Are you planning to spend a night in Nice, but don’t want a standard, simple hotel? If you are seeking originality, here are the most unusual and unique hotels in Nice and the surrounding countryside.
First, let’s locate the hotels on the map:
In a hurry? Here are my suggestions in short:
- The most unusual: La Bulle, Le Lov’Nid, or La Cabane Dans les Arbres
- The least expensive: L’hôtel Ozz
- The most luxurious: Le Negresco
- The most artistic: Le Windsor
- With a 1920s theme: Le Jay
Le Windsor Jungle Art Hotel****
Address: 11 rue Dalpozzo, 06000 Nice
4.5/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the sea, the Windsor Jungle Art Hotel invites you to enjoy an artistic and original stay.
Rooms designed by artists
The hotel offers four types of rooms with three different themes, but the rooms designed by artists are what makes the hotel unique.
For several years now, contemporary artists have been coming to draw and paint rooms as though they were blank canvases.
If you have an interest in the arts, you should choose one of these 31 rooms with various designs.
We especially like the Privilege Room designed by Nicolas Rubinstein in 2021.
The travelling artist’s design for the room was inspired by Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s famous book “Le Petit Prince”.
For a more romantic room, opt for a room with a mural.
Designed by Antoine Baudoin, the murals are inspired by famous places, characters, and fairytale scenes that will take you on a journey and accompany your sweet dreams.
The last type of room is the Tribute Room. As its name suggests, these rooms are decorated in honor of famous artists or masterpieces.
The hotel has four tribute rooms that pay in homage to:
- Jean Cocteau through Konstantin Sgouridis’ masterpiece
- Coco Chanel by Jean Le Gac
- Nice artists Niki de Saint Phalle and Yves Klein
- Simone Simon during the shooting of Gériko’s movie
A jungle in the city
In addition to the unusual rooms, the hotel is in a unique location.
Bamboo, bougainvillaeas, and fruit trees join you during your stay and encourage your mind to travel and dream.
You can take a stroll through the hotel’s tropical garden or sit on the terrace for a drink in the jungle.
If you don’t mind the water, take a dip in the large turquoise pool surrounded by vegetation and enjoy the moment.
For a moment of relaxation, head to the hotel’s zen area to enjoy the Turkish bath, the sauna, and various body and facial treatments (reservations are required).
Price: From €164
We like: The unique and artistic rooms.
We love: The tropical jungle-looking garden.
>> Information & Booking <<
The Deck Hotel by HappyCulture****
Address: 2 rue Maccarani, 06000 Nice
4.4/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the famous Promenade des Anglais, The Deck Hotel invites you to come aboard for a Greek stay on the Mediterranean.
All aboard!
With its blue and white hues and light decoration, this hotel offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of the south. Forget that you are in the city and come aboard!
Fun detail: the hotel’s floors are named “deck 1”, “deck 2”, etc.
The hotel offers four rooms and a junior suite, each decorated with a white and blue sea theme. The rooms’ indoor areas range from 10m² to 25m².
The junior suite is 25m² and has a nice covered terrace that overlooks the city.
Game room and relaxation
The Deck Hotel has everything you need to stay busy.
To relax, head to the patio, an enclave of light above the hotel’s inner courtyard. Here you can enjoy a drink or breakfast.
The Greek lounge has high-speed internet, making it the perfect place for workaholics or those who just want a few minutes of quiet.
If you are ready for some fun, head to the hotel’s game room. You will find the “carré”, a comfortable area surrounded by an XXL sofa. There is a pool table and a foosball table nearby for you to enjoy a few games with your friends or family.
Price: From €220
We like: The cruise atmosphere and the marine decorations.
We love: The game room with a pool table and a foosball table.
>> Information & Booking <<
Hôtel The Jay by HappyCulture****
Address: 21 Rue Meyerbeer, 06000 Nice
4.4/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
Near the Promenade des Anglais and the sea, Hotel The Jay pays tribute to the roaring twenties and Jay Gatsby, the protagonist from Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel. The author spent some time in the French Riviera.
Art Déco & sophistication
Original is the word! The Jay takes you back in time with its sophisticated and elegant decorations. In keeping with the atmosphere, The Jay offers jazzy playlists and amber-scented perfume in the hotel.
The hotel has three types of rooms and suites.
Each room has a kitchenette to provide the luxury of an apartment with the added service of a hotel.
Rooms are decorated in apple green, dark green, and brown in an old-fashioned, masculine chic style with sophisticated materials like leather and velvet.
A restaurant by the beach
When it’s time to eat, The Jay offers two restaurants.
You can go to Les 2 Terrasses restaurant, which is a few steps away from the hotel. The restaurant offers Mediterranean dishes that you can savor indoors or on one of its two terraces.
Themed evenings are often organized at the restaurant.
If you want to enjoy the sea while eating, head to Blue Beach, a peaceful restaurant that allows you to relax far from the traffic of the city.
Price: From €220
We like: The two restaurants, especially the one by the sea.
We love: The chic decorations from the 1920s that pay tribute to The Great Gatsby.
>> Information & Booking <<
Hôtel So’Co by HappyCulture***
Address: 27 Avenue Thiers, 06000 Nice
4.3/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
Near the train station and 12 minutes from the beach, So’Co Hotel is a trendy hotel with an industrial design.
Arranged as a loft, the hotel offers a workshop atmosphere with all the comforts of a 3-star hotel.
Raw and industrial materials
With a Chesterfield living room of old leather that opens into a dining room furnished with large tables made of raw wood or iron and metal chairs, So’Co Hotel will make you feel like you are at home.
Its rooms are decorated in the same style with metal posts, “sloppy” or “unfinished” grey and white paint behind the beds, a wooden wardrobe and desk, and leather ottomans and seats.
In the bathroom, you will find a selection of Nuxe cosmetic products.
Play games in a retro atmosphere
In the hotel’s lounge and the open-plan dining room that is also decorated in a retro and industrial style, you will find plenty to enjoy.
Board games and puzzles are available in the lounge, and in the dining room you can enjoy a game of foosball with your friends or family.
Price: From €160
We like: The comfortable rooms with their industrial design.
We love: The lounge and the open-plan dining room with its retro, workshop-style decorations.
>> Information & Booking <<
Nice Excelsior Hotel****
Address: 19 Avenue Durante, 06000 Nice
4.3/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
At the heart of the Musicians Quarter and a 12 minute walk from the beach, the Nice Excelsior Hotel is a travel themed hotel that occupies an old 19th-century building.
Extend your journey at the hotel
The hotel offers three different rooms and two suites, each with a travel theme and bright colors.
With its trunks and murals inspired by travel books, you can continue your journey even while you dream.
The rooms and suites range in size from 17m² to 25m².
A garden with a bar
Down the hotel’s uniquely decorated staircase, you can access the various services of the hotel.
At the back of the hotel, you will find a small decorated garden where you can sit or stroll.
Next to it is the hotel’s terrace and its bar, L’Excel’Bar, which offers cocktails, Champagne, and snacks.
You can enjoy your drink at a table made of white pallets under triangular sunshades.
For a relaxing moment outdoors, go to the small garden in front of the hotel.
The natural stools are available for anyone who wants to enjoy a drink or read one of the many travel books available at the hotel.
Before leaving, don’t forget to leave a note in the Coin des Voyageurs (Travelers’ Corner) to share one of your experiences in the city or at the hotel.
Price: From €170
We like: The Travelers’ Corner that allows us to leave a trace of our passage and fits into the hotel’s theme.
We love: The murals and drawings in the rooms and common areas.
>> Information & Booking <<
Le Negresco*****
Address: 37 Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice
4.6/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
Built in 1913, the Negresco is full of culture and history. It is situated by the sea on the famous Promenade des Anglais.
Sometimes described as a museum hotel, the Negresco is home to countless enchanting masterpieces.
Sophisticated rooms and suites
Each of the hotel’s rooms is uniquely decorated. From period furniture to artistic furniture and simple pieces, you will find the essence of the hotel in every room.
You have many options when choosing where to sleep at the Negresco: there are five types of rooms, six types of suites, and eleven special suites.
It would take too long to describe each of these rooms and suites, but here are some examples:
- The 30m² Deluxe Rooms with views of the sea are decorated in blue, beige, pink, or grey.
- The 30m² Rivoli Double Rooms are the most modern and colorful rooms in the hotel.
- The 100m² Angels’ Suite is located under the hotel’s round dome. It offers a 180° view of Nice and the bay. Decorated in gold and purple, it even has a private dining area.
- The three luxury suites, the Montserrat Caballé, Marie Leszczynska, and Marie-Antoinette Suites, are each sumptuously decorated with period furniture and fabrics. Each has a spacious, columned terrace that overlooks the sea.
Luxury and the beach
The Negresco has two restaurants run by head chef Virginie Basselot: Le Chantecler, a luxury restaurant, and La Rotonde, a brasserie-style restaurant with a chic and relaxed atmosphere.
If you wish to spend a quiet moment over a drink, the bartender will give you a warm welcome in the Negresco’s bar, which is decorated with walnut woodwork and period furniture.
The hotel offers access to a gym and the Neptune private beach, located in front of the hotel, where you can try a variety of water sports.
If you are traveling with your children, they will be pampered also. Coloring books, small gifts, children’s menus, pedal cars, and much more are waiting for them.
Children between the ages of four and ten can take part in art workshops for €45 per child. A small snack is included.
Price: From €800
We like: The rooms inspired by French art.
We love: The museum-hotel aspect and the artistic atmosphere.
>> Information & Booking <<
Hotel Ozz by HappyCulture
Address: 18 Rue Paganini, 06000 Nice
4.3/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
Hotel Ozz is just a few steps away from the train station and the beach. This relaxed hotel is perfect for a trip with friends.
With its modern, workshopesque, and colorful style, it’s the perfect place for a fun and trendy stay.
Room or dormitory?
Hotel Ozz offers two choices for sleeping, a room or a dormitory.
If you are a party of two, the 12m² Double Room will do just fine. Decorated in turquoise and white, it has a small desk area and a TV, as well as a private bathroom.
If you come with several people, you can book a whole dormitory. Otherwise, you can reserve just one bed and share the room with other people. It’s a nice way to make new friends!
The dormitories have light wooden bunk beds with a small curtain on each bunk to give you some privacy. The rooms are 14m² and can be co-ed or all female.
A friendly spirit
In the hotel’s large, turquoise-colored common room, you can enjoy various activities with friends or new acquaintances.
Foosball, table tennis, board games, and darts are all available for a fun evening.
In addition to the games, Hotel Ozz offers daily activities such as language cafés, game evenings, dance evenings, karaoke, board game evenings, and much more. There is something for everyone!
The common room also has a bar, which is open from 5 pm to 11 pm, and a dining area.
To enjoy the sunshine, the hotel’s terrace is a great place for a drink or a chat with friends.
Price: From €100
We like: The colorful and modern decorations.
We love: The friendly spirit and the various activities available.
>> Information & Booking <<
Villa Otero by HappyCulture
Address: 58 Rue Hérold, 06000 Nice
4.1/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
In the heart of the Musicians Quarter and a few minutes from both the train station and the beach, Hotel Villa Otero is a hotel housed in a building from the 1920s.
Rooms from the past
With its precious wallpapers and rooms that pay homage to the Belle Epoque, the Otero’s rooms offer original decorations and a pleasant stay.
The hotel offers five room types that range in size from 15m² to 22m².
With mirrors, classic paintings, and period photos, the hotel’s rooms and common areas will take you back in time.
A conservatory
At the entrance to the hotel, you will find a conservatory-looking, tea room styled lounge reminiscent of the resorts of the 1860s.
With its leather and velvet armchairs in a magnificent shade of blue that is reminiscent of the sea, it is the ideal place to chat and have a drink.
The dining room, decorated in the same tones, welcomes you for all your meals, from the buffet breakfast that is served from 7 am to 11:30 am or a meal from the Bon Gourmet, the hotel’s corner restaurant.
Price: From €170
We like: The old building from the 1920s.
We love: The decorations that mix old and modern.
>> Information & Booking <<
La Bulle aux Etoiles
Address: Route du col de la Couillole 06470 Beuil (80 km from Nice)
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4.6/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
Camping du Cians (website in French) invites you to discover a unique and unusual way to spend the night.
Would you like to sleep in a bubble surrounded by snow at an altitude of 1450m?
The bubble is fully transparent, but there is a 360° curtain to ensure complete privacy.
The bubble is also heated, and there is a private bathroom just a few steps away.
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Spend a magical night under the stars in the middle of nature without sacrificing comfort.
In the morning, you will wake up facing the gigantic Mount Mounier before being treated to a delicious breakfast with homemade jams that is served at the entrance to the bubble.
Extras are available to make your stay even more unforgettable: a private jacuzzi on the terrace, Champagne, hiking, access to the sauna, and much more.
Price: From €250
We like: The proximity to nature.
We love: Sleeping under the stars while tucked into a nice, warm bed.
>> Information & Booking (website in French) <<
Orion Treehouses
Address: Impasse des peupliers 2436, chemin du Malvan 06570 Saint-Paul de Vence (80 km from Nice)
4.6/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
Located in the great outdoors near Cagnes-sur-Mer, Orion’s domain invites you to spend a week in one of their four cabins that are named after characters from The Jungle Book.
These amazing wood cabins are built up in the trees and are accessed by wide stairs.
The King Louie & Mowgli cabins are intended for a family – the two cabins provide plenty of space for even a large family group. The Bagheera cabin is meant for two and features a sunny terrace; the Shere Khan cabin and its teak bathtub are intended for two adults and one child; the Colonel Hathi cabin can house two adults and three children.
With their cozy, rustic interiors, these cabins are perfect for a comfortable and atypical stay in the middle of nature.
When the weather is nice, you can enjoy the natural swimming pool, the swings, and the deckchairs. If you visit in the winter, there is a sauna to help you stay warm.
The huge 7,000m² domain is perfect for walks and hikes in all types of weather.
Price: From €1,600/week
We like: The cozy and rustic atmosphere.
We love: Sleeping in the trees.
>> Information & Booking <<
Lov’Nid Spa de Belvédère
Address: Piste du Cougnas, 06450 Belvédère (60 km from Nice)
4.4/5 : France Hotel Guide’s expert rating
Les Ecrins de Belvédère offer guests the chance to spend a night nestled in the trees in their Lov’Nid (website in French).
The Lov’Nid is a small round hut perched 5m above the ground. It’s a cozy little cocoon with a large, comfortable bed.
The roof of the Lov’Nid is transparent, so you can watch the starry sky before going to sleep.
To reach the Lov’Nid, you will have to cross a path and might get to meet the animals of the domain.
Once over the bridge, you will find your cocoon and its private outdoor jacuzzi.
Just a few steps away from your cocoon is a Scandinavian pod that can either accommodate two extra people in a double bed or serve as an additional living space with tables and chairs.
During your stay, the estate’s communal lounge is open to you with a fireplace, books, and board games.
If you are looking for a unique romantic getaway, we highly recommend the Lov’Nid du Belvédère.
Price: From €190
We like: The private jacuzzi.
We love: Watching the starry sky before falling asleep in the trees.
>> Information & Booking (website in French) <<
Conclusion: which atypical hotel in Nice should you choose?
To sum up everything we’ve discussed: if you’re looking for the most atypical accommodations, we recommend choosing either La Bulle (website in French), Lov’Nid (website in French), or the tree houses. If you are looking for an extraordinary luxury hotel, go to Le Negresco. For a hotel with an artistic concept, we recommend Le Windsor, and for a return to the 1920’s, Le Jay is the perfect hotel. The most affordable hotel is Hotel Ozz.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
