Stepping into the five-star Le Victoria from the hot, humid streets of Nice in summertime has an instantly cooling effect. Greeted by a friendly concierge (the main reception is a flight up), the interior creams and soft lines are a welcome antidote to the sweaty bustle of the city’s busy old town and Place Masséna. Indeed, ‘casually luxurious’ is the pitch made by Maison Albar’s family of hotels, with the Nice location opening in 2024 to join its ranks spanning France, Portugal, Italy and China.
Why stay at Maison Albar - Le Victoria?
A little bafflingly described on the website as being ‘conceived as an immobile cruise’ (what is a cruise ship if not a travelling hotel?!), we take the point – Le Victoria has everything you need across its six floors, with 102 rooms, 30 suites, rooftop restaurant and swimming pool, spa and views of the Côte d'Azur. While it’s nice to have the option to kick back and relax within its confines, you also have Nice’s most exciting bits on your doorstep, with the Promenade des Anglais, seafront and Place Masséna moments away and surrounded by a shopping spree’s-worth of luxury stores.
The stylish blacks and golds of the interior are the work of the Parisian interior design Studio MHNA and are a throwback to the French Riviera’s Jazz Age heyday of the 1930s. It compliments the work of Nice architect Jean-Paul Gomis, who fully renovated the historic Boscolo Plaza hotel over several years ahead of its grand opening in November 2024.
What are the rooms like at Maison Albar - Le Victoria?
With a choice of either sea or city views, you’ll inevitably want to choose the former – our room featured a small balcony, allowing one person to sit and enjoy an espresso from the provided Nespresso machine while looking over palm trees and onwards to the horizon of the Mediterranean Sea. Executive rooms upgrade the outside space to a larger terrace with cushioned armchairs, while 30 suites give the option of adding a bathtub. Connecting rooms are available, too, if you’re travelling with family. The bedrooms continue the chic black and gold minimalism from the communal areas, while bathrooms are top-to-bottom in grey marble.
Complimentary fruit juices, bottled water and handcrafted lemon croquant biscuit are a pleasing touch when you first arrive. As you’d expect from a five-star facility, there’s a minibar (including local beers, but no bubbles), huge television and pillows that we found noteworthy for their comfort. All soaps, lotions and shower cosmetics throughout the hotel are provided by popular Sicilian brand Ortiga.
What is the food like at Maison Albar - Le Victoria?
The majority of the hotel’s 6th floor rooftop is given over to the Taulissa restaurant, which is also open to non-guests. While it clearly takes the food seriously – the modestly-sized menu put together by multi-Michelin starred chef Glenn Viel features freshly caught fish, spiny lobster linguine, caviar, and chicken to share that playfully comes in a hen-shaped cocotte – the vibe of the room is pretty laid back. You’re as likely to see a dining family as you are romantic tables of two, and there’s not a tablecloth in sight. We ate salade niçoise with shards of tuna, sat on a massive slice of beef tomato, grilled ombrine fish (sold to us as similar to seabass) and a zingy lemon cream dessert. Each dish was prepared with care and perfectly put together.
The optional buffet breakfast is a hearty affair – be prepared to return several times to enjoy the array of hot and cold treats. Slivers of smoked trout were a highlight, and we enjoyed the selection of Maison Laurino preserves that accompanied the basket of fresh baguettes. A la carte options are also available to order.
What is the service like at Maison Albar - Le Victoria?
We were very fond of the rotating cast of concierges and their jolly chorus of ‘bonjours’ and ‘bonsoirs’. They welcomed all enquiries with a clear in-depth knowledge of the local area and were able to answer questions we didn’t even know we wanted to ask! (Yes, they do have beach towels you can borrow if you want to go for a quick dip in the Med.) Receptionists were equally accommodating, helping us to find somewhere to hang our dripping swimming shorts for the day after checking out and wanting to explore the city.
What are the facilities like at Maison Albar - Le Victoria?
The rooftop pool is a highlight. It’s not huge, but we were lucky to be the only patrons for our post-breakfast plunge and so able to enjoy a few unencumbered lengths. It’s surrounded by sun loungers and cushioned chairs, with a full, staffed bar to grab a beer or cocktail. Use of the basement Oria spa is an optional extra and gives you access to six treatment suites, hammam, sauna and (in the summer only) indoor pool. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to use the spa, but it has an extensive menu of treatments – including some that have been specifically conceived for children – and a 24/7 fitness studio. There’s also a spacious cafe-bar next to the reception and four meeting rooms.
What’s the area like around Maison Albar - Le Victoria?
Le Victoria really is ideally located, regardless of your reasons for visiting Nice. If you’re planning to shop til you drop (or at least until the credit card can no longer take the strain), it’s flanked by high-end stores. It counts Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel as direct neighbours, with Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga only a few seconds walk away. If you’re more of a beach dweller, the four-mile stretch of the Promenade des Anglais and its admittedly rocky beaches are a couple minutes more, as are a seemingly endless parade of bars and restaurants. The independent shops, family-run bistros and must-visit Marche aux Fleurs market of the old town are within walking distance, and there are transport links to the airport, train station and city’s most popular museums (e.g. Matisse Museum, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) just outside the front door.
Why you should you book a stay at Maison Albar - Le Victoria
Booking a stay at Le Victoria takes all the thinking out of a stay on the French Riviera. It’s a calming, stylish 5-star hotel with everything you need – both in terms of home comforts and the city as a whole – at your feet, and you’ll feel well looked after by its accommodating staff.
DETAILS
Address: 6 Av. de Suède, 06000 Nice, France
Price per night: From £290
Closest transport: Nice Côte d'Azur airport is a 20/25 minute drive