Here we are in Nice, the first stop on our round-the-world trip with Aeroplan miles. Here is our review of our stay at the Le Meridien Nice hotel.
As every time I go to Nice to visit family and friends, I choose a different hotel, which can be booked with points or, at least, for which one of my hotel statuses works in order to get some kind of advantage.
In the past, I have stayed at the JW Marriott Hotel in Cannes, the AC Hotel by Marriott Nice or the Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée (for which I had obtained a unique upgrade!).
For this stay, I chose to use starpoints from the Marriott Bonvoy program (SPG): 12,000 points per night or 48,000 starpoints for 5 nights instead of 60,000 (thanks to the Marriott Bonvoy program advantage of 4 nights purchased = 1 night offered).
The rate per night during my stay in Nice was $368 per night.
The use of points was therefore justified.
With the Marriott Bonvoy GOLD status, obtained thanks to my Platinum CardMD from American Express I got various advantages like:
No complimentary breakfasts with SPG Gold status (unlike Marriott Gold status).
Le Méridien de Nice hotel is located at the beginning of the Promenade des Anglais, near the city center, the old town of Nice… and of course the beach.
If this is your first time in Nice, it is an ideal location to discover the city on foot.
The entrance is from the side by means of escalators to the Lobby.
On the lobby level is also the restaurant / café / bar which is the place for breakfast.
In the lobby is also the “office” corner.The elevators are numerous and fast. If you are with a stroller or a lot of luggage, a special elevator will allow you to reach the street level directly (and thus avoid escalators).Our room was on the 7th floor of the hotel’s 9 floors.This is a special floor reserved for Marriott Bonvoy members and families.The room of the hotel Le Méridien NiceOur room is an executive room with a partial sea view.
We had requested a baby bed, but to our surprise an extra adult size bed was prepared in the room next to our King bed… which made the room particularly cramped.After a call to room service, the change will be made for a baby bed: the room becomes comfortable again.It is equipped with a large closet with bathrobes.As well as a luggage area / mini bar. Unfortunately, no coffee machine, which is a negative in my opinion.However, vouchers are available for free coffee at the hotel bar. This does not replace the Nespresso machine found in hotels in this range.A welcome note reminding the guests of the SPG Gold benefits as well as chocolates and many free bottles of water throughout the room.
Several views from the terrace of the room and its “partial” sea view.
As in many hotels in Europe, the bathroom contains…a bidet.As well as a bathtub-shower.And a separate toilet.
The gym is located on the top floor.It is not open 24 hours a day, which is a disadvantage. Moreover, to access it, you have to go through the beauty institute whose rates are as follows:The machines are not “state of the art” but sufficient.
One of the big highlights of Le Meridien de Nice is its rooftop terrace and pool with a breathtaking view of the Baie des Anges.
This is the pool:
I must say that I have a mixed opinion about this hotel. Certainly, its location is exceptional and at 12,000 starpoints per night it represents a good value for Nice.
However, his age is making itself felt. One thing that particularly bothered us was the inability to adjust the temperature of the room. After asking at the reception, this is what was answered:
The hotel is quite old. In winter, we only offer heating. In summer only air conditioning. Sorry.
In short, we had to open the windows, the heat in the room being at least 26-27 degrees in this late December…
But on the other hand, the Marriott Gold benefits were well recognized: we got an upgrade from the base room, as well as the early arrival and late departure we needed.
This is an option to consider if you are going to Nice!
On the other hand, the AC Hotel by Marriott Nice – which we visited here – represents better value than Le Meridien (although its location is a bit more “off-center”), being listed at 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (or 11,667 starpoints).
Savings are here:
