Hotel Ellington Nice Centre

This hotel is situated in a typical Nicoise building from 1920 that's packed with historic charm. Windows on the front of the seven-story, peach-colored building have charming wooden shutters and iron railings, while shrubs, topiaries, and potted plants line the front. Guests enter through glass doors into an elegant lobby with ornate chandeliers hanging from a richly detailed coffered ceiling. Gray marble floors up the class factor, and decor is inspired by Duke Ellington and jazz music of the 1940s and '50s. Black-and-white photos of singers and actors from the Jazz Age combine with mirrors, antique art objects, and a moody dark color palette to create the sharp look. It's a classic, elegant setting that's popular with a more mature crowd. Most guests are couples, but families, groups, individuals, and business travelers also make their way here.  

This hotel is located in the heart of Nice on one of the city's most stylish streets, the Boulevard Dubouchage. It's surrounded by other buildings constructed in the same classic style, and the neighborhood is a charmer -- there are plenty of restaurants within a five-minute walk of the hotel. The Old Town, beach, and main shopping areas of the city all take about 10 minutes to reach on foot, while the train station can be reached in 13 minutes. The Acropolis Palais des Congres convention center is about a 15-minute walk from the hotel, or less than five minutes by car. The Modern and Contemporary Art Museum as well as the Marc Chagall Museum are 10- and 15-minute walks, respectively, while the Matisse Museum can be reached in about 20 minutes by bus. Aeroport Nice Cote d'Azur is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, or about 35 minutes by public transportation. 

While there is a small array of room types to choose from here, and the decoration varies just a bit from one to the next, the look across the board is classic, polished, and fresh. Wall art is used to classy effect, and ranges from eye-catching contemporary art to black-and-white pictures. Classic Rooms are small, and best suited for short visits, with tasteful neutral hues including brown, beige, and gold seen on bed runners, accent pillows, and curtains. Deluxe Rooms are a bit bigger and add pizzazz, with bold shades of red in carpets, pillows, draperies, and bed throws. Spacious Executive Rooms come in two styles: either elegant Louis XVI decor or a more modern version, with clean lines and a subdued black, gray, and taupe color scheme. Junior Suites are also more spacious, adding bedside sitting areas. 

All rooms come with air-conditioning, minibars stocked with free mineral water and soft drinks, safes, electric kettles for tea or coffee, and flat-screen TVs, while Executive Rooms and Junior Suites add Nespresso coffee machines. Tiled bathrooms are modern and stylish and come with hairdryers, towel warmers, and the hotel's own brand of toiletries. Views are of the street or the hotel's lovely courtyard. Keep in mind that rooms at the front of the hotel will pick up street noise. 

Due to its city-center location, there aren't a ton of extras at this hotel, though some of those that are missing are surprising -- like the lack of a proper restaurant for lunch or dinner. The hotel does have a handsome dining room where breakfast is served every day. A variety of options are available for breakfast: an American-style buffet with hot and cold items; continental breakfast delivered to guest rooms; express breakfast served at the bar; or a takeaway breakfast for guests on the go. Room service is available throughout the day despite the lack of an on-site restaurant. The jazz-inspired Le Duke Bar and Lounge is a casual, cozy space that serves cocktails and offers live jazz in a space decked in leather sofas and chairs amid a moody color scheme of chocolate browns and blacks. The outdoor patio in the courtyard is a lovely space with cushioned iron furniture, a statue of Mercury, and large potted plants -- drinks from the bar can be brought out here when the weather is nice. The hotel also offers four meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 70 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout.