Hôtel Windsor

Hôtel Windsor is one of the most original places to stay in Nice. It occupies a nineteenth-century building on Rue Dalpozzo, a few streets back from the Promenade des Anglais, and it has been owned by the Redolfi family for more than 80 years. It is well known among lovers of contemporary art, because many of its rooms have been decorated by artists.

Each of the 60 rooms is different. Some feature frescoes and others were designed by contemporary artists, including Claudio Parmiggiani, so choosing a room can feel like choosing an installation. The hotel calls itself the Jungle Art Hotel, its lobby hosts changing exhibitions, and the 24-hour bar contains an installation by Nicolas Rubinstein inspired by Dumbo. Browse the rooms on the hotel's website before booking if you want a particular style; the simpler rooms are also comfortable and well kept.

The setting is a surprise in the centre of the city. Behind the building is a tropical garden around a giant rubber tree, with bamboo and bougainvillea, and an outdoor pool heated from May to October. In summer, breakfast is served under the rubber tree and dinner in the garden. There is a spa with massages, a hammam and a sauna. The restaurant uses organic vegetables and carries the Maître Restaurateur label, awarded to restaurants that cook fresh food on site, and half-board is available for stays of three nights or more.

The hotel holds the Clef Verte eco-label and the Qualité Tourisme label and takes part in the Nice Rainbow programme. It is accessible for wheelchair users without assistance, with three adapted rooms, and pets are welcome if declared at booking. Parking is available, including a paid car park, which is useful in central Nice. Staff speak English, Italian, German, Spanish and Dutch.

Room prices start at a level that is good value for a four-star hotel in Nice and rise for the larger artist rooms, so the Windsor suits a wide range of budgets. It appeals to couples, art lovers and families who want a pool without paying seafront prices.

From Rue Dalpozzo it is a short walk to the beach and the Promenade des Anglais, and Place Masséna and the old town are within comfortable walking distance.