FRANCE - Best of Europe 2014 - page 514

Between Nice Etoile and the Sea
These hotels are either on the sea or within an easy walk of it, and are the closest to Vieux
Nice. For locations, see the map on here .
$$$ Hôtel la Perouse****, built into the rock of Castle Hill at the east end of the bay,
gets my vote for Nice's best splurge. This refuge-hotel is top-to-bottom flawless in every
detail—from its elegant rooms (satin curtains, velour headboards) and attentive staff to its
rooftop terrace with Jacuzzi, sleek pool, and lovely garden restaurant. Sleep here to be
spoiled and escape the big city (garden-view Db-€325, seaview Db-€480, good family op-
tions and Web deals, free Wi-Fi, 11 Quai Rauba Capeu, tel. [phone], fax [phone]
41, www.hotel-la-perouse.com , [e-mail] ).
$$$ Hôtel Masséna***, in a classy building two blocks from Place Masséna, is a “pro-
fessional” hotel (popular with tour groups) with 110 rooms at almost-reasonable rates and
way-mod public spaces (small Db-€199, larger Db-€289, still larger Db-€339, skip the €20
breakfast, call same day for special rates—prices drop big time when hotel is not full, sixth-
floor rooms have balconies, reserve parking ahead-€30/day, 58 Rue Gioffredo, tel. 04 92 47
88 88, fax [phone], www.hotel-massena-nice.com , [e-mail] ) .
$$$ Hôtel Suisse***, below Castle Hill, has Nice's best sea and city views for the
money, and is surprisingly quiet given the busy street below. Rooms are quite comfortable,
the decor is tasteful, and the staff helpful. There's no reason to sleep here if you don't land
a view, so I've listed prices only for view rooms—many of which have balconies (Db-
€175-220, extra bed-€36, breakfast-€15, Wi-Fi, 15 Quai Rauba Capeu, tel. [phone],
fax [phone], www.hotels-ocre-azur.com , [e-mail] ) .
$$ Hôtel Mercure Marché aux Fleurs**** is ideally situated across from the sea and
behindCoursSaleya.Roomsaretastefullydesignedandwell-maintained(somewithbedsin
a loft). Prices are reasonable, though rates vary dramatically depending on demand—check
their website for deals. Don't confuse this Mercure with the four other branches in Nice
(standardDb-€170,superiorDb-€200andworththeextraeuros,seaview-€50extra,air-con,
91 Quai des Etats-Unis, tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.hotelmercure.com ,
[e-mail] ).
$$ Hôtel Vendôme*** gives you a whiff of the belle époque, with pink pastels, high
ceilings, and grand staircases in a mansion set off the street. Its public spaces are delightful.
The rooms are modern and come in all sizes; the best have balconies (on floors 4 and
5)—request une chambre avec balcon (Sb-€115-130, Db-€150-180, Tb-€180-200, prices
vary with demand, check website for deals, breakfast-€15, air-con, Internet access and Wi-
Fi, book ahead for limited parking-€15, 26 Rue Pastorelli at the corner of Rue Alberti, tel.
04 93 62 00 77, fax [phone], www.vendome-hotel-nice.com —useless website except
to make reservation, [e-mail] ). For location, see map on here .