Best Hotels in Old Nice 2024
An insider look at the best hotels in Old Nice, both on and off the beaten path, from five-star chic to some surprising budget hotel options… with interactive map!
Hotels in the Heart of the Old Town
Just opened! The 5-star 88-room luxury Hotel du Couvent just opened, and what a surprise! The ancient Convent of the Visitation was a purposely stark abode for pious nuns in medieval times. The nuns are long gone and the convent has been boarded up for decades, but nevertheless the locals fought tooth-and-nail to stop this project, fearing that the introduction of an ostentatious rich-person’s resort would forever alter the authenticity of the old town. After years of delays, it finally opened in June 2024, and to everyone’s surprise, the sprawling complex is so discrete that the entry is practically hidden! The hotel is remarkable for its fidelity to the history and architecture, but also for its resistance to the typical trappings of luxury hotels. It feels like a convent, a spiritual place, an oasis, like a meditation, as if you discovered a secret garden where you instantly feel the history in your bones. It’s rare to find a hotel with such a sense-of-place: the guestrooms are austere yet elegant, the spa evokes Roman baths, the terraced gardens beg to be strolled, the restaurants use antique linens and vintage glassware …and grow their own food! Then when you’re blissed up and ready to venture out, go left out the front door to walk up to the Chateau; or head down the hill for the stimulation inherent to the old town. With its lack of sea-view and bells-and-whistles, this one-of-a-kind hotel will not be to everyone’s taste, which is what makes its restraint so laudable. What an impressive addition to Nice. 1 rue Honoré Ugo, at the top of rue Rossetti, but the pick up point is 1 rue Centrale, right across from the Cathedrale tramstop, which is where they’ll come get you in a golf cart if you have luggage.
Villa La Tour Also located in a medieval convent, this charming family run 3-star hotel is surrounded by local color. The 14 guest rooms are cozy but well-appointed, and have a flowery country-French feel. The hotel features a good little restaurant with terrace dining, and there is a quirky family-run wine bar just across the street. 4 rue de la Tour, tram stop Cathedrale.
Hotel Rossetti, in the true heart of Old Nice sits a hidden gem that most locals don’t even know is there. Dwarfed by the grand Cathedral, the small grey door with the tiny sign completely camouflages the elegant designer boutique 3-star hotel inside. Their photos don’t do it justice: the 7 rooms are surprisingly spacious, wonderfully silent, and with a view of either the colorful streetscape or the flowery interior courtyard, which is where breakfast is served. 1 rue Sainte-Reparate, right next to the Cathedrale, tram stop Cathedrale.
Palais Saleya Apartments and Suites, just off the Palais du Justice, is an unique all-suite hotel, a hybrid of apartments but with hotel amenities, like a 24-hour front desk and daily maid service. The 26 suites/apartments are surprisingly large and jarringly modern, and all feature spacious well-appointed bathrooms, dishwashers and washing machines. No restaurant but you are spoiled for choice just out the front door, including an excellent bakery. 21 rue du Marche, tram stop Opera.
Best Budget Hotel in Old Nice
The Hotel Cresp is the best for budget oriented travelers that want to be in the Old Town. Located just one street in from the seaside, on the third floor of a historic building next to the Nice Opera, it’s just steps from the Cours Saleya market and everything Old Nice. This family-run 2-star hotel has just 17 small, basic but comfortable rooms, but the big surprise is their fabulous rooftop terrace, looking right out onto the Promenade and the sea. Book early as this budget gem fills up fast. 8 rue Saint-Francois de Paule, tram stop Opera
Old Nice hotels on the seaside…
Hotel La Perouse You think that’s Hotel La Perouse built into the cliff overlooking the Bay? I did for all these years, but in fact, that’s just the lobby, the hotel itself is hidden up on the Chateau, with absolute peace and tranquility to match its luxurious suites and sweeping sea views. It’s the perfect counter-point to the hustle and bustle of the Old Town… when you’ve had enough, your own private 4-star hill-top oasis with pool is just an elevator ride away. 11 Quai Rauba Capeu, tram stop Cathedrale
Hotel Suisse Next to glamorous La Perouse is the more moderate Hotel Suisse, a truly terrific 3-star boutique hotel which actually is built into the cliff overlooking the Bay of Angels, and boasts the best breakfast room view, which then becomes the best sunset view for cocktails. Comfortable rooms, superb location, unbeatable views, and view rooms at relatively reasonable rates… what’s not to love? 15 Quai Rauba Capeu, tram stop Cathedrale
My Room at the Beau Rivage, Henri Matisse 1918
The Hotel Beau Rivage is where Matisse stayed in 1917 when he first came to Nice to cure his bronchitis. It rained the whole month, so he sadly painted the interior of his room over and over. On the final day the sun came out and when he saw the light he was hooked: he stayed the rest of his life. The hotel is now a modern 4-star hotel; the rooms are nice but don’t have a great sense-of-place, but the bar certainly does with furniture made to look like the stones from the beach! The rooms have great views and the hotel has an outstanding location: beach on one side and Old Nice on the other. 8 rue Saint-Francois de Paule, tram stop Opera
The Mercure hotel chain is kind of budget-minded, but amazingly they have a hotel in Old Nice right on the Promenade, the Mercure Marche aux Fleurs
. If the other seaside hotels are booked up, you can often score a sea view room here for a decent rate, or an Opera or Old Nice view room for even less. 4-stars. 91 Quai des Etats-Unis, tram stop Opera
Just Outside Old Nice, Best View ON Old Nice
The Hotel Aston La Scala is just across the Promenade de Paillon gardens from Old Nice, giving it the optimal vantage point for a stunning panoramic view spanning the Chateau, the jumble of red tile roofs of the Old Town, the gardens and fountains of the Promenade de Paillon, and the azur Mediterranean Sea in the distance. You get the view from your room, at breakfast, from the fantastic rooftop swimming pool, and especially at sunset from the terrace bar. 4-stars. 12 ave Felix Faure, tram stop Opera
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