Hotel Antares

The Antares is a budget hotel and hostel housed in a five-story beige town house with green shutters. The lobby is small but pleasant with a tile floor, white walls, and brown accents. Pendant lights hang above the reception desk, and potted plants flank a tan button-tufted couch. The main lounge is in the basement, and it's a little dark with a strange mix of furniture, but there are plenty of spots to sit, along with a TV and computers for guests' use. The breakfast room is a pleasing spot, with inset lighting, cafe tables, upholstered armless dining chairs, and framed pictures. The hostel has a youthful, social vibe and hosts frequent meet-and-greets with free wine and snacks, and communal spaghetti dinners for a reasonable extra fee.

Antares is located on a busy main avenue that's a two-minute walk to Nice-Ville, the city's main train station. The hotel shares the road with a supermarket and pharmacy, and there are lots of other hotels in the neighborhood. The main road leading toward the beach and the Promenade des Anglais (about a 15-minute walk) is full of restaurants. The Cours Saleya market and Old Town (Vieille Ville) are about a 20-minute walk from the hotel, or a 10-minute trip on the tram. The Nice Opera, National Theater, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and Place Garibaldi are about a 20-minute walk away. The Nice Côte d’ Azur Airport is a 30- to 45-minute trip via public transportation, or a 20-minute drive.

Hotel Antares has a mix of private and dorm-style rooms, all of which are air-conditioned. Private rooms are designed for two to four guests, while coed and female-only dorms have four to 10 bunks. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms -- there's no walking down the hall here. Dorms range in style, but tend to be small with metal bunks and wire baskets under the beds for storage. (Guests can bring their own locks or use the locker storage room in the basement lounge.) While the dorms are clean, they show general hostel wear-and-tear throughout. Linens and towels are provided, and dorms have electric kettles, and sometimes mini-fridges. Private rooms are slightly more stylish, with wood floors, plaid bedding, blue walls, and desks, chairs, and nightstands. Bathrooms have standing showers but toiletries are not provided. In-room Wi-Fi is free, but guests have complained about a weak signal.

Hotel Antares has a fair amount of extras that add to its appeal and social atmosphere. The hostel has a basement lounge with seating, a TV, and computers for guests' use. There's also a courtyard offering outdoor seating. A continental breakfast with cereal is included in the rate, and is served in a nice breakfast room. A communal kitchen is equipped with a microwave, stove, and cookware. Luggage storage and lockers are available, as is bike parking. The hostel hosts frequent social events, such as meet-and-greets with free wine and snacks, or communal spaghetti dinners for a small extra fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but guests have complained about a weak in-room signal.