When spring struggles to settle in Paris, you might as well go find it where it is: on the French Riviera. Finally he failed me there too but I took the opportunity to test the Meridien Nice.
Le Méridien Nice has an ideal location
From the airport the cab drops me at the hotel. A better location is hardly possible: at the beginning of the Promenade des Anglais, overlooking the sea and within walking distance of the old town of Nice. For this reason alone, it is an address to consider when you go there.
On the other hand, we can’t say that its architecture from a time when people were less careful than today about the coherence between new constructions and the existing heritage is very pleasant. If the Promenade des Anglais enhances it, I am not sure that the reciprocal is true.
The check-in is done in the lobby located on the second floor, at the following desk.
The lobby is neither pleasant nor unpleasant but definitely reminiscent of the time it was designed.
The procedure is more than fast: expedited. A hello, a signature, I was handed a key and that was it. It’s a good thing I saw in the application that I had been upgraded because I wasn’t even told. Not only is this part of the imposed protocol, but when you give a gift to a customer you should never lose an opportunity to let them know that you cared about him. Speaking of protocol, there was no recognition of the status of the loyalty program nor any thanks for loyalty (again, a necessary part of the protocol).
Anyway, I’m going to take possession of my room: a deluxe one which has been transformed into a deluxe one with sea view. Not much, but when you know that some have a limited view on the back or even on a sinister interior courtyard, you can only say thank you. No gain in square footage but a great view.
Deluxe Sea View at Le Méridien Nice
The room could not be more classic and the furniture is dated.
Without being very large it does not make you feel suffocated either, but the bay window contributes to give a feeling of space.
The bathroom is also dated.
And this is what saves everything: the view.
One will say that at this price and for this range of hotel the room makes the bare minimum (it would be necessary to foresee a renovation…we are in Nice anyway and the requirement level in this kind of hotel is high) but that the location and the view justify everything. Or almost.
Video visit to confirm.
A fantastic roof top but a little disappointing
After spending the afternoon walking around the city, it’s time to go back to the hotel and think about the aperitif and the dinner.
Le Méridien Nice offers a roof-top bar that is worth the trip alone.
The view is superb.
The bar is located next to the hotel’s pool.
The weather was unfortunately not yet good at the end of April, but the little aperitif break was very pleasant. A special mention for the very friendly staff and the fast service while the terrace was full.
At the end of the said terrace one of the two restaurants of the hotel, the more posh one, of which I was told the most positive things and whose menu seems to me very appetizing.
And what a disappointment it was to learn that the restaurant was only open for lunch and not for dinner service. Was it too early in the season? The hotel’s signage and website suggest that this is the case year-round. And the restaurant being enclosed I don’t really see what would prevent you from enjoying the view even in the bad season.
As 8pm is approaching I am asked if I want a last drink as the bar also closes at 8pm. For a place that has all the potential to attract people and operate until late I am also very surprised.
I leave the place to go to dinner in town and have the confirmation by this sign.
In addition to the restrictions concerning the bar and the restaurant, you should know that if the weather is good, there is no need to think about taking a dip in the pool when you wake up (it only opens at 10:00 am) or when you come back from a walk (it closes at 18:00).
There must surely be a reason for all this that I missed (although I understand that they don’t want the swimmer in a bathing suit to cross paths with the tourist who has come to have his glass of champagne at the aperitif…) but this kills the customer experience a little and results in an obvious under-utilization of a place with very high potential.
Fitness and spa… Thanks but…no thanks.
I will return to the hotel after dinner and there was nothing special to report other than the fact that I drew the astonishment of a group of tourists by paying for a bottle of water at the vending machine in the lobby with my Apple Watch using Apple Pay. This will be the highlight of my weekend at Le Meridien Nice in terms of experience.
Early wake up the next morning. Let’s go to the gym. The display indicates that it is accessible via the “health club”, in other words the spa. And when I arrive in front of the Spa…
So no rooftop in the evening, no pool before 10am and no Spa, sports and treatments on Sunday. Can you remind me of the lifestyle of the guests of a 4 star hotel on the Promenade des Anglais?
Byy searching a little I find an access to the gym poorly indicated which is done independently of the Spa by using the key of his room. Better than nothing.
And then…
2 cardio machines, 2 outdated weight machines, a carpet lost in a corner for floor exercises all in a space smaller than my room with a view on a gloomy courtyard. We were two guests and we we already packed. A third arrived and left just as quickly.
The time to go back to work in my room, I leave the hotel at noon (ah yes because the late check-out had been refused to me) and headed for the airport.
At Le Méridien Nice you pay for the location
Conclusion: as it stands, the Meridien Nice is not a hotel that I would recommend. I will not even mention the room that would need a makeover but it is in fact the whole property that is no longer up to the level in terms of freshness (I can’t imagine what the Spa must look like after having seen the gym) and service (opening hours of bars, restaurant, spa, desk staff…). At more than 200 euros a night, even in Nice which is not a budget city, I expect more from a hotel. Except for the view, the most mid-range of AccorHotels hotels does better.
I would have been better off spending 2 nights at the Novotel Orly, the experience was incomparably superior.
Ratings:
The hotel: maximum score for the location, and three times nothing for the property itself. 6.
Check-in & out:rushed, not very friendly, no respect for the protocol. 5
Room: not too big, old but I will be nice because of the view. 7
Restaurant and bar: they gain points on the sight and the potential of the roof top, guests salivate in front of the menu of the restaurant, and they don’t take advantage of it because of the opening/closing hours.
Facilities: a nice heated pool not usable before 10am or after 6pm, a spa closed on Sundays and the worst gym seen in a hotel in recent years. I give it 3 because the pool is nice from the outside.
Service and attention: very good bar staff, for the rest it is not at the level of a 4 stars. 5
Application of the loyalty program: a small upgrade (but I believe the hotel was full), protocol not respected, no late check-out. 6
Experience for money: in fact the only thing really notable and memorable is something for which the hotel is not responsible: the view. 5 and I am kind.
If you want to make the most of what Le Méridien Nice has to offer: go to another hotel and enjoy its rooftop for a drink.
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