Being from Nice, I have a good knowledge of the big hotels of the French Riviera. However, I had never needed to stay there… until I moved to Canada. So I chose the AC Hotel by Marriott Nice!
So, I take advantage of each of my family/friend visits to try a new hotel. At Christmas, it was the Hyatt Regency Palais de la Méditerranée that exceeded all my expectations. Then it was the turn of the JW Marriott Cannes. Now let’s take a look at theAC Hotel by Marriott Nice.
I booked this hotel a few weeks before our arrival. As for Cannes, the price of hotels in the middle of July is exorbitant, especially since the Euro-Dollar exchange rate is really unfavorable for Canadians! So this is also a perfect opportunity to use points!
AC Hotel by Marriott Nice is rated 7 by Marriott Bonvoy. A night costs 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (or 11,667 SPG starpoints).
The cheapest public rate per night was 360 euros or 522$CAD! We estimate the value of Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cent. Here, the return would be 1.5 cents, which is an excellent value!
However, we made it even better by booking 5 nights there! In fact, at Marriott Bonvoy, for every 4 nights purchased with your points, you get the 5th one free.
Thus, the 5-night stay will have cost 140,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (or 28,000 points per night) or 46,667 SPG starpoints (or 9,333 starpoints per night) instead of 1,800 euros (or $2,600 CAD). Our Marriott Bonvoy points here are worth 1.86 cents, which is more than double our valuation!
Being a Gold member of Marriott Bonvoy (obtained through my Gold status at Marriott Bonvoy, itself obtained through American Express Platinum Card® or the SME Platinum card from American Express), this status is half recognized by the AC Hotel by Marriott Nice since we were entitled:
Always check the hotel or loyalty program website to see what benefits are included with your status. Sometimes the hotel can be accommodating by recognizing your status on a case-by-case basis, as in this case with the discounted breakfasts.
The hotel’s address is on the Promenade des Anglais. However, this one is located at about twenty meters from it with a main entrance in a small street. The district is entirely under construction with the Tramway line 2 which will eventually link the Port to Nice Airport through the city center. A resort will be very close to the hotel making it a prime destination starting in 2018-2019!
With the construction work, it is difficult to park, but the hotel has an underground parking (20 euros per night).
However, the work did not bother us (no noise in the rooms or on the terrace of the hotel).
The lobby is very sober, with a beautiful tinted bay window. Numerous seating areas allow for isolation in small groups. Also shelves contain games and various books.
A restaurant area overlooks the back of the hotel with a small garden.
No sea view from our room. However, my request for a room with a bathtub was granted by the reception (easier with a 2 month old baby).
To our surprise, the crib is already installed which is GREATLY appreciated. Indeed, many hotels wait for their guests to arrive to set up the bed. However, this can take up to 30 minutes(as was the case at the JW Marriott Essex House New York), which is unpleasant when the baby wants to sleep!
The room is functional. It’s not huge, but the king bed is comfortable and we’ll only be there to sleep after enjoying the Azure sun.
The bench is convenient to put our two big suitcases.
There is a small desk with a minibar (empty) that serves as a refrigerator. Also a coffee maker is available.
The closet contains a chest, an iron… but no ironing board.
A small detail: a summary of the things to know about the hotel. So there’s no need to dig through the drawers to find the guide listing the services. Simple. Efficient.
The bathroom is functional with a bidet, as is often the case in Mediterranean countries.
However, the hair dryer is not very efficient! A small table under the sink contains AC Hotels’ toiletries.
To relax, go to the top floor with the pool on the roof and a beautiful terrace.
There is a bar-restaurant area, which is very popular from 6pm until sunset.
Here is a view of the Mediterranean Sea and the Promenade des Anglais in the afternoon.
The pool allows you to do some laps and was at a good temperature. Showers are available in the center of the terrace.
It’s worth coming for a drink on the terrace after 5pm, the light is magnificent!
A buffet breakfast is offered at the lobby level. It is possible to sit in two different rooms.
Two professional Nespresso machines serve hot drinks.
A buffet of savory products:
A buffet of sweet products:
The gym is rather small, but not very crowded and with good quality equipment. It is located in the basement of the hotel next to the parking lot.
The AC Hotel by Marriott Nice is a solid choice if you’re traveling to Nice with your points. It is also a hotel chosen by many airlines to accommodate their crews. It is close to the Promenade des Anglais and the beaches. And about 15 minutes walk (via the Promenade) from downtown. With the upcoming tramway, it will be accessible directly from the Airport and will be 1-2 stations from downtown.
Here are the different credit cards that earn Marriott Bonvoy points and Marriott Gold status.
Savings are here (if you don’t see the sign-up form, please click here):
