FRANCE - Best of Europe 2014 - page 516

$$HôtelleRoyal*** isarelaxedresorthotelwith140rooms,biglounges,andhallways
that stretch forever. But the prices are reasonable considering the reliable air-conditioned
comfort and terrific location—and sometimes they have rooms when others don't (view-
less Db-€145-189, seaview Db-€180-205, bigger view room-€200-225 and worth it, extra
person-€25, 23 Promenade des Anglais, tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.hotel-
royal-nice.cote.azur.fr , [e-mail] ).
$$HôtelMassenet*** istuckedawayablockoffthePromenadedesAnglaisinapedes-
trian zone. It has 29 tidy rooms (love the shag carpet) at good rates (small Db-€95, standard
Db-€130-155, larger Db-€160, some rooms with decks, parking-€10, 11 Rue Massenet, tel.
04 93 87 11 31, fax [phone], www.hotelmassenet.com , [e-mail] ).
$$ Hôtel les Cigales***, a few blocks from the Promenade des Anglais, is a smart little
pastel place with tasteful decor, 19 sharp rooms (those with showers are a tad small, most
have tub-showers and are standard size), air-conditioning, and a nifty upstairs terrace, all
well managed by friendly Mr. Valentino, with Veronique and Elaine. Rick Steves readers
whobookdirectlythroughthehotelwebsitegetadiscountbytypingthiscode:RICK(stand-
ardDb-€110-160,Tb-€130-180,freeWi-Fi,16RueDalpozzo, tel.[phone],fax0497
03 10 71, www.hotel-lescigales.com , [e-mail] ) .
$$ Hôtel Gounod*** is behind Hôtel Splendid. Because the two share the same owners,
Gounod's guests are allowed free access to Splendid's pool, Jacuzzi, and other amenities.
Don'tletthelacklusterlobbyfoolyou—mostroomsarecomfortable,withhighceilings(Db-
€170, palatial 4-person suites-€270, air-con, parking-€17, 3 Rue Gounod, tel. [phone]
00, fax [phone], www.gounod-nice.com , [e-mail] ) .
$$ Hôtel Villa Victoria*** is a fine place managed by cheery Marlena, who welcomes
travelers into her spotless, classy old building with an open, attractive lobby overlooking a
sprawling garden-courtyard. Rooms are traditional and well kept, with space to stretch out
(streetside Db-€150, garden-side Db-€180, Tb-€160-185, suites-€210-235, breakfast-€15,
air-con, minibar, Wi-Fi, parking-€18, 33 Boulevard Victor Hugo, tel. [phone], fax 04
93 88 07 98, www.villa-victoria.com , [e-mail] ).
Barely Beyond Nice
$ Villa Saint Exupéry, a service-oriented hostel (they answer the phone in English) is a
haven two miles north of the city center. Its amenities and 60 comfortable, spick-and-span
rooms create a friendly climate for budget-minded travelers of any age. Often filled with en-
ergeticyouth,theplacecanbenoisy.Thereareunitsforone,two,anduptosixpeople.Many
have private bathrooms and views of the Mediterranean—some come with balconies. You'll
also find a laundry room, complete kitchen facilities, and a lively bar. There's easy Internet
access with a wall of computers in the lobby and Wi-Fi in all the rooms (bed in dorm-€30/
person,S-€50-70,Db-€60-90,Tb-€115,includesbigbreakfast,nocurfew,22AvenueGravi-