Hotel Negresco

The Negresco Hotel first opened its doors on January 8th, 1913. The hotel, designed by Henri Negrescu, immediately attracted a brilliant international clientele, Kings of the old and the new world: the Vanderbilts, Portugal’s Queen Amélie, the Grand Dukes Vladimir and Dimitri… Since then, numerous people have signed the guest book: the artist Dali, Princess Grace of Monaco, the Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Elton John, many celebrities have enjoyed a stay on the French Riviera to live a little of the ‘Negresco myth’. Jeanne Augier is the guardian of this myth. Owner of the Palace since 1957, this great lady – with deeply-rooted convictions – has devoted her life to the preservation and the development of this unique heritage.

The hotel itself is restricted to the non-guests but you can secretly sneak glances at this amazing piece of architecture and art by having a drink in the cosmopolitan and “a very French Riviera” hotel bar – Le Relais. The design of the bar with its authentic walnut woodwork from 1913 and tapestry from 1683 will certainly bring you back in time and you will not forget it, even if you go for one drink.

The head barman and his team let their imagination run free to invent a seasonal ‘cocktail of the month’ that is always simply quintessential. Mind you, the cocktails are not cheap, 15 – 20 EUR, but the experience is well worth it. Do not forget to check the bizarrely decorated ladies room or for the men the Napoleon tent men’s room and slowly wander back through magnificent ballroom.

Hotel Negresco

37 Promenade des Anglais, Nice 06000, Tel: 04 93 16 64 12

Opened 11.30 – 1.00am (midnight in winter)