Villa la Tour

We booked only after landing in Nice because we were traveling on airline standby and didn’t know our arrival date or whether we’d get on the flight. We also hadn’t realized our dates overlapped with the Monte Carlo Grand Prix and the end of the Cannes film festival, so we couldn’t book ahead. The price was a little over 200 Euro per night, likely because so much was happening nearby. It’s lower at other times of the year. The location was perfect for us, in Old Town among charming alleys, shops, and restaurants, including one at the hotel. It’s in a historic building without elevators. We got their last room, which was quite small, though that’s common in the area. I’d been nervous after reading reviews about cleanliness, but our room was very clean. The stairwells are narrow, so we took our time carrying our bags up and down. The staff were gracious and couldn’t have been more helpful. I apologized for not speaking much French, and they all spoke with us in English. Their English was much better than my French, and I appreciated the effort. We missed having coffee or a kettle in the room, and the shower was very small. Those were our only complaints. If they’re not deal breakers for you, I’d recommend staying here, since the service more than made up for them.

What still bothers me is how the owner replied to my earlier review. I gave the place a 7, mainly because the woman at reception was lovely, and only mentioned that the room wasn't very clean. The reply I saw much later was rude and suggested I had asked to move rooms and was unhappy when that couldn't be arranged. I never asked. We were there briefly and had little luggage, so changing rooms wasn't something we needed. I also didn't think there could be a better room there. Ours was on the third floor. The stairs and room size weren't an issue, but the room was badly cleaned and absolutely not worth the high price. The location is the only good thing. The hotel was a disaster, and some of the people responding to honest reviews came across as rude and unprofessional. That 7 rating on booking sites was down to the nice receptionist; the Google rating seems much more accurate. I should have read those reviews before booking. There are a few positive reviews, but I find them hard to understand unless people have very low expectations. It's at best a two-star hotel and, in my view, should close for refurbishment. Whoever owns it should sell it, because they shouldn't be working in hospitality. I was kind enough to give it a 7, and the owner's response still managed to make me angry. Never again. Spend your money elsewhere.

I wouldn't recommend staying here. Our room felt cramped and dated, and the furnishings weren't comfortable. Cleanliness was questionable, while the staff seemed indifferent. The location didn't help either. It was an uncomfortable, disappointing stay.

Marina made my last night in Nice feel so special. She was incredibly welcoming and kind, thank you!