresco desk clerks were fantastic and friendly, the room was a good size with wonderful furnishings and fabrics, comfortable bed, and an absolutely gigantic bathroom. Right across the street from the beach, and a short stroll to 'old' Nice. Have fun!

I also stayed at the Negresco. You can't beat the location, altough I thought the carpets were a little worn and I saw peeling paint around door and window frames. <BR><BR>The bad thing about the Negresco was that they have OVERPROTECTIVE doormen. I constantly had to show my room key just to get into the lobby. More than once I was asked if I was a guest of the hotel. I got so mad that I said, "What if I wasn't?? You mean to tell me that the lobby is not open to the public?" I guess they don't like people wandering in to look around if they are staying there. I think this is ridiculous. What if you wanted to use the phone or go to the bar??

We have stayed at the Splendid, on the corner of Meyerbeer and Victor Hugo. It is a good location and only a few blocks walk to the beach. It is a bit worn but decent and very adequate. Breakfast is served on the top floor with a wonderful view of the surronding area. We also stayed at the Atlantic on Victor Hugo. This a very lovely old hotel in the process of being refurbished. The lobby is very beautiful and the restored rooms are lovely. The street is tree lined and safe and within walking distance to most everywhere.Breakfast is served in a large dining on the first floor and is quite good. The front desk staff is most professional and helpful. A bus nearby takes you up to the Matisse and Chagall Museums. Have fun! Nice is wonderful.

Somehow I don't consider $275 mid-price, but there you go. We stayed last year at the Primotel-Suisse on the bay south of old town. It was 620FF/night (under $100) with view and we booked via e-mail on their website, which seems to be defunct. However, their e-mail might still be <BR>[email protected] You can also do a web search for photos and/or booking agents.<BR><BR>Also right next door and a little more upscale is the Perouse, a Best Western.<BR><BR>Book Chick wrote last June "I had the pleasure of staying in a fabulous two-star hotel at 101 Promenade des Anglais, called the Hotel Flots D'azur. Rooms were clean, air-conditioned, had TVs & phones & ensuite bathrooms. The hotel had a wonderful, helpful multi-lingual staff. We had a room with a view that looked out over the water. Breakfast is served outdoors on the terrace for a small additional fee, and the view is fantastic. Room rates were quite reasonable. They share a reservation service with some other hotels & have a toll-free phone service of 877-246-9781. When you first phone, you'll hear a French recording--hang in there & it will also be delivered in English. The fax# is 33 4 93.18.56.51. It's a small hotel, just 21 rooms, very reasonably priced for all you get."<BR><BR>I liked staying on the bay and near old town and its restaurants and markets.<BR>

Almost stayed at Hotel Windsor but had to cancel last SEPTEMBER...check it out

Well, John G, thanks for the heads up about the Negresco. We'd planned on having a drink at the bar, admittedly for the chance to see the Salon Royal, does this mean no-non guests into the bar and lobby area at all, under any circumstances?

There is a seperate, outside entrance to go to the bar, but when you leave, use the back entrance that leads to the lobby. It is terrible the tricks you have to use to see the inside of a hotel lobby. Sheesh!<BR><BR>Of course, if you are wearing a mink coat and dripping with diamonds and you have an Hermes shopping bag with you, the doorman will probably not stop you from entering by the main entrance. Just act and look like you are staying there. When I was stopped, I was coming from the beach and was in a t-shirt, shorts, and Nikes.

I stayed at two different hotels in Nice last May. The Hotel West End, upscale and right next door from the Negresco. Not sure about the price , I think maybe 175ish. Location was to me ok, and the room was nice, but nothing to brag about for the money. I actually saw three different rooms before I was satisfied with what was offered to me. I much preferred the Primotel Suisee (Hi Sue!!) Loved the location, best view of any hotel other that La Perouse. The rooms were great, good size , comfortable, nice bathroom. Very nice balcony with table and chairs. To me, for the money it was a no brainer. For the few nights at the end of my trip that I was at Hotel West End, paying big $$$, I would look longingly down the beach to Primotel Suisee. This hotel also shared a great private beach with La Perouse. I loved Nice!! PS, staff was great. Our luggage did not arrive for 3 days, and the staff called the airline constantly to help us out. Also, we decided after living with only an extra set of clothing for 3 days, that we had brought way too many clothes. They let us leave a suitcase at the hotel, locked up, that we picked up 2 weeks later on our return to Nice.

My fiance and I stayed at Le Petit Palais. If I am ever back in Nice I am definitely going back. It's about 10 minutes drive from the Promenade in the residential Cimiez area. I prefer the quiet. What makes it special is the breathtaking views of the Mediterrenean combined with the intimate setting. It's isolated and very romantic. The house used to belong to tbe Russian-French writer Sacha Guitry. The service is wonderfully friendly and the rates reasonable. Perfect if you want to get away with the one you love, but make sure to get the room with the view of the sea.

We had a lovely stay at the Hotel le Grimaldi. Our Superior double was less than $150; our kids' Standard double was less than $125. It's halfway between the beach and the train station.

Hi. Just an add on to the Negresco rudeness. We were taking Rive Steve's advice and were going to check out the lobby but "No, no" said the doorman. You know, the guy with the funky knee socks going on. (Just what period in time was that outfit supposed to represent?) I was embarrased but he did agree to take his picture with me. But still no entrance. Anyway, we didn't see inside the Negresco but quickly left anyway since it turned us off. We antiqued instead and shopped and did other sight seeing. We too looked into some of the above hotels, until my friend recommended we stay in Villefranche instead. It was as she said, more picturesque like some of us Americans think of the Cote d Azur. I was happy with our choice right on the water in Villefranche.