Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée ★★★★★

This hotel first caught my eye many years ago. It was 1988, when my parents took me to the French Riviera for the first time. I was seventeen and I fell in love with the Riviera lifestyle: the epitome of French elegance. I was captivated by the luxury boutiques in the old part of the city, by the picturesque beaches of the Baie des Anges and the restaurants lining the Mediterranean coast. Of course, I was also impressed by the famous Promenade des Anglais, and would sit for hours to admire the blue sea, with a majestic hotel behind me: the Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée.

I rediscovered this emblematic hotel with a touch of nostalgia. It has been entirely renovated since I first saw it, retaining only the magnificent Art Deco façade. The rest has been completely transformed: more modern, more contemporary, and even more luxurious. I was looking forward to finally seeing the treasures hidden inside, interested to see how the legendary property had been reinterpreted for the present day.

We were greeted impeccably with a five-star welcome that left us with nothing to do but relax. From the moment you step inside, all your worries seem to float away.

We lingered in the magnificent hall for a moment, soaking up the atmosphere of a time when luxury, refinement and discretion were de rigueur. We then went to the bar and settled into a red velvet sofa to enjoy a cocktail and admire the captivating view. We made our way to our room, and couldn’t resist enjoying a moment on our private balcony, where we could look out to the swimming pool and the azure blue of the Baie des Anges. Blissful.

Eager to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine, we went to doze beside the pool and enjoy an exceptional view over the Promenade des Anglais. While I did a few lengths, my husband decided to find the fitness room. We met back up for a visit to the hotel spa, where we indulged in the pleasures of the sauna and steam rooms and left feeling refreshingly calm.

Still, this feeling of tranquillity did not let us forget about the establishment’s other offerings. Although Nice is brimming with excellent dining options, it is hard to resist the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, the Troisième. On sunny days, you can savour the Mediterranean dishes outside on the terrace. And then you just need to retire to your room, to enjoy the calm and quiet of this exceptional hotel, in the knowledge that a delicious breakfast will be waiting for you in the morning.