Hotel Negresco

The Hotel Negresco's landmark, 1913 Art Deco building with its salmon-colored turret dominates a corner of the famous Promenade des Anglais. Inside, the spectacular, oval lobby is decorated in the style of Louis XVI with marble floors, white columns, and a huge crystal chandelier surrounded by an ornate skylight with gilded molding and cherub illustrations. Clusters of Crayola-colored antique French armchairs give ample seating. And the "more is more" attitude is evidence throughout the hotel. The La Rontonde Brasserie pays whimsical homage to the carnival with antique wooden carousel horses encircling upholstered booths, and the English club-themed Le Negresco's Bar is equally memorable with its dark-wood paneled walls, wood-carved bar, and rich crimson drapes. The hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, Le Chantecler is decorated to impress with several crystal chandeliers, large portraits, pink tablecloths, and fine china. 

The Hotel Negresco is essentially a beachfront property as the private Neptune Beach is literally located across the Promenade des Anglais that winds along the spectacular Mediterranean coastline in the French Riviera. It's adjacent to the Massena Palace Museum of Art and History and about a five-minute walk to Nice’s Old Town, the center of nightlife and shopping. Many oceanfront restaurants and shops also are within a brief walk, as are two casinos and more hotels. The city’s train station is about six minutes by car, while the local airport is about 11 minutes. 

The Hotel Negresco offers 96 rooms and 21 suites, each individually decorated with antique furniture and original art that can range from Louis XIII-style to modern paintings. Decor is decidedly rich with deep colors of red, blue, and gold for carpeting, wall-coverings and drapes. Expect the unexpected, as some rooms even have mirrored headboards and peacock feather-patterned carpets, while others are dark, ornate, and more traditional. Rooms are quite spacious, and larger suites have separate sitting and sleeping quarters as well as balconies overlooking the Mediterranean. Many rooms, in fact, have ocean views. And all rooms have flat-screen TVs, writing desks, electronic safes, robes and slippers, free Wi-Fi, and well-stocked minibars. Bathrooms can be as individually different as room decor, with some roomy and adorned in fine marble and others rather small and dated with neon-colored tile and bathtubs only (no showers). Guests' reactions are as varied as the decor: Some are wowed by their rooms while others express disappointment.

La Rotonde Brasserie serves a breakfast buffet (for a fee) in a whimsical, carousel-themed room, and the Le Chantecler offers a fine-dining experience. Room service is also available. The equally decadent Le Negresco's Bar hosts live entertainment nightly in an English-themed setting. A small fitness center has modern cardio and weight equipment, and in-room babysitting, massages, manicure, and hair salon services can be arranged. The private Neptune Beach is across the street. Access is not free but some hotel packages include beach access and the breakfast buffet. Various water sports are offered there, including children’s activities in high season. Concierge services include limo and airport shuttles. Free Wi-Fi is available in all public spaces, and free newspapers are available in the lobby. The hotel also offers on-site valet parking for a fee. Currency exchange and an ATM are on-site as well. Laundry services and dry cleaning are available. Nine conference rooms can handle groups of up to 600, and the business center is open 24 hours daily.