Where to Stay in Nice, France: Editor’s Picks

Nice is an amazing city and most hotels are within walking distance of both the Old Town and the sea. When choosing where to stay, remember that most of Nice’s hotels are older. Most all have been recently renovated, but the style could be a bit out-dated.  Our ‘where to stay’ options are organized by star ranking, beginning with 5-star hotels and ending with featured budget hotels. Special attention has been give to hotels in Nice offering free WiFi.

5-Star Hotels in Nice

Le Palais de la Mediterranee
This palace-cum-hotel has one of the best locations in town: It stands above the Bay of Angels on the Promenade des Anglais. The staff is a true 5-star staff: accountable and efficient. There are 176 guest rooms and 12 suites, and all come with complimentary WiFi, spacious wardrobes, and Annick Goutal beauty products. Amenities include an onsite bar, 24-hour room service, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, sauna, and Turkish bath. There’s an on-site casino where concerts and other live performances are also held. The on-site restaurant serves French haute cuisine in a fine-dining atmosphere.

Boscolo Exedra Nice
Featuring chic décor inside of a historical building, this unique hotel is located on Boulevard Victor Hugo in central Nice. The 113 rooms feature white fabrics, ivory and white marble, which creats a tranquil ambience. Each room comes with luxurious bath products and high-speed internet. Amenities include a fitness center, spa, Turkish sauna, swimming pool, free WiFi in the lobby, the Genesi Bar, and La Pescheria Restaurant, which serves Italian cuisine. During the summer months, guests can enjoy a private section of the Ruhl Plage beach. The only downside of this hotel is that the service can sometimes be subpar.

4-Star Hotels in Nice

Mercure Nice Marche aux Fleurs
This fairly priced hotel is all about location. Just steps from the Bay of Angels and Marche aux Fleurs on the Cours Salaya, the hotel is a short walk from Nice’s major sights. The rooms are quiet and come with air conditioning, WiFi (though the connection can be patchy), and there is an on-site bar and lounge. We found the rooms to be of adequate size and the bathrooms up to date. Some rooms are duplex, with the bed upstairs and the sitting area and bathroom downstairs. (If you need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, this is not the room for you.) The hotel serves breakfast, but you can save money by visiting one of the nearby boulangeries. For the largest room, choose one on ground level. Note that the hotel does not have an elevator.

Hotel La Perouse
La Perouse is built beside the sea in a one-time mansion. It is about a half- mile from the old town. The hotel offers a wide range of rooms and suites, and all rooms come with complimentary high-speed internet or WiFi (sometimes spotty), individualized air conditioning, and marble bathrooms. Amenities include an outdoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, solarium, fitness center, and the Le Patio restaurant and bar, which serves Mediterranean-style cuisine. The Old Town is a 15-minute walk away. This is one hotel where a sea view is imperative. Breakfast is served daily.

Le Grimaldi
This charming hotel is centrally located, and almost everything in Nice is within walking distance. The 46 rooms and junior suites are soundproofed and individually decorated; all are inspired by the soft hues of Provence. You won’t forget you’re in France in this hotel. Each room has air conditioning and complimentary WiFi. A continental breakfast is offered in two large salons. We loved the charm and friendliness of this little hotel. For great views, request a room on an upper floor, but note that the elevator is a bit small.

3-Star Hotels in Nice

Hipark Nice
Offering hotel services in roomy apartments and featuring clean and comfortable furnishings, this hotel is an especially good value for travelers staying in Nice for several days and who want to eat some meals in. Each of the 111 apartments, some of which can accommodate up to six adults, comes with broadband internet and a fully equipped kitchen. Amenities include free WiFi in public areas, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and a continental breakfast, which is served daily for an additional charge. The many services offered by the hotel include dry cleaning, babysitting, massages, and beauty care. The staff is conscientious and friendly. The Old Town is within walking distance, and the sea is a 25-minute walk away.

Hotel Windsor Nice
Located near the Promenade des Anglais, this quiet hotel and spa offers a relaxing environment with a focus on art. The “artist rooms” are named after famous artists and feature their artworks. The “rooms with frescoes” feature walls adorned with paintings. Amenities include a chic bar, a restaurant serving French cuisine, a private garden with a pool and a parrot, a spa, weight room, and Turkish sauna. The hotel features revolving art shows, too. A breakfast buffet is served daily for an extra charge, and the restaurant features prix fix dinners. Request a room that overlooks the garden. Complimentary WiFi is offered in the rooms but is sometimes patchy.

Hotel Villa Les Cygnes
This boutique hotel is located on Baumettes Hill near the Promenade des Anglais, and it is an especially good option for travelers who enjoy chatting it up with the locals: The owners are friendly and out-going. It is located inside of a three-story house and has six rooms total. The atmosphere is more B&B-like than hotel-like. Each room features detailed woodwork, high ceilings, large windows that let in the sun, and complimentary WiFi. There is a lovely garden and a continental-style breakfast is served daily. The sea is a 5-minute walk away, and it takes 25 minutes to reach the Old Town.

Budget Hotels in Nice

Also, check out this guide to the Best Hostels in Nice

Villa Saint Exupery Hostel
Voted one of the best hostels in the world multiple times, this hostel has two locations in Nice. Ideal for value-oriented travelers, the hostel is functional and cheap but note that it can be quite noisy because it caters to large groups. The Garden Hostel is located in a converted monastery and has a private garden but it is a very long walk into town. It provides a free shuttle bus that runs until midnight. Travelers who want to be centrally located should stay in the Beach Hostel, which is near Nice’s main square; the beach is 50 yards away. Both hostels offer dormitory-style accommodations as well as singles, doubles, triples, and quadruples. All rooms have free WiFi, and the list of free things offered by the hostels is extensive, including free city tours. A kitchen and outdoor grill area are available to guests. There is no curfew and the bar serves incredibly cheap drinks.

Hotel Star 2-Star
This hotel combines a great location with a great price. Tucked away in a nice neighborhood with plenty of restaurant options, the hotel is a ten-minute walk to the Old Town and a fifteen-minute walk to the Promenade des Anglais. The rooms are small but functional; they were renovated in 2011 and are outfitted with new furniture. Each of the rooms features soundproof windows, air conditioning, and complimentary WiFi. The staff goes out of its way to help travelers get the most out of their stay, such as offering complimentary beach towels when available. Note that there isn’t an elevator.

Nice Garden Hotel 2-Star
A short stroll from the old town and beach, this charming hotel has nine non-smoking rooms. The rooms are spacious by Europe standards and all have individual air conditioning and WiFi internet access. The modern bathrooms have showers. There is also a charming garden that offers a quiet respite from the busy city. With just a 15 minute  walk to the main train station, it is easy to take a day trip to Monaco and Cannes or many other cote d’ Azur destinations. The best part is the warm welcome from the owner, Marion and her friendly and efficient staff.

Written by Mattie Bamman for EuropeUpClose.com