Hostel Smith

Great location, and being able to check in and out flexibly was a plus. The bathrooms weren't clean, and they're shared by men and women. Shower rooms are tiny, with glass doors that don't lock. There wasn't a reliable supply of toilet paper either. The rooms are hard for women to shower in if you don't need to wash your hair. The sheets and blankets were dirty, and the kitchen was the worst part, really filthy. You can hear people talking next door at night, so go here only if you're willing to give up some sleep.

Our booking was for a private studio with its own bathroom, but the room wasn't at the listed address. The owner (?) walked us to 5 rue de la tour, on the north side of Old Nice. After reading other reviews, I worried about bed bugs or theft, though I think those comments may have been about the dorms at the registered address. We checked the mattress carefully and saw a few small brown spots that can sometimes indicate bed bugs, but didn't find any bugs. The pull-out sofa bed sagged in the middle and wasn't comfortable. There was no AC, though the fan did the job. The kitchenette was decent and included a fridge, and the bathroom was good. It's right on a busy street, so nights were noisy. Bring earplugs.

I spent just one week at Hostel Smith and loved it. The location is handy: two minutes to a grocery store, four to the nearest tram or bus stop, and five to the beach. The staff were really sweet and helpful, always doing their best. It was clean, friendly, and quiet, and I can definitely recommend it to anyone looking for that kind of stay. Breakfast was included too. I'll be back!

Nice itself was beautiful, but I'd suggest staying elsewhere. The location was the one bright spot. Our private room had a single window straight onto the smoking area, which stayed noisy very late. It was also really hot, with no fan or AC, so opening the window was the only option. The bed frames were bent and sagging, the mattresses were old and thin, and the pillows were long overdue for replacement. The hostel had very limited facilities, and reception offered no advice or maps.