Cimiez is the quiet, leafy hill above Nice where the Romans built their city and where Queen Victoria wintered. Hôtel du Petit Palais, at 17 Avenue Émile Bieckert, is a Belle Époque building with a four-star rating that carries on that tradition at a much more human scale. It is a three-floor building with a lift, a garden, a terrace, a bar and lounge, and a seasonal outdoor pool that opens from April to October, with sun loungers. Its guests rate it 9.4 out of 10 across nearly five hundred reviews, a remarkable score that they usually attribute to the staff. Rooms have premium bedding, minibars, safes, desks, satellite TV, coffee and tea facilities, and private bathrooms with bathrobes and toiletries. The location suits visitors who prefer to wake up away from the seafront. The Marc Chagall museum is about nine minutes on foot, the Garibaldi tram station nine minutes, Avenue Jean Médecin ten, Place Masséna eleven, the port fourteen and the Promenade des Anglais about sixteen. Breakfast is a buffet for a fee, and the hotel allows pets for a daily charge. There is no on-site parking, so it suits those using the tram, taxis or walking.
Rooms and setting
Rooms are well-appointed and cosy, and the garden and terrace give the hotel a village atmosphere that is rare in central Nice. If you want a quiet stay, the hill district is the place. Check which rooms look onto the garden when you book.
Living in it
The pool in season and the garden are the main pleasures, along with the attentive service that guests praise. The walk down to the centre of Nice takes about ten to sixteen minutes, depending on your destination, and it is uphill on the way back, a reason to use the tram for evenings out. The museums and Roman remains of Cimiez are at your doorstep.
Who it suits
Art lovers heading for the Chagall and Matisse museums, couples after a calm retreat, and repeat visitors who know the city and want a more personal stay. It is less convenient for those who want to be on the beach in two minutes. Rates are moderate for the quality, with free cancellation on some rates, and spring and autumn are especially pleasant when the pool is open.
It is also a strong choice for a longer stay, when the garden and the calm of the hill become more valuable than being a few minutes closer to the beach. Reserve early for spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and the pool is open.
Why stay here
- ✓Seasonal outdoor pool (April to October)
- ✓Garden and terrace
- ✓Bar and lounge
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Free WiFi
- ✓24-hour front desk and concierge
- ✓Elevator
- ✓Pets allowed (fee)
Good questions
Is Hôtel du Petit Palais close to the Chagall museum?+
Yes, about nine minutes on foot.
Does it have a pool?+
A seasonal outdoor pool, open from April to October, with sun loungers.
How far is it from the sea?+
About sixteen minutes on foot to the Promenade des Anglais, with the tram a good option for the return uphill.
