historic tranquility in old town nice | hôtel du couvent

Every town along the French Riviera has its story to tell. Perched on a hill in Nice’s old town, Hôtel du Couvent is a tranquil treasure trove of history, art and natural beauty. Newly opened in June 2024, the serene and expansive hotel is incredibly central yet quaint, quiet and tucked away from the bustle of its surrounding streets. Cars cannot reach the steep road that leads to the property, so be prepared to stroll for a few minutes or call the hotel 10 minutes before arrival to be transported to its entrance via buggy.

At check-in expect to be welcomed by a freshly baked madeleine (and a sugar-glazed lemon filled madeleine on checkout.) You’ll be greeted by the hotel’s helpful staff dressed in Sandro trousers, a blue French work wear coat and Birkenstocks. The women wear a modern burgundy take on nun wear made from dyed bed sheets as homage to the hotel’s past life as a convent. Opened in the 1600s, the last nun left in the 70s. Aside from some new buildings lined with sage shutters for ventilation in the Mediterranean heat, much of the convent’s original foundations have been preserved. The lives of the nuns who used to live there have informed several design choices like the gardens where they would pray and grow food. Today, it helps supply each of the hotel’s restaurants and was designed to look like a traditional English garden by the same mind behind the gardens at Buckingham Palace.

Hôtel du Couvent rejects modernity and embraces design native to the region including Italian interior features, an on-site herbalist and a boulangerie which provides fresh loaves for guests and sells to the public. Quality is at the heart of every detail which shines most in their dining options. Whether you’re a hotel guest or not, it is worth visiting La Ginguette for lunch, Le Bistro des Serruriers on the outside of the hotel, or Le Restaurant for dinner. They are beautiful and feature a truly delicious menu that is simple, fresh and well-seasoned (the macaroni crayfish dish at Le Restaurant is a mouthwatering must!) As Nice was once part of Italy, there is a clear Italian influence on the menu including classics like fried zucchini flowers and gnocchi.

Art and history is the statement feature of this hotel. There is a library of art and culture books open to all guests and local students. The halls of the hotel feature works by Picasso, Matisse and Cezanne, and in the oldest part of the hotel, there is a centuries old statue of Mary Magdalene. The hotel’s rooms and suites are are cosy yet spacious and utilise natural elements like stone floors, lime wash walls, Carrera marble sinks and desks made from wood repurposed from old boats. Le Chapitre is the hotel’s most grand suite. It was where the nuns of the convent would gather to talk. It is huge and features a tub and a mini stone statue inside the shower.

To truly unplug, the hotel’s Roman baths are a highlight. They rest at 28 – 30c and feature a circular skylight so rainfall theatrically showers into the pool. There are various rooms that go from hot to cold and the simple stone architecture is minimalist and impactful. An equally impressive feature is the hotel’s 20m heated pool. At one of the highest parts of the property, it overlooks the old town of Nice so you can swim and admire the beauty of the city all the way to the sea. There is also a mini circular pool with seating that doubles as a small open air cinema.

All amenities are included with your hotel stay but if you happen to be in Nice and book a massage or facial you can get access to the baths too. And after lounging in the sun, the pool or the saunas, the hotel’s movement studio is a calming spot to practice yoga or pilates. There is plenty of life outside the hotel’s stone walls as it’s a short walk from the sparkling waves of the sea and there are plenty of Niçoise restaurants serving local delicacies like socca, a delicious chickpea flatbread. As you’d expect, the area is touristy so be sure to venture around, that’s if you even make it outside of the hotel grounds during your stay. There is so much peace to explore that it is hard to stay away for too long.