On the French Riviera: A deep dive into Nice’s best Hotels

1. Palais de la Méditerranée | The Rebirth of an Iconic Luxury Hotel in Nice

The Palais de la Méditerranée made its grand return to 14 Promenade des Anglais in 2026 following a major renovation that allowed it to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, the group’s luxury collection. Opened in 1929 as a casino and theater, this iconic Nice landmark retains only its spectacular Art Deco façade—designated a historic monument—from its flamboyant past.

Under the artistic direction of designer Linda Boronkay (formerly of Soho House), the 173 rooms and suites, common areas, restaurant, spa, and fitness center were completely redesigned in just seven months. Far from a caricatured Art Deco aesthetic, the interiors embrace subtlety with curved lines, refined materials, pastel tones, and numerous nods to Nice’s heritage. The selection of suites has also been expanded, increasing from 11 to 28, including a spectacular 112 m² Penthouse Suite featuring a 70 m² terrace overlooking the Baie des Anges. With 1,700 m² of event space, including the grand Salon Riviera, which can accommodate up to 936 people, this makes it one of the best and most prestigious hotels for a wedding on the French Riviera.

The Zouzou Riviera restaurant, led by Chef Sébastien Roux, showcases elegant Mediterranean cuisine through reimagined classics, served in a setting inspired by the Roaring Twenties. The hotel also features a particularly well-designed wellness area with a 24-hour fitness center, Technogym equipment, a Pilates Reformer studio, a sauna, a hammam, a salt wall, and the only indoor-outdoor pool in Nice that is heated year-round.

Ideally located overlooking the Mediterranean, the Palais de la Méditerranée thus reaffirms its status as a premier destination in Nice, where heritage, contemporary design, and the Côte d’Azur lifestyle come together.

Hôtel Palais de la Méditerranée - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
145 rooms and 28 suites, rates starting at 801 euros
13 Promenade des Anglais, Nice
Official website 

2. Le Negresco, a legendary, century-old hotel in Nice featuring a thousand and one works of art

Overlooking the Baie des Anges, on the famous Promenade des Anglais and near the Villa Masséna, this 5-star luxury hotel in Nice—which is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year—has been a distinguished destination for artists, politicians, and royalty visiting the French Riviera since its inception. Originally owned by its founder, Henri Negresco, the hotel—which continued its rise to international prominence in the late 1950s under the ownership of its new proprietor, Jeanne Augier—has hosted such notable guests as Salvador Dalí, Grace Kelly, The Beatles, Louis Armstrong, and Elton John. A beacon of culture, Le Negresco boasts a vast collection of rare works of art, displayed throughout its Louis XVI and Napoleon III-style salons and in its 102 guest rooms and 28 luxury suites. 

The suites, some of which overlook the azure Mediterranean, are adorned with luxurious headboards, refined silk and velvet draperies, and exceptional pieces of period furniture. For dining, guests can enjoy, among other options, the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Chantecler, led by Chef Virginie Basselot, a recipient of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France award. Set in an 18th-century setting, this is one of Nice’s finest restaurants, paying homage to the region’s produce from both land and sea. 

Le Negresco
130 rooms, starting at 310 euros per night
37 Promenade des Anglais, Nice

3. Maison Albar - Le Victoria | Hotel with a rooftop in Nice

Located between the Promenade des Anglais and Place Masséna, Maison Albar - Le Victoria opened its doors in 2024. This renovation project of the former Park Hotel, led by architect Jean-Paul Gomis and interior designers Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet, adds another gem to the French collection of 5-star boutique hotels already established in Paris, Nîmes, Porto, and Braga. Named in honor of Victoria, a fifth-generation member of the Albar family, this luxury hotel in Nice embodies the spirit of family and a century of hospitality. With 132 rooms and suites decorated in a style inspired by the beautiful mansions of the Riviera, Maison Albar - Le Victoria captures the essence of the Côte d’Azur in interiors dominated by whites, grays, and ivory, subtly enhanced with touches of azure blue that create an atmosphere that is both elegant and soothing. Precious materials such as wood paneling, lacquer, and stone evoke the 1930s, offering a contemporary interpretation of that glamorous era.

Maison Albar - Le Victoria offers more than just sumptuous rooms; it also features a 650 m² hotel spa called ORIA. This sanctuary of relaxation, equipped with six treatment rooms—including two suites with whirlpool tubs—blends nautical style with Art Deco. The marble pool, bathed in natural light, is the perfect place to recharge in complete tranquility. For food lovers, the rooftop restaurant Taulissa—created by Chef Glenn Viel and led by Executive Chef Fred Grava—offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the Nice hinterland. The restaurant serves dishes designed to be shared, with a menu that changes with the seasons.

For food lovers, the Taulissa rooftop restaurant—created by Chef Glenn Viel and led by Executive Chef Fred Grava—offers a panoramic view of the Mediterranean and the Nice hinterland. The restaurant features dishes designed to be shared, with a menu that changes with the seasons. Maison Albar - Le Victoria also features four reception rooms, equipped with the latest technology and bathed in natural light, perfect for hosting seminars on the French Riviera and exceptional events. Right outside the hotel, a 5,500 m² gallery of luxury boutiques offers visitors a unique shopping experience in the heart of the Carré d’Or.

What sets it apart? A hotel with a rooftop terrace and a unique view of the Mediterranean.

Maison Albar - Le Victoria
132 rooms, starting at 260 euros per night
6 Avenue de Suède, Nice

4. Hôtel du Couvent | Monastic luxury in the hills above Old Nice

Opened in June 2024, the Hôtel du Couvent is undoubtedly one of the most successful new openings on the French Riviera in recent years. Perched at the very top of Old Nice, across from Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, this 5-star hotel—part of The Luxury Collection—enjoys a secluded location, away from the hustle and bustle of the baroque alleyways. This 17th-century convent, home to nuns for three centuries before falling into ruin, has been brought back to life after ten years of renovation led by the British firm Perseus.

The architecture, entrusted to Studio Mumbai and Studio Méditerranée, and the interiors designed by Festen are organized around a remarkably successful “less is more” philosophy: clean lines, terracotta floor tiles, taupe and earthy tones, all within an almost sacred silence. The 88 rooms and suites exude a self-assured monastic elegance—without televisions or smart home technology, but featuring marble, dried flowers, and Fragonard olive oil soaps made in Grasse. The one-hectare terraced garden, planted with olive, persimmon, and apricot trees, is home to 80 species of aromatic herbs harvested daily for the kitchen. At the very top, a 19-meter lap pool offers what is undoubtedly the most beautiful view of the Baie des Anges and the Palais Lascaris.

What sets it apart? A thermal spa experience inspired by antiquity—tepidarium, caldarium, frigidarium—and a bakery open to the public every morning on the square.

Hôtel du Couvent, a Luxury Collection
88 rooms, starting at 315 euros per night 
1 Rue Honoré Ugo, Nice

5. La Pérouse Hotel: The Rebirth of an Institution Frozen in Time

Perched on the heights of Château Hill, adjacent to Cours Saleya at the mouth of the Promenade des Anglais, La Pérouse Hotel in Nice—with the charm of a family home—has just reopened its doors following a meticulous renovation. Designed by the Parisian architecture firm Friedmann & Versace, the new Riviera-inspired interior design completely revitalizes the property, which features 53 rooms and suites, most of which offer exceptional panoramic views of the Baie des Anges. With a rooftop solarium, a pool carved into the rock, and a citrus garden, this 4-star oasis of absolute tranquility features decor designed down to the finest detail by passionate local artists.

Upon entering, a mural created by Les Céramiques du Beaujolais welcomes guests as they make their way to their rooms, which feature a southern French flair. The rooms are adorned with rattan furniture, a nautical-themed headboard from Maison Thevenon, and cozy armchairs featuring a sunburst stripe pattern. In the shade of century-old lemon trees, the intimate terrace of Le Patio restaurant—under the direction of Chef Damien Andrews—complements the creative and refined menu inspired by the Nice region. Inside, the tabletops made of enameled lava stone complement the meticulous craftsmanship of the bar, which is entirely covered in seashells by artist Caroline Perrin and lined on the back with a luminous mother-of-pearl panel.

La Pérouse
53 rooms, starting at 141 euros per night
11 Quai Rauba Capeu, Nice

6. Anantara Plaza Nice, a luxurious and elegant retreat with a Belle Époque-style façade

Just outside the Old Town, facing Place Masséna, the Albert I Garden, and the Promenade des Anglais, the Anantara Plaza is housed in a historic hotel building that opened in 1848. Completely renovated by the David Collins architectural firm, among others, this 5-star hotel—which retains its charming Belle Époque façade—features 151 elegant and bright rooms and suites, whose sophistication evokes the golden age of the French Riviera. Some of them offer a magnificent view of the Baie des Anges, and some even feature the luxury of a balcony or terrace. Like a haven of tranquility, the hotel’s spa in Nice—renowned for its signature treatments—truly comes into its own with massages using hot pebbles and herbal pouches, or with a treatment featuring mimosa and ginger oil specially crafted for the hotel by artisans from Mouans.

The inviting facilities are complemented by a hammam and sauna, a manicure area, and a fitness center offering personalized coaching upon request. At breakfast, guests can enjoy the view of the sparkling sea from the SEEN by Olivier restaurant. At the helm, Portuguese-born chef Olivier da Costa creates Mediterranean cuisine with Brazilian and Thai influences. For drinks and tapas, head to the panoramic rooftop terrace, and during the day, visit Les Colonnades on the ground floor to savor pastries crafted by Philippe Tayac. 

Anantara Plaza Nice
151 rooms, starting at 205 euros per night 
12 Avenue de Verdun, Nice

7. Le Petit Palais Hotel, a historic villa with old-world charm

Nestled on Cimiez Hill, this Nice hotel is a secluded haven of peace, tucked away in an exclusive residential neighborhood with winding streets lined with elegant Belle Époque mansions. Built in 1924 at the behest of Madame Thomas by architects Victor Martin and Charles Palmero, this former private villa—now converted into a romantic boutique hotel offering 4-star service—retains all its old-world charm. All 25 guest rooms, with their delicately opulent decor, feature refined wallpaper, beautiful fabrics, and Art Deco-style patterned velvet. The most beautiful room, the Privilège Panorama, offers a view of the sea and the rooftops of the old town.

You might be tempted to spend a moment reading on the sofa under the gazebo—a small, sheltered garden pavilion offering a shady spot among the lemon, rose, and olive trees—but that’s without considering the refreshing outdoor pool and its divine sun deck. While in the evening the bar features local aperitifs with notes of pastis, limoncello, Bellet wine, and craft beer, breakfast showcases fresh seasonal produce, cured meats, aged cheeses, jams, breads, and pastries. Served as a buffet or in your room, it also includes options for gluten-free and lactose-free diets.

Le Petit Palais Hotel
25 rooms, starting at 112 euros per night
17 Avenue Emile Bieckert, Nice

8. Hôtel Amour Nice | A Playful Spirit on Rue des Fleurs

Just a stone’s throw from the Promenade des Anglais, on Avenue des Fleurs, the newest addition to the Amour family—which began in Paris’s 9th arrondissement and flourished in the 10th with the Grand Amour—has set up shop in Nice with the same tender irreverence that is the brand’s hallmark. 38 rooms with hallways adorned in pastel tones, shades of pink and blue. No TV, no phone: instead, furniture hunted down at antique shops and auctions, pin-up photos hanging on the walls, pink marble bathrooms, and a few bathtubs for the lucky ones.

The rooms with balconies or the top-floor studio are well worth a visit for couples looking for a place with a distinct personality. At the restaurant, Greek specialties prepared with ingredients sourced from Kalamata and local vegetables can be enjoyed on the bright, tree-lined patio. On the 7th floor, a refreshing pool offers a 360° view of the rooftops of Nice, while just a two-minute walk away, Amour Beach extends the adventure along the legendary Promenade.

Hôtel Amour Nice
38 rooms, starting at 230 euros per night
3 avenue des Fleurs, Nice 

9. Boscolo Nice Hotel & Spa | Belle Époque Italian charm in the heart of the city

Located at 12 Boulevard Victor-Hugo in the Jean-Médecin neighborhood, just a few minutes’ walk from the Promenade, the Boscolo is housed in a Belle Époque palace built in 1913 by the Nice-based architect Charles Dalmas. Acquired in 2000 by the Italian Boscolo family, with over forty years of experience in the luxury hotel industry, the property embodies a certain vision of Italian hospitality: 112 rooms and suites renovated in shades of ivory, cream, and gold, featuring hardwood floors, white marble, and mosaic-tiled bathrooms. Discretion is a hallmark: unlike the luxury hotels along the Promenade des Anglais, this hotel prioritizes tranquility, which appeals to a discerning clientele.

When it comes to dining, there are three Italian-inspired restaurants: Angelo Italian Restaurant for fine dining, Genesi Italian Bar for aperitifs on the terrace, and the BClub Rooftop for dinner with a 360° panoramic view of the city and the hills. The only hotel in Nice to offer two pools, it features a 550 m² spa with a hammam, sauna, relaxation area with a salt wall, personalized treatments, and a 24-hour fitness center.

What sets it apart? The rooftop with its two pools and the Neapolitan cuisine of Pasquale Lanzilotti, heir to an authentic tradition.

Boscolo Nice Hotel & Spa
112 rooms, rates starting at 409 euros per night
12 Boulevard Victor Hugo, Nice 

10. Le Méridien Nice, one of the most beautiful 4-star hotels in Nice

Located on the Promenade des Anglais and overlooking the Baie des Anges, this hotel facing the Mediterranean ranks among the city’s top 4-star hotels. With its panoramic rooftop terrace and heated outdoor pool, this massive glass-and-steel building offers a chic setting on the French Riviera, just a stone’s throw from Old Nice. The hotel features 324 rooms and suites designed by Didier Gomez, who drew inspiration from the colors and design of the 1960s.

The contemporary rooms at Le Méridien Nice offer pleasant views, whether of the sparkling blue sea, the charming Albert I Gardens, or the hotel’s peaceful terrace. The Latitude 43°4’ Bar, with its tropical décor, serves about twenty à la carte dishes, while on the rooftop, Elaïo offers a lunch menu with a seaside focus.

The icing on the cake: on the hotel’s 10th floor, a spa with a heated panoramic pool, a hammam, and a sauna awaits guests. 

Le Méridien Nice 
318 rooms, rates starting at 300 euros per night 
1 Promenade des Anglais, Nice