The older I get, the more I appreciate the finer things in life, especially when it comes to travel. I find that I am wont to pepper my trips with bursts of luxury, opulence, and decadence, particularly when it comes to where to stay; while a hostel is not beneath me, my heart truly lies with accommodation of the *ahem* 4- and 5-star variety. It was with great pleasure, then, that Liebling and I accepted an invitation to spend a night at the Hotel Negresco, one of Nice’s oldest and most stately hotels.
The pink-domed Negresco is somewhat of a landmark, sitting majestically on a prime piece of real estate in the centre of Nice. This 5-star hotel is situated halfway between Cannes and Monte-Carlo and faces the azure waters of the Mediterranean. The location really couldn’t get any better.
The building is as historic as it is iconic, having opened its doors in 1913, and been fitted with decor that harkens back to ornateness and class of days gone by. Those used to the flat greys and beiges of newer hotels may find all the Negresco’s bells and whistles fussy (admittedly, I typically prefer newer, modern hotels), but to me, they were sumptuous. Liebling and I were both blown away by the impressively equipped grand hall, which held a collection of French art spanning a number of periods.
The whole hotel oozed an aura of formality and professionalism; it was clear that service is the Negresco’s first priority. Staff seek to create an experience for their guests; we arrived at the hotel scruffy and sweaty but were received with a warmth and respect that I wasn’t expecting. The young man behind the counter who checked us in bestowed us with broad smiles and friendly, non-forced chatter, the line manager who came down to greet us was generous with his handshakes and Madames and Monsieurs. No surly “French” attitude here.
The room was a piece of art unto itself. At first I found it garish, loud, and distracting, but within minutes it had grown on me. The hotel has a wide array of rooms decorated in different palettes and flavours. The purple made me feel like royalty, the mirrored bed and funky fixtures like I was in the dressing room of a 1930’s Hollywood starlet. I threw myself onto the bed and immediately struck a pose, fancying myself a screen siren from a foregone era like Marilyn Monroe or Dorothy Dandrige. (A girl can dream, can’t she?)
All the glamour and bon standing don’t come cheap, however: a night in this 5-star property will run you a 5-star price. That said, that is to be expected at a hotel of this calibre on the French Riviera, and a special occasion (think honeymoon!) could merit the splurge.
The premises and service are spectacularly indulgent, the character and ambiance exceptionally grand. The Negresco was a great treat for a gal like me- one who enjoys a bit of luxury from time to time!
What type of accommodations do you typically stay in when you travel? Are you a fan of more modern or classical lodging?
Liebling and I were guests at the Hotel Negresco, but all opinions and excessive use of adjectives are my own.
75 Comments
Hotel Negresco seems to be pretty popular in the blogosphere. Not too long ago another lovely blogger Anne posted this on the hotel during her trip to Nice: http://www.pret-a-voyager.com/2012/07/summer-in-nice.html. Of course I would have loved to stay in such an opulent place but life of a budget strapped doesn’t allow it, yet! Hihi.
Ooh, will check out the link!
Those purple walls? STUNNING! I love a little bit of opulence now and then.
You too, huh!?
Over the top opulence? Why not?! Sometimes we need a little (lots of) pampering in this frenetic, frantic world we inhabit and I am ALL about being cared for and indulged.:)
I concur!
I love hotels with a bit of personality. This hotel seems FANTASTIC. those purple walls – AWESOME.
Personality in spades!
Wow, that room really is sumptuous! What fun! I appreciate comfort and good service when I travel, and especially love boutique hotels that are unique in some way. That doesn’t always have to be the most expensive hotel around, but it doesn’t come at hostel prices…
It’s true that service and number of stars often seem to go hand in hand! Le sigh…
Wow! I didn’t particularly like the room (I’m not big on flashy colours and design), but the location is superb! And anywhere that has fantastic service is enough to win me over. Especially in France.
Lucky you getting to spend a night there!
I’m with you when you say that the service is France is a bit, erm, sub-standard, especially for Canadians gals like us!
It’s my fave building along the strip (of course). The first time I saw it in person was May 2010 and they had just finished repainting the exterior. That brilliant white against the blue sky is classical Nice. Great post about a great landmark!
PS: I’m all about the stars too: the more there are (after a hotel’s name) the happier I am!
Re: your PS- Totally with ya, sister!! lol
Umm, so how is it that you keep getting these invitations to stay at lovely hotels. Yes, I’m jealous. I dream of the four and five star hotels but my budget allows for two and three at most. Boo hoo me, and yeah you! I prefer simple modern styles where everything is clean, clean, clean. It’s so nice reading a travel blog that doesn’t always quip on how great it is to travel extra cheaply, stay at a hostel and bargain for every trinket. Keep accepting those invitations so I can keep reading about these places.
Within the last two or so years I am all about the luxury accommodation when possible! I need a splurge every once in a while- I owe it to myself and it really constitutes an important part of the vacay 🙂
I’ve just booked a trip to Guernsey and instead of opting for the budget options have sleected not even the second most cost effective. i too am now wanting something a bit more comfortable. a bit more cozy. I get it.
but… on a totally unrelated note… answer your phone 😉 i wanted to meet up with you tonight!
Woohoo! When you going lady?! Sad that I missed your call but I’m still away in Jordan! I’m back in London Sunday night 🙂
LOVE those purple walls! A few years ago I decided that unless it was for a unique cultural experience, I am too old and my husband and I work too hard to stay in dingy hotels anymore (which can often make a person wish they would have just stayed home – esecially if you can’t sleep due to insects, noise, mold, fear, etc.)! If we can’t afford to stay somewhere relatively decent, we will save a bit more and wait a bit longer to take our trip! 😉
I increasingly agree with your statement! I spend my days at home working hard and when I go on vacation, I want to be able to relax and enjoy myself- nice accommodation is a part of that!
As others have said a splurge now again is well deserved. That lobby is enough to make me blow my budget to sit and just absorb the grande elegance of it all. The room is gorgeous but too much for me. But oohh that lobby is mesmerizing and the azure waters enthralling.
Lady Littlefoot
The lobby is a beauty, it’s true!
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Did not see that purple room coming. What a contrast to the ornateness and opulence of the ballroom. Still a beautiful place to rest your head. As for me, I like a little luxury but I can sure bounce a floor, if need be.
That room is amazing! The whole hotel looks stunning! I greatly look forward to our unofficially planned girls trip to Nice with Milla!! I agree with you-as I grow older, I definitely have a greater affinity for the finer things in life! When I was younger and a student, I had no qualms about the cheapest accommodation but now I much prefer to have comforts. On a trip to London and Paris in January this year, we stayed in apartments and loved it! I think it’s totally the way to go if you can’t go 5 star the whole time!
You work hard and deserve some creature comforts when it s time for leisure… lol
Great review, Oneika. Starting to save up my pennies for my next trip to Nice. I loved that city the last time I visited and feel like it may be time for a revisit…and a luxury hotel stay wouldn’t be so bad at all!
Thanks lady!
I’m a sucker for a nice hotel – particularly 4 or 5* on the smaller scale. I find myself splurging on almost every trip but I must say, on a couple of occasions, it completely made our trip. Sometimes my husband succeeds at pulling me back down to earth and we’ll opt for a more budget friendly room which makes us appreciate the finer ones the next time around.
After the stresses of daily life it s so great to be able to luxuriate in a nice place when on vacation! Everything in moderation though!
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