Hotel Aria

Housed in an early 19th-century stone building, the hotel retains much of its original structural details, from the intricately detailed French balconies outside to the wrought-iron elevator, narrow curving staircases, and high ceilings inside. Attractive boutique-style decor juxtaposes modern touches against the quaint and old-fashioned framework. The tiny, but sunny and charming lobby, is outfitted with a bold red front desk and doors and triangular-patterned black and white floors, and a modest seating area with comfy floral armchairs. Wide-striped wallpaper features throughout the public areas including the hallways and restaurant. There aren’t many common spaces in the rather small property, but families and couples seem to love the combination of contemporary, romantic, and classic elements.

Although the hotel isn’t one of the many that line the Promenade des Anglais, it does have a convenient city center location facing a beautiful garden square and is easily accessible to area attractions in the Musicians Quarter. The SNCF train station is a five-minute walk away, and the Promenade, beach, and Old Town are a 10-minute walk away. Villa Massena is 10 minutes away on foot, and the National Marc Chagall Museum is about 20 minutes away on foot or by tram. It takes 20 minutes by public transport, or 15 minutes by car, to reach Castel-Hill. Nice Cote d’Azur Airport is a 13-minute drive away.

Rooms are available in several varieties, with bed configurations of single twin beds, double beds, and triple beds. Rooms feature contemporary decor that's a more subdued version of the common areas with deep purple desks, bed frames, drapes, and lamps against the softer gray and white wallpaper and bed linens. Starting at 139-square-feet, rooms aren’t huge, but they’re clean and quiet. Most have high ceilings and many come with large arched windows that open to the French balconies (with seating space), so they feel adequately bright and airy.

Like most boutique hotels in the area, room amenities here are limited. Air-conditioning is a plus, and all units have flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. 

Bathrooms are cramped but clean, with soft pink tiles and wooden floors. All have shower/tub combos with handheld showerheads (some suites have jetted tubs), but the lack of shower curtains in some rooms is inconvenient, causing both privacy issues and water spillage. All bathrooms include toiletries, magnifying mirrors, and hairdryers.

Rooms at the front of the hotel look out onto the garden opposite the building, but those on the other side face old buildings instead. Rooms for guests with reduced mobility are available.

Amenities are limited, there are no pool, laundry facilities, or full restaurant at the hotel. The breakfast room is a cheery space with colorful floral upholstery on the dining chairs, lots of windows, and bright lighting. Breakfast isn’t included with rates, though, and prices seem steep for the simple buffet of croissants, yogurt, fruit, juice, and coffee.  

There is a small internet corner in the lobby with one computer for guests to use. Wi-Fi throughout the property is free. Small dogs are allowed. There is no parking on-site, but guests can reserve parking spots at the lot across the street for a fee.