My wife and I decided to make a quick 3-day holiday to the French Riviera in 2 weeks (our first visit to the area). We're flying into Nice. We're not going to get caught up in itinerary detail -we'll just rent a car and play it by ear. We're looking for 50% sun and relaxation and 50% stroll and cruise. That said, where should we base ourselves? Nice? Monte Carlo? St Paul de Vence? Somewhere else?

Hotel suggestions would also be helpful (we'd like to stay under EUR 300 per night). Thanks

SouthKensington..

I happen to LOVE St Tropez--the town is small, quaint, meandering streets with tons of shops, outdoor artists, bistros and there is also the beach at a few resorts or up in the hills overlooking the sea....

ST. Tropez is a big trip from the Nice airport. For a 3 day trip, I think it's much too far. Just my opinion.

Everyone has their idea of what's best in the area. I'm partial to St. Paul de Vence (La Colombe D'Or, Le Hammeau, Le St Paul) but it's not down by the water but up in the hills. It's a very small town but has it's charm and these places all have lovely pools (the one at the Colombe D'or is heavenly imo).

Many on this site like staying in Nice. You have the beach (rocky not sandy), the Promenade des Anglaises for your strolls, the Cours Saleya market, good train connections (so you wouldn't have to rent a car if you didn't want to)..

I've also stayed in Villefranche which is a nice compromise, just outside Nice, near Monaco. Beaulieau is right next door and has some lovely hotels too.

On a trip like this, I might opt for two nights at the Versdailles in Villefranche sur Mer and the last in St Paul de Vence, where we have enjoyed our stays at the St Paul.

Villefranche is a lovely spot, and the reasonably priced hotel has rooms with private balconies facing the bay, and a pool.

St Paul de Vence is about 25 minutes away from the Nice airport.

You are in London? Then consider a future trip to St Jean de Luz, flying into Biarritz. Best place to in the charming Basque town is the Grand Hotel, right on the promenade and the sandy beach and a short walk to the town center with its numerous shops and restaurants. This is the perfect place to relax without any of the crowds and traffic of the Riviera.

We just returned and stayed just outside St Paul at La Grande Bastide. It was handy to the train station in Cagnes Sur Mer so we sidetripped to Monaco,Cannes,Avignon. I really liked La Grande Bastide and it was pretty reasonably priced. We got the duplex suite with views of the sea in the distance and large living room area and two terraces.