Best Boutique Hotels in Nice

The 113-room Boscolo Exedra Nice is an upper-middle-range boutique located a 10-minute walk from the beach. This chic property offers cutting-edge design, upscale rooms, a stylish restaurant, full-service spa, and indoor pool. There is a cocktail lounge with cool design and a pretty outdoor terrace with lots of umbrellas covering tables and chairs. While not quite as luxurious as top Nice hotels like the Negresco or Palais de la Méditérannée, this hotel does offer a high-end experience with lots of pampering, at cheaper rates than similar hotels closer to the beach and promenade. Wi-Fi is free, but there is a fee for the breakfast buffet and parking.

The 30-room boutique Hotel Windsor Nice is centrally located in the Mediterranean city of Nice, within short walking distance of the city's attractions and beach, but removed enough so that it's quiet and serene. Art abounds throughout the upper-middle-range hotel, each of the rooms has been decorated by a different artist and the farm-to-table restaurant has the "Maître Restaurateur" accreditation. The hotel mostly appeals to tourists and couples who want to be in a stylish spot close to the action while also having the romance of a shaded pool and large, exotic garden. The hotel is a 15-minute ride by car or taxi to the Nice Cote d'Azur airport and a 10-minute walk from the Gare de Nice train station. 

The 38-room boutique Hotel Villa Victoria is located in a genteel historic villa on Nice's picturesque Boulevard Victor Hugo and attracts travelers looking for a refined Niçoise experience without the price tag of the more iconic hotels. The hotel was renovated in 2013 and the stylish, Art Deco-inspired rooms overlook either the pretty buildings and trees of the boulevard or the large back garden. The marble-floored lobby feels like a living room-style lounge, with plush chairs, bookshelves, and homemade iced tea and Nespresso available throughout the day; cakes are set out for guests in the afternoon. The city's prime attractions -- the Mediterranean, Vieux Nice (the old town), and the Promenade des Anglais -- are all a short walk away, as is the central train station. For a similar boutique hotel with a back garden and more amenities, try the Hotel Windsor Nice. Note that the Hotel Villa Victoria is quite popular and can book up far in advance.

The 110-room Hotel Ellington is an upper-middle-range option located in a charming example of 1920s Nicoise architecture. It sits in the heart of Nice on one of the city's most stylish streets, and is within a 10-minute walk of the Old Town and the beach. Rooms are fresh and tastefully decorated, with flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning, although some are on the small side. Guests can choose between four options for breakfast, but it's not included in most rates. The bar and patio provide nice places to hang out, and there are four meeting rooms available, but the lack of a restaurant for lunch or dinner is notable. As an alternative, the Hotel Windsor Nice has funky, artsy rooms plus a pool and a location that's closer to the beach with lower rates.

One of Nice's better small hotels, the six-floor La Perouse is located at the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais. It’s a bit quieter than hotels farther west while still offering close proximity to Old Town. Unlike the neighboring Hotel Suisse, La Perouse features many property amenities, including a hot tub and seasonal swimming pool along with panoramic views of the Bay of Angels. All in all, the hotel is suitable for those who want an upper-mid-range stay with on-site dining at rates more affordable than the luxurious Le Negresco or Palais de la Mediterannee, but watch out for extra charges for breakfast, parking, and fast Wi-Fi.

This 25-room, four-pearl property is a tasteful oasis tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood just outside the City Centre. Rooms are spacious and well decorated with outdoor sitting areas offering great city or ocean views or a spot by the lush tropical garden near an outdoor pool. While within walking distance of many of Nice’s top attractions, the hilltop hotel could be a bit of a difficult climb for some guests. For a boutique property a little more central to the city, consider the La Villa Nice Victor Hugo, which also may offer lower rates. 

The six-room, reasonably priced boutique Hotel Villa Les Cygnes in the beachfront city of Nice feels more like a cozy bed-and-breakfast than a traditional hotel. Located on a leafy hill on the western side of the city, and housed in a 19th-century villa, the hotel offers an oasis of peace and quiet in the bustling city, yet is still walkable the beach and the city center. Most rooms have private balconies or terraces, and the hotel also offers free parking, a rarity in Nice. The Villa Les Cygnes is a 10-minute drive from the Nice Airport and a five-minute walk to the beach.