Hôtel du Couvent

"A decade in the making, a centuries-old convent—abandoned for years—has been given a new lease on life as a hotel in the heights of Old Nice. Even many Niçois were not aware of the enormous garden that abuts the hilltop citadel. Summit the Old Town’s cobbled staircases (or ask the hotel to pick you up in a golf cart) and you’ll arrive at a discreet entrance that gives way to a courtyard planted with orange trees and terraced gardens. In many ways, the Hôtel du Couvent—the result of a 93-million-euro investment—is a symbol of Nice’s renaissance as a tourist destination. The city under Mayor Christian Estrosi has sought to invest in the hospitality sector, bringing vitality to the city that’s considered the gateway to the Riviera. The project is from French hotelier Valéry Grégo. A team of architects and designers plunged into the historical archives, and visited other monasteries, to create an aesthetic that’s respectful of the site’s heritage. The feel is minimalist to echo the place’s monastic origins. Every piece of furniture was chosen with care, such as the desks custom-made from old timber ship masts, and the antiques sourced from across Europe. The 88 guest rooms, spread across four buildings, are styled in earth tones. Standouts include the two-bedroom Marguerite Suite—its garden even comes with a barbecue grill—and room P25 (in the Pertus building) with a balcony overlooking the garden. Note: Rooms don’t have TVs." - Mary Winston Nicklin

"This year in Nice we’re opening Hôtel du Couvent, which is in an old convent." - Jennifer Flowers

"A 17th-century convent transformed into a luxury hotel with vaulted ceilings, antique furnishings, Roman baths, and a public market in the courtyard." - Jennifer Flowers

"The Perseus group—the same company behind Le Pigalle in Paris—is busy restoring a 17th-century convent in Nice and transforming it into a luxury hotel. Opening this summer, it will offer Roman baths, a tranquil lap pool, an herbalist shop, and a quintessential French café." - Elise Taylor