Effortlessly casual Nice hotel exuding Parisian, bohemian spirit mixed with French Riviera chicness
Hotel Amour / Nice / Côte d’Azur / France
The word I am looking for is casual. Actually two words, casual chic. To create something that exudes casual chicness, an effortless elegance is nothing short of an art form. And no-one can quite master this quite like the French. And to this date, I don’t think I have ever experienced a more heightened version than here, at Hotel Amour Nice.
The 38-key hotel is the sister property of Amour Paris (where I have stayed at, but that was before I started this blog so no feature from there, unfortunately). If the Parisian outpost feels more urban, and dare I say risqué, this one has been infused with a huge dose of that Côte d’Azur joie de vivre (yes, that is me boldly bragging with my French skills). This hotel has an urban element to it, an artistic, Parisian, intellectual look and the other element is one foot is paying an homage to the elegant, but yet relaxed French Riviera spirit. It is like they got married, and this is their love child. This child is all about a kind of cheeky bohemian boldness.
Hotel Amour Nice is located in a more residential part of town, a couple of blocks from the famous Promenade des Anglais, and the azure blue Mediterranean. It is interesting, since the exterior is fairly discreet compared to what you will experience on the inside. The interior is full of life, of colors, of warmth. The design has a softness to it with chunky, mismatching furniture, vintage pottery, antique mirrors and a very eclectic selection of boot sale finds. And one ”feature” that must be mentioned is the people. It is like stepping into some kind of photo shoot or some kind of French movie. It was just such a joy to people watch trying to eavesdrop to the conversations happening around me (this is where I stop bragging with my French skills). We loved it so much we ended up eating both breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel.
The rooms are all different. Luckily I was staying with friends so at least I got to experience two rooms, ours was a deep azure blue, while the other one was a rich yellow. The room was furnished with mid-century furniture, sourced from local antique shops and it was showered in the soft, Riviera light through wall-to-celing windows, offering a great view of the roof tops of Nice.
I just have to mention two more things, first is the restaurant. It isn’t only frequented by a hip, interesting crowd, but it also serves up some great Greek-inspired dishes so a kind of must when staying here. The other thing is that the hotel has its own private beach club where you can take a dip followed by a chilled glass of rosé and a light lunch under striped parasols, enjoying the soft breeze coming in from the sea. Please, take me back right at this instant!
Welcome to Hotel Amour! The exterior of the hotel is fairly discreet compared to what you will find on the inside.
The hotel is located on a (fairly) quiet residential street, a couple of blocks from Promenade des Anglais and the sea.
Always a fan of hotels that still have real keys for the rooms instead of boring plastic.
We have gotten our key and some great information about the hotel and what to do when in Nice.
The fitted carpet in the elevator had very...interesting pattern. At first I just thought it was some kind of floral- and plant arrangement...
Our room was on the top floor with great views of the roof tops of Nice.
The room was painted in a vibrant azure blue hue. A first for me but very fitting for a room on the French Riviera.
The bathroom was placed in the room...
...as so was the bath tub. All dressed up in pink marble.
Bathroom products from Swiss brand Soeder, 100% organic.
The room of my friend Susanne. A completely different look and feel but still very much honoring that effortlessly French bohemian look.
The restaurant/bar, located one floor below the reception. Took this photo early in the morning before the hotel had awakened. My favorite time of day to snap photos when I stay at hotels.
The bar with the double height ceiling and factory style windows.
This is what I wish my home looked like.
The covered courtyard is filled with plants making it feel like a fabulously designed green house.
On the roof top there is a small bar and a pool where you can cool off during hot days.
The bar/restaurant during brunch, full of people and a very French, relaxed energy.
My go-to drink when in France, a glass of chilled rosé.
The food at the bistro is Greek/Eastern Mediterranean. And so delicious!
Night time is setting over Nice and Hotel Amour.
The sun slowly rising over Maritime Alps.
Breakfast time!
I love that everything at the hotel is branded; plates, glasses...
...coffee cups, sugar bags...
A couple of blocks from the hotel the sea is awaiting you.
The hotel has a private beach club, well worth a visit.
Since Nice is close to Italy (it even used to be Italian and was called Nizza), it is easy to find delicious ice-cream. The best one according to me is Fenocchio.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are looking for a really great, unique urban hotel in Nice with both a roof top pool and its own beach club down by the sea. If you like your hotel to be buzzing with an eclectic mix of locals and visitors you will simply love Hotel Amour.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the design. I know this is a very broad statement but I just love, love, love the effortless but still bold, the relaxed but yet elegant, the chic but yet casual design. It is maximalist, rich, cheeky and oh so fun. My only problem is that I wish I could get to stay in all the rooms. Luckily I stayed here with friends so at least I got to see two of them. And this wish to see more is a good reason to come back.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to eat at the hotel. Regardless if you go during breakfast, for brunch/lunch or at dinner it is always full with a colorful mix of people and the energy is high. And if the weather permits (which is often since this is the French Riviera), it is a must to visit the Amour Beach Club down by the sea. And maybe have a Salade Nicoise and a glass of rosé in the shade under a parasol.
If you like this hotel you might also like…
Tuba Club, Marseille, France
W Ibiza, Ibiza, Spain
Le Pigalle, Paris, France
