A “nice” hotel in Nice.

sherfarnham - Nice Promenade des Anglais Hotel is a good one. It's on the Promenade des Anglais.

https://all.accor.com/hotel/0360/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps

Hotel Suisse Nice is a gem with beautiful balcony views of the Mediterranean. It's within your price range.

https://www.hotel-nice-suisse.com/en/

I loved where I stayed in Nice at Hotel Solara. It's on Rue de France, a pedestrian only street that leads to the Place Massena, old Nice, the tram to train station, etc. Lots of shops and restaurants on that street. It's a couple of blocks walk to the Promenade des Anglais. It's not fancy, just a 2 star hotel but room was nice and staff was pleasant and I loved the location.

I second Nancy’s recommendation- we have stayed there too , excellent location and reasonable price !

Some people like the Hotel Windsor (including the RS guide). It's a few blocks inland, however, as are the Gold Star Suites. On the Promenade des Anglais, besides the Mercure (and le Meridien), you have the Westminster and West End. I've heard good things about the HappyCulture boutique, include the Deck and the Jay. The choices in the Old Town near the sea are a bit more limited, except for the Suisse and perhaps the Beau Rivage (there is a Mercure there as well).

Note there is a special RS guide for the Riviera and Provence, with a large section on Nice.