Stay at Nice in February

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Nice in February? Lucky you! Nice has one of the largest Carnival celebrations in the world. Sure Venice and Rio de Janeiro get most of the press for their carnival celebrations but Nice is the undiscovered star. It’s incredible with things happening throughout the city for weeks. It starts on the 12th this year. Google Nice Carnival 2025 for more info.

Hotel West End is wonderful. Centrally located, right across from the beach. Excellent free breakfast. Ask for the superior rooms facing the ocean, very nice size. Thus hotel is just one black from the Negresco hotel.

Old town Nice is wonderful to walk around. We did a tour to Eze and Monaco, 1/2 day. We did a bigger tour to a winery in provence with a stop at Saint Paul de Vence, a medieval hilltop town…wonderful place to walk around. Lots of little shops.

Thank you!

I just stayed at the Hotel Splendid 2 weeks ago. Great hotel, about 5 blocks from the beach and and 3 blocks from the subway (Tram 2 and 3 lines). Roof top bar and breakfast room and pool, although in February it might be a bit bracing.
https://www.splendid-nice.com/en/

I generally recommend people find a hotel somewhere near the Carre d'Or (the area loosely bound by the Promenade des Anglais, Promenade du Paillon, Ave Jean Medecin, Blvd Victor Hugo and Blvd Gambetta) and few blocks to the NE. An additional area are the hotels along the Prom at the edge of the old town (including La Perouse). In the Old Town itself can be challenging for older guests as there may not be elevators (and fewer hotels, the exception being the new luxe Hotel du Couvent). These areas are close to most areas with restaurants, shops and many sites, and convenient to transport links. You may wish to go to the top of Castle Hill (le chateau), see the Cours Saleya market, go to a museum (Chagall, Matisse, Massena) or day trip to Menton, Monaco, Villefranche-sur-mer or Antibes.

Note, the Nice carnival route ends in Place Massena and there will be large grandstands set up for viewers. There are some hotels with views over the place that are either popular, or to be avoided during that time, depending on your perspective (there will be heightened crowds near the entrances). Note the Menton lemon festival overlaps with the carnival.

I agree with Sam. The Hotel Splendide treated me wonderfully. So much that I extended my stay with them a few days. It’s Right in the Carre d’Or neighborhood Gooster suggests. A few blocks to the beach (I had a small view from my balcony) and ten minute walk to the train station made the location perfect.

We stayed at the Hotel Splendid’s less expensive sister property: the Hotel Gounod. If you stay there you are able to use the rooftop facilities at the Hotel Splendid. So you could check both and see what fits your needs and budget.

Edited to add that I highly recommend the Chagall Museum.

I highly recommend the Hotel West End. It is on the expensive side but it is a good value. Wonderful staff and fantastic location!

Martin, totally agree. It has gotten more expensive since fall 2023, but we still made reservations this fall. I love being right there across from the promenade and the breakfast is wonderful!