Gareth Thomas

The French Riviera is Europe’s capital of cool. Also the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on this cobbled coast, Nice has long been a draw for sun-worshippers, partygoers, artists and holidaymakers alike, looking for unique things to do along the stunning coastline. The result is a city awash with fantastic hotels. From grand Belle Époque era residences and townhouses rich in period detail to minimal modern boutiques and artsy retreats, the choice really is boundless. And as Nice is rumoured to have more hotel rooms than any other French city (not to mention top Airbnbs), competition keeps standards high and prices surprisingly low for even the best rooms in the best hotels.  Here then are our top picks, confidently striding the full gamut of rooms to select the cream of the crop catering to every possible taste, budget and location. Something for everyone then? Mais oui! Updated October 2024: As with pastries, such a delectable selection makes it hard to choose. To Remedy this very good dilemma to have, we've added a property within the Mama Shelter hotel chain – known for its bold decor and lively vibe that extends from the lobby to the rooftop bar.  RECOMMENDED:📍Check out the best things to do in Nice🛏 See our list of the best Airbnbs in Nice This guide was curated by freelance travel writer Duncan Madden. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelin

It’s easy to overlook this hidden gem built into a cliff face above the bustle of the main street below, but once you find it, you’ll be happy you did. When the hotel reopened in 2023 it needed a little TLC. But rather than mute the history and tradition, the team went all in, all the while, adding their own artistic flare. In a nutshell, it’s an oasis of tranquillity, luxury, and modern French Riviera charm. Nestled high up, right at the end of the iconic Promenade des Anglais, La Perouse’s higgledy-piggledy layout boasts a tonne of historical and geographical charm. You can pretty much see the whole of Nice from here. Very cinematic. But that's not all; most rooms, ours included, offer stunning sea-facing views from the balcony or terrace. Waking up to nothing but clear blues and the soothing sound of waves made me feel I was living my White Lotus life! To top it all off, (quite literally)  there's a solarium on the roof - our go-to for enjoying a cheeky glass of rosé at sunset before heading into Old Town. While the rooms and the solarium look out to sea offering those stunning views I mentioned, I can't not go on about the sunken terrace. Adorned with fragrant lemon trees (no less), an outdoor pool area carved out of the cliff rock itself, and the award-winning Le Patio restaurant. The tranquil surroundings made it the perfect spot for enjoying breakfast spread out in the sun, but you can also expect a more elaborate lunch and dinner courtesy of the recently appointed che