For Côte d'Azur glamour, Anantara Plaza is the ultimate place to stay. Sitting in a prime Belle Époque building, minutes from the Promenade des Anglais, this five-star landmark (reborn in 2022 after a slick four-year refurb) mixes old-world grandeur with calm, contemporary interiors. Rooms are sleek and soothing, with espresso machines, plush bedding, luxe bath products and, if you’re lucky, a private terrace with sea views stretching from Castle Hill to the western horizon. Service is faultless from the moment you step through the door (quite literally: we were greeted with a cold flannel and mocktail on arrival).
The real showstopper here is Anantara Plaza’s rooftop. This is where you’ll tuck into a next-level breakfast buffet (think Champagne, juices, croissants and an entire cabinet of cheese), or dine à la carte at SEEN – the hotel’s swish rooftop restaurant by chef Olivier da Costa, and the views are pretty special.
There’s no pool, but you do get access to Ruhl Plage, one of Nice’s best private beaches. Prefer to stay in? Head to the basement spa for a massage, hammam, or glow-up facial, or hit the 24-hour gym if you’re feeling virtuous. Step outside and you’re moments from Place Masséna, the old town, luxury boutiques and flower markets. The whole city’s walkable, and trams will zip you to the museums or train station in minutes. When you pictured your trip to Nice, it probably looked something like this.
Time Out tip: Go for a Premium Panoramic Sea View with Terrace for fantastic views over Castle Hill.
Address: 12 Avenue de Verdun, 06000 Nice, France
Price per night: Starting from €300 per night
Closest transport: Nice Côte d'Azur airport is a 20-25 minute drive.