The Westminster is a Nice classic that has kept its character. Built in 1871 in a single five-floor building at 27 Promenade des Anglais, it has Art Deco and Belle Époque touches, including Florentine frescoes in the Grand Hall, and a four-star rating. There are 99 individually furnished rooms, and rooms facing the Baie des Anges, some with balconies, are the ones to ask for. It is on the waterfront, a minute from the Promenade, two minutes from the Blue Beach, about three minutes from the Negresco and about ten minutes on foot from Place Masséna. What sets it apart from other seafront hotels at this level is the spa. Spa 27 has an indoor pool, sauna, hammam and hot tub, while a heated counter-current pool with aquabikes and a balneotherapy cabin with 278 massage jets add to the choice. There is a gym, a restaurant, Le Duc, with a sea-view terrace, and a bar, Le W, with its own terrace. The hotel also hosts candlelight concerts with string quartets in its historic rooms, an unusual extra for an evening in Nice. It is a good fit for travellers who want the Promenade, a wellness offer and a hotel with some history in one address.
Rooms and setting
The rooms are individually furnished, with soundproof windows that help on a busy seafront boulevard. Sea-facing rooms and those with balconies cost more but are the main reason to be here, since the view of the bay is the thing you cannot get from a courtyard room. Check which categories include a balcony when you book, and ask about the quieter side if you are a light sleeper.
Living in it
The spa makes this a rare Nice hotel that works as well in November as in July, and the private beach access across the street is a summer bonus. Breakfast, dinner and a drink on the terrace can all be had without leaving the building. The tram station at Alsace-Lorraine is about nine minutes away, the old town station of Nice-Ville about fourteen, and the airport is a short drive of about thirteen minutes.
Who it suits
Couples after a seafront spa break, travellers who like old-fashioned elegance more than minimalist design, and music lovers who might catch a candlelight concert. Families can use it but should confirm room configurations. Rates rise in high summer and Carnival, and falling shoulder-season prices make spring and autumn good times to book. Check the spa hours and treatment options before you arrive, and book massages early in high season.
Why stay here
- ✓Spa 27 with indoor pool, sauna, hammam and hot tub
- ✓Heated counter-current pool with aquabikes
- ✓Balneotherapy cabin
- ✓Gym
- ✓Le Duc restaurant with sea-view terrace
- ✓Bar Le W with terrace
- ✓Private beach access across the street
- ✓Free WiFi and 24-hour front desk
Good questions
Does the Westminster have a spa?+
Yes. Spa 27 has an indoor pool, sauna, hammam and hot tub, and there is also a heated counter-current pool with aquabikes.
Is the Westminster on the Promenade des Anglais?+
Yes, at number 27, about a minute from the Promenade and two minutes from the Blue Beach.
How far is it from Place Masséna?+
About ten minutes on foot.
