Castle Hill and Old Town seafront

Hôtel La Pérouse

★★★★★

Hôtel La Pérouse occupies the best address in Nice for anyone who wants both the sea and the old town: it is set into the foot of Castle Hill at Rauba Capeu, where the Quai des États-Unis curves round the rock toward the port, so its terraces and many of its rooms look straight down the whole length of the Baie des Anges and the Promenade des Anglais. The view is the reason people book it, and it is genuinely one of the great hotel views on the Riviera, especially at sunset when the lights come on around the bay. The four-star hotel has fifty-three rooms and suites, arranged on several levels up the hillside, many with balconies or terraces facing the sea; others look over the garden or the hill. Behind the street façade it opens into a surprisingly private world: a garden courtyard with a swimming pool, a restaurant and bar, a rooftop with a solarium and views, a small fitness room and a sauna, with massages available. Staff are attentive, the atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal, and it is quieter than the big hotels on the Promenade because the traffic eases as the road bends round the hill. Location is the other great asset. The Cours Saleya market and the lanes of Vieux Nice are a two-minute walk; the stairs and lift up Castle Hill start next door; the port quarter, with its bistros and wine bars, is ten minutes round the point; Place Masséna and the shopping streets are about fifteen minutes on foot. The hotel is open every day of the year, and there is parking on site and a paid car park nearby.

Choosing a room: sea-view rooms are the reason to come, and the higher categories with terraces are worth the premium if your budget allows, because the panorama becomes part of your stay at breakfast and at night. Rooms facing the hill or the courtyard are calmer and cheaper but lose the view. Some rooms are compact, as in many hotels of this age built into a hillside, and lifts and stairs connect different levels, so travellers with mobility concerns should mention it when booking.

Living in it: the pool is a real luxury in central Nice and makes La Pérouse a strong summer choice; in winter, the sheltered terraces catch the sun and the hotel is calm. Breakfast with a view is a highlight. For dinner, you are surrounded by options in the old town and the port, and the walk back along the quay at night is one of the most beautiful in the city. Families appreciate the pool and the space; the hotel describes itself as family-friendly, with family rooms and suites available.

Who it suits: couples on a special trip, first-time visitors who want the postcard view and the old town on the doorstep, and families who want a pool in the centre. Rates are upper mid-range to luxury, rising sharply in summer and during the Carnival and Monaco Grand Prix periods. If you want to look at the Baie des Anges rather than drive along it, this is the hotel.