Area to stay Nice, FRANCE

I'm looking to stay in Nice in July for four nights as well so I'd also love some recommendations. After doing some research, I thought that the beach/promanade/Old Town areas sounded good but the hotels are pricey. I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to spring for a view of the ocean. I've heard good things about Hotel Suisse, Hotel Windsor and a few other properties. I looked on VBRO for rentals but I didn't find much that I was interested in. Maybe others have some ideas.

The most central areas are the Carre d'Or and the few blocks around Place Massena, plus the Old Town. The Old Town is also a favorite, but can be a bit touristy (and bit noisy on certain squares). That is roughly the area bordered by the Promenade des Anglaise, Blvd Gambetta, Blvd Victor Hugo, Rue Alberti and the Promenade du Paillon.

Villas for a short duration may be a bit more difficult to come by in the central city. Actual houses tend to be on the outskirts. Mont Boron is one area (above the Port, to the east) that may have some for rent. There are sea and Port views from this area. I've stayed up there before we bought, and looked to buy in that neighborhood. It's a steep walk down to the Port, an increasingly popular area. VilleFranche-sur-Mer, just over the hill, may also have some more.

For apartment rentals be sure to check out homeaway/VRBO and tripadvisor rentals, besides airbnb. You can also go to the sites of local specialists Nice Pebbles, Nestor & Jeeves/Ashley Parker, Nice YNA and others. Some of those are cross-listed on the sites, but not all. Note regarding the Prom, be aware there is traffic noise and higher floors are better. Also, check for AC.

Originally we were thinking outside of town, but think we will look in Old Town due to the hustle and bustle of Nice and not wanting to fight traffic in an area we don't know. I will continue to look but welcome additional suggestions.
Anyone have experience with Food and Wine tours in Nice? Also looking at the Provence Countryside Day Trip.
We are super excited...

For tours, Rosa Jackson's Les Petits Farcis market tours and cooking class have been recommended. Nice is not a big wine district (due to a historical blight), with the wineries being more prevalent around St. Tropez. The Bellet region is the main producing area in Nice. Certain day tours do include the Bellet region (or elsewhere), along with some beautiful hill towns. I've not taken any of those, however. Friend in France is one firm that some people like.

I'd also look into the adjacent Carre d'Or (contained within the Promenade section in RS's Riviera book). Buildings and apartments there are more likely to have second bathrooms, elevators, sea views and AC, but still have charming exteriors and are close to the old town.

I'm not sure how helpful my comments will be but my wife and I will also be in Nice for a few days at end of May as our Rick Steves tour ends there. I researched the whole apartment thing in the Fall and found a lot of selection at the time on VRBO and Expedia, however the closer you are to the water and Old Town the costlier it will be and I'm finding a lot that I looked at then are now sold out. The Monaco Grand Prix is the week before and so maybe people are staying afterwards and booking everything up. We decided against the apartment and settled on the Hotel Albert 1 near Old Town and the water. It seemed like a short walk to everything and about 10-15 minutes to the train station.

I stayed at this wonderful apartment on Place Massena 4 years ago. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths. the listing does not show a registration number, but I am not sure if one is required in Nice or just for Paris rentals. Still getting good reviews. Unbelievable location.

https://www.homeaway.co.uk/p1322092

Just a note on registration numbers, Nice does require registrations. In fact, just last week the mayor announced a new brigade of inspectors to crack down on unlicensed units (it also impacts the metro area) and a new set of regulations that were approved in late December. I don't know what impact it will have, but it is a new initiative. There are two forms of registration, one that is valid for 120 days rentals per year (limited to primary residences) and a change of use authorization for more than 120 days/yr or for secondary residences (that number begins with a "US")

We stayed in Nice in October 2017 and booked an apartment through Nice Pebbles, excellent company, great options, good web-site would absolutely use them again