29 avenue Thiers, Nice, France | (251) 219-4428
In Nice's city center, near the train station
Boutique hotel set in a Belle Epoque building
Fun, colorful interiors with botanical and travel themes
Free daily HappyTime of tea, coffee, chocolate, and exotic fruit
Free Nespresso available in the lobby
Free Wi-Fi in all areas of the hotel
Computer with internet access in the lobby
Some guest rooms and bathrooms are small
Breakfast comes with a fee and doesn't include hot dishes
Wi-Fi is spotty
Street-facing guest rooms pick up noise
The upper-middle-range Villa Bougainville by HappyCulture has a colorful, chic decor and a boutique vibe that's befitting of its name. The 46 guest rooms are painted in extravagant shades of scarlet or ocean blue, and decorated with whimsical details like framed butterfly displays and wicker lantern lampshades. The hotel was renovated in 2015, and while rooms are well-maintained, Singles are tiny, and street-facing rooms can pick up noise. There's a free daily HappyTime, which serves tea, coffee, chocolate, and exotic fruit. Breakfast comes with a fee, but guests can help themselves to free Nespresso coffee in the lobby, and spotty Wi-Fi is also free. Travelers looking for more on-site features could try NH Nice, which has a restaurant, rooftop pool, fitness center, and sauna.
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Scene
Boutique hotel with fun and colorful interiors
Located on the corner of a busy avenue, the hotel is housed in an impressive seven-story 1928 Belle Epoque building with tall windows and Juliet balconies, topped with turrets. Rooms were renovated in 2015, and are decorated in a colorful, whimsical style, with botanical motifs dominating the decor throughout. The lobby walls are painted in complementary tones of blue and turquoise. Several accent walls feature wallpaper festooned with birds, butterflies, and plants. The front desk is painted a cool teal, and the bright green cupboards behind it blend nicely with the color scheme. Named after the French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville, the lobby's seating area has a travel theme, revealed in such decorative props as leather trunks, snowshoes, and oriental lamps hanging from the ceiling. The fun and stylish decor gives the property a boutique vibe that attracts tourists across the spectrum.
Location
In Nice's city center, within a short walk of the train station
Villa Bougainville by HappyCulture is located on a wide avenue near the Nice train station. The beachside Promenade des Anglais is also within walking distance, and the Old Town and many attractions can be easily reached by public transportation. There are several shops, cafes, and restaurants in the immediate area.- Four-minute walk to Nice train station
Rooms
Rooms are lovingly decorated and bright
Villa Bougainville's 46 rooms have brightly painted walls (and even doors and radiators) in dark hues of deep-ocean blue and peppermint, or deep scarlet. When combined with botanical motif wallpaper, guests feel as if like they're in a Gauguin painting. Other offbeat decor details include secretary desks finished in warm mahogany tones, wicker lantern lampshades, and framed butterfly displays on the walls. Some of the street-facing rooms have tall double French doors opening onto Juliet balconies. All rooms are air-conditioned and include flat-screen TVs, kettles, safes, and free Wi-Fi.Bathrooms are tastefully tiled in gray, and tend to be on the small side. They're fitted with pedestal sinks and walk-in showers. The free toiletries are limited to a bar of hand soap and wall-mounted soap dispensers in the showers. Hairdryers are also provided, and irons and ironing boards can be requested. At 129 to 161 square feet, Single Rooms are tiny with cramped bathrooms and shower cabins. There's also an Accessible Room with a roomy walk-in shower. Street-facing rooms pick up a lot of street noise, while those in the back of the hotel are quieter but look out on the backs of buildings.
Features
Breakfast service, free daily HappyTime, and free Wi-Fi
As a small hotel, Villa Bougainville by HappyCulture doesn't have big extras. Served in the cozy, retro-style breakfast room, the cold breakfast buffet (not included in rates) consists of bread and pastries, cereal, coffee, and juice. The breakfast room can get crowded, and guests might have to wait for tables. Every afternoon, guests are invited to the free HappyTime where they can sample tea and coffee, chocolate, and exotic fruits from around the world. Guests can also use the Nespresso machine in the lobby anytime. There's also a computer with internet access, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Staff can assist with car and bike rentals, and paid public parking is available nearby.
