REVIEW: Hôtel La Pérouse offers a taste of classic French resort life
Situated at the foot of Nice’s famous Colline du Chateau is a hidden gem giving modern travellers a taste of the city’s illustrious past.
A city shaped by the winter sojourns of Europe’s 19th-century upper echelon, Nice is a classic French resort with picturesque Italian heritage owing to its Sardinian roots.
As such, many of Nice’s hotels enjoy the architectural splendour of travel’s gilded age, offering a plethora of top-notch accommodations.
However, you’d be hard-pressed to find a temporary abode with better views of the Mediterranean sea than Hôtel La Pérouse.
Location
Nestled between Old Town and the Port of Nice at the end of Rauba Capeù, Hôtel La Pérouse is a five-minute stroll from Le Marché Aux Fleurs with the Promenade des Anglais right on its doorstep.
During my stay, I managed to walk to most of Nice’s attractions from the hotel, but there is a comprehensive tram service for those short on time or energy that also stops at the airport and central train station making the hotel easily accessible via public transport.
If you can’t face carting your luggage across the countryside, a taxi to the airport is around €40, and €35 to Nice-Ville train station.
The hotel itself is located further back than its street-facing facade, so you need to take two lifts to get to the rooms, and another to get to its stunning rooftop. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the directions, but there are signs that make it much easier than it seems to locate your room. Staff are also more than happy to assist with getting your luggage.
The room
The room I stayed in was a Junior Suite with a Full Sea View, featuring a separate living area with a desk, a spacious sleeping area and a large bathroom with both a shower and bathtub.
The suite had two balconies, one in the living area and the other adjacent to the bed offering sweeping ocean views upon waking up as well as to be enjoyed from the lounge.
Amenities included a minibar and Nespresso machine, however, no hot water jug.
Overall, the Junior Suite offering was spacious and comfortable with unbelievable views. The furnishings were quirky though a little dated. Having said that, the hotel is set to undergo a full refurbish in October so watch this space.
Food and beverage
Hôtel La Pérouse’s restaurant, Le Patio, offers a delicious array of Mediterranean cuisine under the shade of the lemon trees which adorn the hotel’s garden.
Newly arrived chef Nicolas Vernier, who has two Michelin stars to his name, is in the process of designing a fresh menu paying tribute to the South of France with authentic and sunny flavours inspired by the Mediterranean region.
The hotel also features a poolside cocktail bar and a sauna, jacuzzi and fitness room on its solarium terrace, which boasts the best views of the Baie Des Anges right next to the Bellanda Tower.
Final thoughts
Though only dating back to the 1930s, Hôtel La Pérouse exemplifies Nice’s resort lifestyle offering privacy and quiet luxury on France’s Cote d’Azur.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
accommodation Colline du Chateau Hôtel La Pérouse hotel review Le Marché Aux Fleurs Old Town Promenade des Anglais Rauba Capeù resort lifeLatest News
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