ELYSÉE PALACE IN NICE

I got a taxi to the hotel from the airport, and it set me back 38 Euros for a trip that could have lasted, maximum 8 minutes. This is not the hotel fault, but it would help if a transfer was organised. It's only a few meters away from the Legendary Negresco, on the side of the Boulevard des Anglais, within a short walk to the main centre part of the city. I guess you can use the bus from the airport too, route 98, if you know where to get off.

Checking in was ok. No problem at all. It is a Four Points by Sheraton. The hotel looks ok, and the interior seems to have been renovated lately.

Internet was free of charge but needed a password that I could barely read from the front desk guy's handwriting.

I got room 704, on the top floor. It was supposed to be a room with beach view... but it was only sideways.

The room had been renovated lately. A bit plasticky, specially for the chair, the bedside tables and lamps. It tried to be stylish... but I suppose it is not mine. The closet didn't have doors. Instead, it had curtains. There was a clear excess of curtains in the room.

Room was quiet, and the bed comfortable, which at the end of the day, it is what you need.

The bathroom had a bath, and plenty of toiletries.

Breakfast was on the ground floor, and had some fruit, cold meats, scrambled eggs, hot meats, and pastry. Coffee was "industrial" American coffee... and basically, the choice was so, so.

Checking out was also good.

The hotel is good, a bit plasticky all around, but for Nice, it is good value for money.

HÔTEL ELYSEE PALACE
59 promenade des anglais /Entrée Rue Honoré SAUVAN
06000 NICE -
Téléphone : + 33 (0)4 93 97 90 90
Fax : +33 (0)4 93 44 50 40
e-mail : reservation@elyseepalace.com

PREMIERE CLASSE, CHEAP FRANCE, BUT... WHY MORE?

The Premiére Classe network is very extended in France. They are extremely basic hotels for up to 3 people, (double bed + 1 bunk bed) and a basic buffet for 4.50 Euro, as an extra if you want it. More basic, it can't be. They are normally hotels out of the centre, in industrial estates or shopping areas, but always within easy reach from the motorways. And they are all the same, so, no surprises... well, sometimes there are little ones. It seems it is a structure they can take anywhere... so you are not fooled by the pictures. That's that. They are ideal if you are travelling around and you want to avoid getting in the city centre... As you can see from the picture, where can you sleep for 43 Euro? Not many places... If you book it in advance, you may even get it cheaper... Sometimes, there will be no receptionist... so... you go the the check in machine,... and you check yourself in...

Please note that rooms have their one TINY sink, toilet and shower, soap is provided, TV (mainly French channels and if you are lucky, you can get some international channels, but that must be when you have been extraordinarily good boy)... some have air-conditioning and normally, WI-FI is free of charge in the rooms. Also, free car parking. However, don't expect a lift... there isn't one, so if you are sleeping on the second floor... just think that you will have to do some exercise to go to bed...

Not many frills... but at the end of the day, it has a comfortable bed, it's clean... and you only go there... to sleep after all.

PREMIERE CLASS HOTELS.

Check the one near you...