It had been 13 years since I’d set foot in Nice, but I still had vivid memories of posing for photos in front of the Fontaine du Soleil, resting in bright blue chairs on the promenade while gazing out over the Mediterranean Sea, and gorging myself on socca as I strolled down Old Town alleyways.
So, when I heard that Maison Albar Hotels had opened their newest luxury stay in Nice, a mere 30 m from the beach, I hopped on a flight and headed down.
Location
The Maison Albar – Le Victoria is perfectly placed between the Promenade des Anglais and Place Masséna, which makes it the ideal base to explore Nice. You can wander your way over to Old Town for gelato, go for a quick dip in the sea or enjoy some upmarket shopping at the luxury boutiques dotting the base of the hotel. There are also multiple transport options close by to take you wherever you wish to go.
But, honestly, I feel like the real magic happens when you walk. The beautiful surprises that greet you along the way, the people you meet and the mistaken streets you turn down. Getting lost in Nice is half the fun.
Design
Have you ever seen the film Beautiful Creatures? There is a scene where the protagonist steps inside a mysterious old house and is astonished to find the most stunning modern white interior with a spiralling staircase.
That is exactly how I felt entering Le Victoria, as I was met with beautiful marble finishes, dangling chandeliers, tones of white that whispered understated luxury, and, the star of the show, the spiralling staircase. It was perfect.
The design concept was created to be reminiscent of an immobile cruise, with Art Deco inspiration splashed throughout. Being freshly opened, everything felt bright and airy, with natural light streaming through the windows and the smell of the sea breeze drifting in.
Rooms
I was overjoyed when I entered my room for the first time, and I felt so comfortable immediately. The carpet was plush and soft, and I had a beautiful view from my balcony of the park and sea in the distance.
I donned a robe and immediately fell onto my bed, which enveloped me in its soft bedding and plump pillows. I was in heaven.
Next, I explored the bathroom, which featured marble finishes, a high-tech smart toilet and a spacious shower. Now, a good shower is absolutely paramount to me. It needs to have the perfect pressure, good temperature, and the water-to-body ratio needs to be just right. Thankfully, it ticked every single box.
Food & Drink
On the rooftop, you’ll find Taulissa restaurant, which is truly glorious at sunset, offering beautiful 360-degree views of Nice that are quite jaw-dropping. Being high up, you can pick up sounds from the local area too. While I was dining on the rooftop, I could hear an opera singer in the distance, which made the meal magical.
As a vegan traveller, I always pay close attention to how hotels handle dietary requests. The staff went above and beyond to communicate with the talented chefs, who then delivered a masterful selection of vegan Provençal-inspired dishes using local and seasonal ingredients.
Esteemed chefs Glenn Viel and Fred Grava describe each dish as coming with “a touch of madness”, which I absolutely adore. You will indeed be surprised and delighted by the finishing touches and presentation, no matter which dish you order. The restaurant is also open for lunch and is the setting for the morning buffet breakfast.
Amenities
I was lucky enough to have a quick visit to Oria Spa during my stay, where I was led through labyrinth-style corridors bathed in beige and soft lighting to a tranquil, luxurious massage room where I received a 30-minute back massage. It was only later that I found out the spa stretches over 650 m² and has a state-of-the-art fitness area. However, I was more interested in my massage than working out – honestly, the story of my life.
There is also a fabulous rooftop pool and access to an indoor poor in the cooler months. A sauna, steam room, hot tub, and hammam is also available in the spa.
Service
From the moment I arrived, the staff were warm, attentive and genuinely welcoming. After the lovely lady at the front desk and I bonded over having the same bracelet, she walked me to my room and gave me the tour. I really appreciate the finer, nuanced details when it comes to service at luxury hotels. No stone was left unturned when it came to my comfort, and they seemed willing to accommodate my every request, which is always appreciated.
Value
Maison Albar – Le Victoria is a five-star premium luxury hotel close to the beach in the south of France, so naturally, the rate reflects that. The rooms are pristine, the food is of the highest quality, and the service is unparalleled. So, if you’re looking in that higher price bracket, I would say, look no further.
What an absolute treat it was to explore the streets of Nice again from a central location, to sit on my balcony and gaze out at the blues of the sea in the distance, and to gorge myself on socca again all these years later. Sometimes dreams really do come true.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Maison Albar – Le Victoria
Contact: +33 4 22 70 08 00
Address: 6 Av. de Suède, 06000 Nice, France
www.maison-albar-hotels-le-victoria.com
The author stayed for one night as a guest of Maison Albar – Le Victoria
