Hôtel La Pérouse

Hôtel La Pérouse occupies one of the most dramatic positions in Nice. It is a boutique hotel run by the Compagnie Hôtelière de Bagatelle. It stands on the cliff of Castle Hill, above the seafront, at the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais, and its terraces look straight along the curve of the Baie des Anges. The tourism office describes the view as the most spectacular over the Mediterranean, and few guests would argue.

This four-star hotel has 53 rooms and suites, some with a balcony or terrace. Rooms facing the bay are the ones to book, although every guest can enjoy the view from the rooftop and the garden terraces. The hotel feels secluded despite being steps from the old town and the port, because it sits above the Promenade against the hill.

Facilities are generous for a hotel of this size. There is a swimming pool cut into the cliff face, a garden, a Mediterranean restaurant, the La Vista rooftop, a bar, a sauna, a solarium and a fitness room, and massages can be arranged. Room service, breakfast and air conditioning are standard, and the hotel holds the Clef Verte eco-label. Staff speak English, Italian, German and Spanish.

The hotel is open all year. There is a paid car park and other parking nearby, which is useful as the old town is largely pedestrian. Three rooms are adapted for guests with reduced mobility, and the hotel is accessible for wheelchair users with assistance. Pets are not allowed.

La Pérouse suits couples, honeymooners and anyone who values a view above all. It is also well placed for walkers who want to climb Castle Hill first thing in the morning, before the crowds arrive, and for anyone who wants to be within walking distance of both the old town and the port.

The beach and sea are within 300 metres, the Cours Saleya market and Vieux Nice are a few minutes on foot, and the port is on the other side of the hill. In the evening, the walk back along the Quai des Etats-Unis from dinner in the old town is one of the pleasures of staying here.