Hotel Villa Victoria

The Hotel Villa Victoria's romantic, historic architecture extends to its interiors and atmosphere. The marble-floored lobby has a small sitting area with brightly colored chairs, large windows, a bookshelf, and homemade iced tea and Nespresso, both free for guests throughout the day. In the afternoon, cakes are put out to accompany the drinks, and guests can lounge there or take snacks and drinks out into the lovely back garden, an oasis with plenty of lounging space, surrounded by flowers, local plants, and palm trees. Breakfast can also be served out here in the warmer months, or in the elegant dining room, with its wrought-iron, glass-topped tables interspersed with art deco columns. The relaxed atmosphere attracts both couples looking for a little romance in the heart of Nice and vacationing families who want a quieter, more laid-back but chic hotel slightly removed from the main action.

Ideally located in the heart of Nice, Hotel Villa Victoria is a short walk from the beaches of the Baie des Anges, the historic Vieux Nice neighborhood, the Cors Saleya fruit and vegetable market, and the famous Promenade des Anglais. The hotel sits on the prestigious Boulevard Victor Hugo, with its cafes, shopping, and museums. The beach is a five to 10-minute walk from the hotel. Museums on the Boulevard Victor Hugo include the Musee Marc Chagall, Musee des Beaux Arts de Nice, and the Musee d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain. The hotel has no restaurant but, at the nearby Boscolo Hotel, there's the top-tier La Pescheria, whose chef combines traditional Italian recipes with seafood. The airport is a 10-minute drive away and the central train station is a 10-minute walk away.

The elegant rooms at the Hotel Villa Victoria were completely redone in the 2013 renovation to have a modern, art-heavy aesthetic. All rooms overlook either the street or the garden through floor-to-ceiling windows, and many have small private balconies; if you're sensitive to noise, ask for a garden view to avoid sound from the street. Different rooms have different color schemes, some more vibrant than others, but all are elegant and clean-lined, inspired by Art Deco sensibilities, with rich fabrics and drapes complementing muted backgrounds. It's worth noting that some rooms have two double beds pushed together, while others have a queen bed, so be sure to specify if you have a preference. Some Standard rooms have a small day bed that can be used either as an extra bed or as a couch. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, small fridge, safe, free bottled water, and coffeemaker.  The white-tiled bathrooms are modern with a tub and hand-held shower, shower gel, and heated towel rack. The hotel also offers a two-bedroom apartment that can comfortably sleep four people plus a baby.

The Hotel Villa Victoria's prime feature is its large backyard garden, where guests can relax in either the shade or sun at tables or on lounge chairs, have breakfast in warmer months, and bring drinks from the lobby. The hotel is small and homey, with nice touches such as free homemade iced tea and espressos. The breakfast room is bright and modern with a good selection of buffet foods, but most guests find it rather pricey; the nearby cafes are cheaper. Be warned: the garden may be closed at some times, so be sure to ask before booking if the garden will be open. The hotel also offers parking for a fee, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a small business corner. Babysitting services can be arranged.