Quality Hotel Mediterranée

Built in the 1980s, the Quality Hotel Mediterranée is housed in a straightforward, square building with a creamy yellow stucco facade and protruding balconies. The common areas are more stylish than the rooms, and renovation has kept them fairly fresh. The lobby features white-tile floors, black accent walls, tall vases with faux flowers and greenery, and bright modern art paired with framed photos of movie stars. The restaurant has a similar vibe, while the rooftop bar and lounge is hands-down the hotel's chicest spot, with floor-to-ceiling windows, gray carpeting with abstract wavy lines, and bright couches in red, purple, and yellow. The hotel draws frequent tour groups, along with couples and families.

The Quality Hotel is located on a pleasant road with Provencal-style buildings, a pretty church, and several businesses. It's two blocks, or about a three-minute walk, to the promenade and beach, and about a five-minute walk to the heart of Old Town (Vieille Ville), which has a number of restaurants. The main train station is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Monaco and Nice are an easy drive away, about 30 and 40 minutes, respectively. Underground parking is available for an extra fee, but it's limited, so guests with cars should reserve a spot in advance. Aeroport Nice Cote d'Azur is a 35- to 55-minute drive, depending on the route.

The 90 rooms at Quality Hotel Mediterranee are simple and well-maintained with wall-to-wall carpeting in orange or red, white walls, and black furniture. Bedding is accented with orange- or blue-plaid coverings. Matching drapes pull the look together, and black-and-white framed photos of famous movie stars hang along the walls. Bathrooms are fully tiled; some combine mint-green floors and beige sinks, but the updated bathrooms are all white. Rooms are air-conditioned and include flat-screen TVs with international channels, free Wi-Fi, safes, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and minibars stocked with drinks. Bathrooms usually have shower/tub combos, and include hairdryers and soap dispensers. Standard Rooms, at 160 square feet, are situated on the first or ground floors. The largest Privilege Triple Rooms can fit up to four people and measure about 300 square feet. Upgraded rooms may have balconies and nice views. Be aware that street-facing rooms can pick up traffic noise. The hotel also has five studios and apartments at the back of the property. These tend to have more dated decor, but come with kitchenettes and tend to be reasonably priced for longer stays.

For a rather basic, mid-range hotel, Quality Hotel Mediterranee has some surprising features. A standout spot is the chic rooftop bar and lounge with a piano and floor-to-ceiling windows. Beyond the bar is an outdoor terrace with loungers and nice views of the city's rooftops. The hotel also has a good Mediterranean restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner as well as a breakfast buffet of cereals, fruit, breads, pastries, and cold meats, which is included in some room rates. (Guests can have it delivered to their rooms and avoid the crowded breakfast room.) Staff will help with taxis or arrange for airport transfers or laundry service. Limited on-site parking is available for an extra fee, and must be booked ahead. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and there's a computer for guests' use.