12 Best Hotels in Nice, The French Riviera

Set in a former, 17th-century convent, this old town sanctuary is a masterclass in sustainable luxury and loving restoration—from the elegantly simple but beautifully curated rooms to the Roman-inspired spa with thermal baths, historical character blends seamlessly with modern comforts and amenities. The property also has a charming boulangerie and herboristerie (herbalist shop) and stays true to its eco-conscious ethos by serving natural wines at its bar, terrace, and restaurants. Families are welcome, and there is a daily kids club in summer months. 

Located just steps from the Mediterranean and the Promenade des Anglais, this flagship of the Maison Albar hotels collection is a truly indulgent escape—one where it's worth splurging on a sea-view balcony room so you can open the curtains each day and let the fabled morning light engulf you. Head to the sixth floor Taulissa Restaurant, which seems suspended between the Mercantour mountains and the Mediterranean, for a sunshine soaked breakfast—don’t forget your sunglasses—or a sunset meal. Spots by the rooftop pool and on the expansive terrace are set to become some of Nice's most coveted. The Oria Spa (oria means "gold") really does feel like a hidden treasure, with a sauna, a hammam, a sensorial rain-forest shower, a counter-current pool, a whirlpool tub, and 24K-gold facial treatments. If you absolutely must get in that midnight training session, the fitness suite is open 24 hours.

You'll feel right at home upon entering this French brand's lifestyle hotel, the first to be designed by Benjamin El Doghaïli rather than Philipe Starck, where everything—from the handwritten welcome messages to the free freshly baked cookies—embodies the “Mama loves you" mantra; the decor reflects local art and culture; and the design-led rooms have supercomfortable beds and ample desk space. The rooftop mosaic pool and bar area are among Nice’s coolest spots, and there's live music on Sunday night and DJ sets Thursday through Saturday. Homemade comfort food is the mainstay in the restaurant, where breakfasts (included in some rates, €19 otherwise) features homemade crêpes, jams, and hot chocolate. The unlimited weekend brunch (€42) has kids’ entertainment, allowing parents to relax over generous servings of mousse au chocolat.

The lobby of this Belle Époque extravaganza feels otherworldly (think the white-on-white, Rococo-ed rooms at the end of Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey), and the white-and-cream guest rooms have things like cascading, diamondlike ceiling lights, sculpted rose door handles, and the very latest in push-button luxury. The hotel's Italian restaurant can be hit and miss, but it has a great terrace, and the basement contains one of the most striking spas around (there are even plasma TVs in the saunas, though you don't get to pick the channel).

This white-stucco slice of classic Riviera extravagance accommodates well-heeled guests in elegant, uniquely decorated rooms replete with swagged drapes, fine antiques, and a few quirky touches (like plastic-glitter bathtubs). Built by Henri Negresco and opened in 1912, the landmark still epitomizes La Belle Époque, thanks to its marble columns, gilded ceilings, and qualité du Louvre collection of Old Master art. Its awe-inspiring glass ceiling has even been listed as a historic monument. Chef Virginie Basselot has added some modern touches to the menu at the Michelin-starred Le Chantecler. For less fuss (though still expensive), try the carousel-adorned La Rotonde brasserie. For a taste of the Old Riviera, retreat to the vintage walnut-and-velour bar (the best on the coast) for the cocktail of the month. Indulge for at least one day at the hotel's private beach (loungers €45 for front row) or at the state-of-the-art N Le Spa.

This hotel affords spectacular vistas from the top end of the seafront, where the promenade winds around to the port, so it's oh-so worth splurging on a top-floor balcony room for the sight of the turquoise water glittering below. Rooms provide all the modern comforts and have soothing white-and-beige decor with pops of jewel-tone color.

Fifty meters from the waterfront and the Negresco, this immaculate, modern hotel on a bustling shopping street offers a friendly welcome from its house-proud owners—for a reasonable price. Rooms are small but comfortable, with pops of color, freshly tiled bathrooms, and a coffee corner with a kettle and mug. Breakfast is served in a pretty little courtyard.

Just past old town, at the foot of the château, this secret treasure cuts into the cliff (an elevator takes you up to reception), and the best rooms—including Raoul Dufy's favorite—not only have views of the azure sea, they also look down into an intimate garden dotted with lemon trees. Enjoy a drink at the patio bar or a dip in the cliff-side pool. The excellent restaurant serves meals year-round in a candlelit garden.

Most of the rooms at this memorably eccentric hotel have either frescoes with mythological themes or works that feature an artist's whimsy, but the real draws are the excellent service, the location three blocks from the beach, and the garden—a city-center oasis of lemon, magnolia, palm trees and even exotic birds. Package deals include breakfast or candlelit dinners, but with so many eateries close by, you may not want to tie yourself to on-site meals.

It's hard to believe that this little gem of a hotel, with its own courtyard garden, is smack in the middle of Nice, next to the pedestrian shopping streets and a five-minute walk from the old town. Rooms, with original ceiling molding and chandeliers, are done up in romantic style, and all of them look onto the garden scented with Mediterranean flowers and citrus fruits. This is a find, and owner Marion Hoffman goes out of her way to turn your vacation into a lasting memory.

One block from the beach and two from Place Masséna, this tiny budget hotel has small but bright rooms worthy of a more upscale establishment. The fifth-floor rooms have terraces, which are worth the extra cost; some of them look onto the lively pedestrian street below. Don't be put off by the unappealing ground-floor entrance and apparently rickety elevator, which is common in French buildings.

Not only is this Belle Époque hotel (circa 1890) in the chic Quartier des Musiciens and just a couple of blocks up from the beach, but it has very reasonable rates. Most rooms are on the smallish side, but all have been renovated, and free coffee and tea facilities are provided. Some rooms also have a small balcony.