The French Rivera's Exceptional Radisson Blu Hotel in Nice • We Blog The World

If you fancy private beaches, seaside champagne lunches, panoramic rooftop bars and infinity sea views from your balcony then say Bonjour to the Nice Radisson Blu.

A quick blink and you’re there. It’s just a 5-minute drive from the airport and an easy 10-minute drive from both the train station and the port, you’ll be soaking up the Côte d’Azur sunshine just as fast as you can slip on your swimsuit.

Perfectly situated between Monaco and Antibes, Nice is a stunner anytime of year. Staying in Nice is by far the most economical choice in the Côte d’Azur – even in high season. And the Nice Radisson Blu is one of the few hotels that offer overnight parking; that makes day-tripping to nearby Eze Village, Grasse, St. Paul de Vence or Antibes even more convenient.

Panoramic Rooftop Terrace

Nighttime View of the Bay of Nice from the Rooftop Pool

I found that the Radisson Blu Hotel Nice had all the convenience of a modern hotel without losing any of that ooh la la French Rivera experience I was looking for. In fact, the hotel’s expansive panoramic rooftop terrace pool is a favorite with locals in the summer to soak in not only the sun; but also the incredible view of the famous Baie des Anges. The hotel just went through an extensive renovation. I found it to be light, bright and full of French Rivera charm.

The rooms well appointed with flat LCD screens, free ADSL and Wifi. The bathrooms were large and luxurious. And I was particularly pleased that the desk actually faced the window – finally, not the wall. So when I had to check emails and do a bit of work I could still soak in the incredible panoramic sea view. And with double paned glass balcony doors, I would never have known I was 5-minutes from the airport

Room with a Sea View

Sixty percent of the rooms have what I call and infinity sea view of the Bay of Nice. And as blue as the Cote d’Azur is, the hotel is also focused on being green. It the won the Think Planet Award 2014 for its energy savings. I found a great wellness center on the 7^th floor with sauna, steam bath, and cardio machines. But I preferred to get my exercise along the famous Promenade des Anglais.

So, what should you do while in Nice? Definitely, enjoy all that the Nice Radisson Blu has to offer. Because it doesn’t just give you a place to stay; it also gives you access to some of the most coveted locales of the Côte d’Azur.

Walk across the street to the hotel’s private beach Régence Plage by Radisson Blu and book a front line day lounge. Here time melts away into memories of seafood towers. And you count the hours by empty cocktails. You can even have champagne and fresh fish delivered to your lounge chair.

Régence Plage by Radisson Blu

Lunch at Régence Plage by Radisson Blu

Thursday nights the famous nightclub Bubbles Cave sets up residence on the rooftop and being a guest gets you preferred entrance. Also their private beach doubles as one of the Cote d’Azure’s hottest summer beach parties, where you can rub elbows with some of who’s who of Nice. Again, your room key gives you access.

Make sure to check out the Lobby’s Bar’s cocktail list for an entire page dedicated to champagne cocktails. Most of which I had never heard of before. One particular favorite new champagne was Duval Leroy – so smooth!

For dinner head to their new Le 223 restaurant headed by chef Christophe Vandewinckel serving up Provencal gastronomic fare. It’s rare that a hotel restaurant is excellent – but truly it was. I let my waiter expertly guide me down the menu and pair my dishes from the soup to main to my tarte tartin with delicious wines such as a new favorite: Sauvignon Blanc Sancerre. In the summertime, Le 223 gives way to poolside dinning with a panoramic sea view at La Terrasse on the 8th floor. Either way, pas mal.

La Terrasse on the 8th Floor

During the day take a stroll down the famous Promenade des Anglais on foot or rent a bicycle and people watch as you head to Place Garibaldi in centre ville Nice, which is just a 30-minute walk.

And if you want to go big (you are in the Côte d’Azur, after all) let the concierge arrange for you to arrive in style – by helicopter – to Monaco with Heli Aiz Monaco. Or in winter pop to the Alps for a quick ski, by helicopter. It’s the ultimate way to hit the slops. Talk about ski in/ski out!

A Few Tips for Nice and staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel Nice:

Be mindful about the seasons. In the winter, the pool is not open and the Terrasse restaurant is only open for lunch, weather permitting.

Definitely be open to trying new French wines and champagnes – especially ones you’ve never heard of before. Their drink menu and wine list are exceptionally curated.

Save time for breakfast, even in you have an early flight. It’s complimentary and delicious with perfect croissants and an entire buffet of local fare.

Nice’s beach is made up of pebbles, not sand. If sand is a must, Antibes is the perfect day trip.

DETAILS

Radisson Blu Hotel Nice ****

223 Prom. des Anglais, 06200

Nice, France +33 4 97 17 71 77

*I was a guest of the Radisson Blu Hotel Nice. This review is a true representation of my experience at the hotel.

Donna Sozio

Author, journalist and publishing consultant, Donna Sozio has been featured in 200+ media outlets including the Tyra Banks Show, Early Show, Fox News, Good Day LA, Seventeen Magazine, Yahoo! Personals, Match.com, Lavalife.com, WeBlogtheWorld.com, EcoSalon.com, OrganicAuthority.com and many more.

Her books The Man Whisperer (Adams Media) and Never Trust a Man in Alligator Loafers (Kensington) were Amazon.com bestsellers, had TV/Film options and were translated into German, Portuguese and Czech.