Le Grimaldi

Great staff and hotel

by A TripAdvisor Member

Le Grimaldi is one of the best hotels in Nice. The room and the hotel are extremely clean, and it is in a prefect location about halfway between the bus station and the train station. One can leisurely ride the bus from Nice to Menton and then quickly return to Nice by train when tired at the end of the day. I cannot say enough about the hotel staff. They speak English very well, are friendly, and personable. The front desk employee with whom I dealt suggested a great restaurant and took time and patience in explaining directions, translations, and French culture.

Another happy guest

by A TripAdvisor Member

My mother and I just returned after 3 nights at Le Grimaldi in Nice. As the other reviews report, its a delightful hotel, close to the beach and main pedestrian areas, but far enough to be quiet. We stayed in one of the standard rooms, and it was very nice. Our room had airconditioning, a safe, a fridge, and the hotel as a free internet area. The breakfast is quite expensive and its better to pick up something at one of the nearby restaurants or markets. The hotel offers discount coupons for the Ruhl Plage beach club, which we enjoyed. We wish we had stayed longer!

What a wonderful way to end our holiday!

by A TripAdvisor Member

My husband and I stayed at Le Grimaldi in October of last year based on all of the reviews that we saw on TripAdvisor. It was wonderful. It was the final stop on our holiday and what an incredible surprise! Upon arrival, we were informed by Sophie that we had been upgraded to a junior suite since we would be there for 4 days. After staying in a very cute, but very tiny room in Paris for six days, we were ecstatic! The room was not only really pretty, but huge; 2 bathrooms, 2 small balconies, a sitting area, writing desk and a double bed. It also had 2 closets!

We researched hotels for months, as we wanted to stay in a hotel that reflected the European environment (in other words, we didn't want to come home after sightseeing all day to a room that, if you had no idea where you were, could have been any US chain hotel room) and this was perfect.

Sophie (reception) and Sebastian (reception/bartender) were both so sweet and helpful, and made our stay all the better. We could not have been happier with our choice.

A wonderful find!

by A TripAdvisor Member

Wonderful! We stayed 2 nights for our honeymoon at the beginning of May 2004. The staff was gracious and warm. Our room was big and had huge windows. A great location 10 minute walk from the train station and near lots of great restaurants. Would stay here every visit to Nice!

Very impressive!

by TripAdvisor Member MGTB

We stayed for 3 nights in the May based on the reviews from this site. The 'classic' room had a walk-in closest, a toilet and separate bathroom, was really spacious and smelled wonderful. We couldn't fault this hotel, extremely clean, the staff very friendly and the location was quiet and central. It really was a beautiful and very sweet place and we would definately stay again. Also, I left some jewellery in the bathroom and they found it and posted it to me within a week!

Perfect In Every Way

by TripAdvisor Member Kakiebell

The Grimaldi is perfect in every way. It is in a great location and for the rate beats most four star hotels. The room was huge with three separate bathroom facilities-- a shower room, bath room and a room wtih bathtub and vanity. The extra bed was comfortable, the air conditioning kept the room at a perfect temperature and the amenities were fabulous. The breakfast room was nice but the staff made it an exceptional experience. They were friendly and very helpful. This is truly a great hotel.

PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE D'AZUR

by vibi68

In 1380, the duchess Jeanne 1st of Provence (1348-1382) - better known by the name of the Queen Jeanne - without children, adopts Louis of Anjou, Charles 5th's brother. The cousin of Louis, the duke Charles of Duras (or Durazzo), then carries out Aix' Union, the provencal "anti-angevin" party and assassinates Jeanne, thus declaring a war of succession which will end with the victory of the Anjou's party. Taking advantage of the chaos, the count of Savoy Amédée 7th "the Red", who wishes to have access to the sea, negotiates with Jean Grimaldi, Nice & Eastern Provence's governor, the dedition of Nice to Savoy (1388), whereby the city and its viguery, corresponding administrative division; the city of Puget-Théniers and the valleys of Tinée and Vésubie to constitute the new grounds of Provence and so, they are incorporated to Savoy. Savoy is at that time a powerful State, equipped with an important armed, prosperous force, well managed, unlike Provence. With the agreement of the populations, the Savoyard army settles then in these new grounds and Nice becomes its capital under a Savoyard governor's civil and military authority. Monaco is granted its independence, in 1489, by the king of France and the duke of Savoy. The new grounds of Provence take the name of county of Nice in 1526. The duke Charles-Emmanuel I of Savoy, in 1614, turns Nice into a frank port and establishes a senate. The county of Nice knows stability, contrary to the near Provence where revolts are frequent; however, the war between France and Savoy starts again during the 17th century and the county of Nice is occupied by France from 1691 to 1697 and from 1707 in 1713. In 1860, Napoleon III and Victor-Emmanuel II sign the treaty of Turin which calls for the rehabilitation of Nice in France without exerted pressure and according to the desire of its inhabitants. A vote is quickly organized and results into 25 743 yeas and 260 neys. The county of Nice, enlarged by the district of Grasse forms the new Alpes-Maritimes' department. On June 14th 1860, the French imperial troops enter Nice and the "liaison" is celebrated. Turin's treaty preserves the communes of Tendes and Brigue into Italian's grounds, for the Aoste Valley is favorite to the Sardaigne's king for hunting. These last communes will end up becoming French at the end of World War II, last addition to the French national territory and Alpes-Maritimes' department.

I visited mostly the Alpes-Maritimes' department (06) in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: the coast line called "French Riviera", stretching out for a couple excursions further into the land's Verdon's national parc (Var - 83) therefor, I can vouch for the beauty of many wonderful towns and sites to visit such as Cannes, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, La Turbie, St-Césaire, Les Gorges du Verdon, Trigance, the numerous coastal creeks along the shore and so many more fabulous places. Wether for clear turquoise water beaches, panoramic views from mountain cliffs, cities heavy with history and cultural activities, luxurious events and places, close by mountains to climb, parasail or simply trek... the French Riviera is everything one needs. The Riviera knows a climate of Mediterranean type characterized by an exceptional amount of sunny days, almost 300 per year with warm temperatures throughout the year. The not very frequent but abundant rains fall especially in march and april, october and november. In winter, frost is very rare but warm clothes are called for. The Riviera is a ground of abundance, the diversity of topics for visits and the eclecticism of activities suggested should satisfy any fussy traveler; do not miss the perched village of Gourdon, the Florian's ancestral candy factory in Pont-du-Loup, the gardens of Menton, the royal city of Monaco, the perfumes of Grasse and all their respective gastronomy. A mix of french and italian culinary flavors; sunkissed and rich in colors are reminiscent of the outdoor markets' odors and tastes. The region is home to many great chefs, all of whom are constantly inspired by the beauty of the land and the easiness and simplicity of its life. Aïolli, Ratatouille, Nicoise salad, Bouillabaisse are specialties not to be missed, as well as sweets such as Calissons, fruits confits, marrons glacés and the famous Cavaillon melons. Just like the land and its inhabitants, one can enjoy simple or luxurious eateries... but still, my favorite would be a small cafe where it is easy to soak up the sun with dwellers, watching a game of "Petanque" and a sipping a glass of the unforgettable regional Pastis. From 1915 to 1922, 7 years of prohibition raged over the Absynth and other anisated drinks, regarded as drugs. But as soon as the alcohol consumption is authorized again, (except for Absynth which remains cursed), it is then in Provence, the beginning of a true frenzy of the "little yellow". Refreshing and especially economic, it becomes the high-speed motorboat of counters. The different brands stay jealous keepers of the ingredients' proportions, maintaining the secrecy: green anise, star anise or fennel, liquorice, natural plant extracts and macerated or distilled alcohol. It's only in 1932, that Paul Ricard develops his own famous to this day pastis and replaces almost all others on this fabulous market... drink with moderation, as it is tricky.