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The design at First Hotel is hardly cutting-edge, but it’s fresh, comfortable and tastefully decorated. Paintings by artist Corinne Haram in all of the bedrooms and public spaces creates unity. Rooms are comfortable with the feel of an apartment and come equipped with small kitchenettes. Big pluses include efficient, friendly staff who always seem happy to chat, and the hotel’s situation behind the Akershus fortress in the older part of the city centre. A summer-only pleasure is the roof terrace with outdoor Jacuzzi and views of ferries chugging out of the harbour towards Denmark.
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Just 200 metres from the sea, the HI Hotel opened in April 2003 and was an overnight success. The futuristic layout and decor by French designer Matali Crasset is a way-out experiment in the organisation of living space, with an emphasis on bright colours, graphic lines and the use of Plexiglas and resin. Many of the guestrooms have open bathrooms. The Happy Bat has a DJ at weekends and Cantine Bio serves organic food at modest prices. The wide range of room rates all include breakfast and wi-fi connection. Best of all there is a rooftop pool with view of the Alps and the Med.
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Totally refurbished by Parisian designer Jean-Michel Wilmotte, this four-star landmark hotel with its back to the sea stands next to the Opera House, Cours Saleya flower market and the old town of Nice. Once frequented by Matisse, Chekhov and Scott Fitzgerald, the rooms are now fitted out in grey, white and beige, with lots of hickory wood, stone, sliding desks and plasma TV screens. There are state-of-the-art meeting rooms, high-speed wi-fi and a very popular ground floor bar. Le Beau Rivage is one of a select handful of Nice hotels with its own private beach and restaurant (open from April to October).
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Re-opened in January 2004, this four-star deluxe establishment on the seafront provides state-of-the-art amenities behind a monumental art deco frontage dating back to 1929. The guestrooms show a refined, contemporary decor in tones of blue, ochre or saffron, with LCD TV screens and wireless internet. The Padouk restaurant has already won high ratings for its cusine and the Pingala Bar is a popular rendezvous for both guests and non-residents. Facilities include a heated indoor-outdoor pool, solarium, sauna, Turkish bath and gym. There are also seven high-tech meeting rooms for up to 1,500 guests. A luxurious casino occupies three floors of the hotel but has its own separate entrance.
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This four-star hotel has a spectacular view of the sea and is just five minutes from the airport and the city. Three styles of decor (chill, urban and ocean) set the mood in the bright guestrooms. The hotel offers excellent meeting facilities with 11 rooms, a business corner and wi-fi connection throughout. For relaxation, head to the superb rooftop pool and solarium or opt for dining at the Bleu Citron Restaurant (or La Terrasse in summer).
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