Hotel Review: Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée
Nice is a stunning destination on the French Riviera, famous for its pebbled beaches, Mediterranean climate, and rich cultural heritage. With strong Greek and Italian influences, the city has become a vibrant culinary and artistic hub in Southern France. As a result, Nice draws both locals and tourists year-round, making Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport the second busiest in France, after Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. Luxury hotels and resorts line the coastline, but few have the legacy of the Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, which has been a landmark of the city’s hospitality scene since 1929. Nearly a century later, how does this iconic hotel hold up in 2024? Here is my review of Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée:
Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée is located at 13 Prom. des Anglais, 06000 Nice, France.
Location
The Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée is located on the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. It is situated in the heart of the French Riviera, providing easy access to the city's vibrant cultural and historical landmarks. Nearby attractions include the iconic Old Town (Vieux Nice), with its narrow streets and charming markets, and the beautiful Colline du Château, which offers panoramic views of the city and coastline. Additionally, guests can easily visit the Marc Chagall National Museum and the Matisse Museum, both showcasing the works of these renowned artists. The hotel is also close to the bustling Place Masséna and the opulent Negresco Hotel, both key highlights of Nice.
Lobby & Check-In Review
Pulling up to the hotel, it’s impossible to miss its grand facade. In fact, two of the facades have been officially recognized as historical monuments. Stepping into the lobby, I could immediately sense the hotel’s long history through its somewhat dated interiors. The dark gray marble flooring and brown wooden wall accents were well-maintained, but they definitely gave off an “old money” vibe.
The lobby embodied the hotel's history and catered to a mature demographic.
Fortunately, fresh flower arrangements added some much-needed color and liveliness to the space, and several glass display cases showcased luxury handbags and jewelry, all available for purchase at local boutiques.
The fresh flowers brightened up the otherwise dull lobby.
One unique touch was the electric scooters and bikes available for guests to rent — a fun and practical way to explore the coastline.
Electric scooters and bikes are great ways to explore Nice, especially when riding along the Promenade des Anglais.
There was also plenty of seating throughout the lobby, perfect for guests waiting to check in or just relaxing. In the corner, we found a complimentary coffee station, stocked with a Nespresso machine for quick espresso shots and a filtered water fountain. This became a regular stop for us during our stay whenever we needed an afternoon caffeine boost.
The complimentary espresso in the lobby was a nice touch, giving me a morning boost before heading out.
Check-in itself was smooth, thanks to multiple desks and efficient service. The receptionist acknowledged my Hyatt Globalist status and gave a brief rundown of the hotel’s amenities, including breakfast hours and pool access. Despite high occupancy, the hotel was still able to upgrade us to a room with a partial sea view, which was a very welcome surprise. After receiving the card keys, we headed to the upgraded room on the fifth floor.
Bedroom Review
Stepping into the bedroom, my expectations matched the reality; the room clearly reflected the age of the hotel. The carpeted floors and worn wood furniture and trim told the story of the property’s long history.
The carpeted bedroom, with its predominant wooden décor, reflected the hotel's age.
Our upgraded room featured a king-size bed, which was comfortable enough but felt noticeably springy, not quite the plush luxury you’d expect at a modern five-star hotel. The oversized headboard incorporated both built-in lighting and reading lights, which was convenient. On the bedside, there were outlets and USB ports for charging, and I appreciated the thoughtful touch of providing an electric outlet converter for international guests.
It was nice to see a complimentary outlet converter provided for international travelers.
Across from the bed was a decently sized wooden desk, though much of the surface was occupied by a Nespresso machine and minibar items.
Complimentary Nespresso pods were refilled every night, but we ended up using the ones in the lobby anyway as we left the hotel.
Above the desk, a wall-mounted flatscreen TV was present, but it felt too small for the size of the room and wasn’t ideal for comfortable viewing from the bed.
Considering the size of the room, both the placement and size of the TV were underwhelming.
The mini-fridge was located over by the closet instead, and since it was empty, we used it to store the complimentary bottled water.
Despite being an automatic minibar, the fridge had been emptied of its contents.
The remaining space was taken up by a pair of lounge chairs and a small side table, which held a generous welcome amenity.
A bottle of Provençal rosé was a refreshing treat on a hot summer day, while the Socca chips offered a taste of the Côte d'Azur's culinary heritage.
Alongside a handwritten note from hotel management, we were welcomed with a chilled bottle of rosé and a bag of Socca chips, a beloved local snack made from chickpea flour. The rosé was perfect for an early summer afternoon, and we enjoyed it out on the balcony.
The automatic balcony shutter completely blocked out sunlight, even during the day.
The balcony itself featured a small table and two outdoor chairs, with frosted glass panels separating neighboring balconies.
Due to the hotel's design, privacy from neighbors was limited, but we did have a direct view of the sea.
From there, we could look straight out at the Mediterranean Sea and down over the hotel pool. However, because of the hotel’s U-shaped design, privacy was limited when sitting outside. Nonetheless, I appreciated having direct access to fresh air and the sea breeze. When we were inside, the balcony’s automatic shutter completely blocked out the light, ensuring full privacy and darkness when needed.
Without the columns, the view of the Mediterranean Sea would have been even more magnificent.
Overall, the bedroom felt dated, especially compared to newer hotels in the area. The muted decor was very much in line with the Hyatt Regency aesthetic, but not necessarily in a flattering way. That said, the balcony was a real highlight, and being able to step outside and take in the fresh air made me feel more connected to Nice.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom immediately reminded me of the Copenhagen Marriott Hotel in Denmark, with its compact layout and outdated design. It featured a single sink vanity, but the design felt stuck in the past.
The bathroom’s dated design immediately reminded me of the Copenhagen Marriott Hotel in Denmark.
The brown granite countertop and wood-framed mirror aged the space even further, and despite having multiple light fixtures, the bathroom still felt dim. The walk-in shower was very small, though it did offer a rainfall showerhead. It also had a curved glass door, which was an interesting design choice I hadn’t seen before.
The curved shower door was a smart space-saving design, but the shower booth still felt undeniably compact.
Toiletries were by Pharmacopia, and while the sizes were generous, I couldn’t help but wish the hotel had opted for a local French brand to better reflect the location and culture.
L'Occitane toiletries would have better reflected the region's Provençal heritage.
Despite the limited space, the bathroom also managed to fit a built-in bathtub, although it was quite small — just enough for me to squeeze in. Honestly, I think the space would have been better used to create a larger, more comfortable walk-in shower when the hotel eventually renovates. On the bright side, the toilet was tucked into a separate water closet, which added some much-needed privacy.
The water closet offered much-needed privacy, though, realistically, there was no way the toilet could have fit in the main bathroom.
Overall, while functional, the bathroom is long overdue for an upgrade. Between the cramped layout, dated design, and aging fixtures, it simply doesn’t compare to the bathrooms you’d find in more modern luxury hotels. While essentials like a hairdryer and heated towel rack were provided, even those felt like they belonged to a different era, which inevitably impacted the sense of comfort and convenience during our stay.
Gym Review
The gym was located on the third floor, right next to the swimming pool, and was open 24/7. As expected given the hotel’s age, the gym was fairly basic, both in terms of equipment selection and overall space. From the look of it, the remaining towel hooks and wooden benches suggested this space was once a locker room that had been repurposed into a gym. While I fully support reimagining underused spaces, the conversion felt rushed, and the hotel could have put more thought into the design and functionality. That said, the treadmills and stationary bikes were newer TechnoGym models, which was a pleasant surprise.
Based on the gym's layout, it likely once served as a locker room for the swimming pool.
There were also two adjustable benches paired with a standard dumbbell set, although the heaviest weight topped out at 16kg (35 lbs) — probably too light for many male guests. For strength training, the gym offered a basic all-in-one machine, which fortunately came with all the necessary attachments to allow for a reasonably diverse workout.
The gym was surprisingly small for a Hyatt Regency, a brand that typically caters to convention-sized crowds.
I appreciated that the gym was available for guests who wanted to lift weights or get in a quick workout. However, if cardio is your focus, I’d highly recommend skipping the gym altogether and simply running or walking along the Promenade des Anglais. It is a much more scenic and enjoyable option.
Pool & Sauna Review
The swimming pool was also located on the third floor and open daily from 6:30 AM to 9 PM. It featured both indoor and outdoor sections, and you could swim directly between them. Since the water wasn’t heated, it was definitely on the cooler side, but during the warm June days, the temperature actually felt refreshing. The indoor pool was decorated with Roman-style columns, tying into the hotel’s historic facade. Nevertheless, the low ceiling made the space feel a bit claustrophobic, which contrasted with the grandeur suggested by the hotel’s exterior.
The low ceilings in the indoor swimming pool area made the space feel cramped.
The outdoor pool, shaped like a quarter moon, was much more pleasant, offering the chance to soak up the sun while swimming.
The outdoor swimming pool was far more enjoyable, and guests could swim between the indoor and outdoor areas.
However, the outdoor pool was smaller than the indoor section, which meant the pool deck was cramped and only had a limited number of sunbeds, all available on a first-come, first-served basis. We managed to secure sunbeds during our visit, but by late afternoon, the area was completely full.
With a limited number of sunbeds, finding an available one during peak hours could be challenging.
After our swim, we headed to the sauna on the sixth floor, open from 10 AM to 10 PM. Having to take an elevator up two floors to reach the sauna felt inconvenient, especially since the gym and pool were both on the third floor. To make matters worse, the sauna was tucked away at the very end of a hallway, making it feel a bit forgotten. Inside the sauna area, the layout felt awkward. There was just one shared changing space with no proper lockers, meaning we had to leave our belongings out in the open.
I found it quite odd that there was no private changing room for the sauna.
Whenever we changed into swimsuits, we even had to take turns watching the door to make sure no one unexpectedly walked in. The sauna itself was a functional dry sauna that worked well, but the entire setup made it clear that the sauna wasn’t part of the hotel’s original design and felt like an afterthought.
Finding the sauna was tricky due to vague instructions, but the upside was that it was always empty when we used it.
Much like the rest of the hotel, both the pool and sauna showed their age and would benefit greatly from a major renovation. That said, despite the inconvenience, I kind of enjoyed the fact that the sauna felt so private. My wife and I had it completely to ourselves, which gave it a cozy, exclusive feel we weren’t expecting.
Breakfast Review—Le 3e Restaurant
Breakfast was served at Le 3e Restaurant on the third floor, available daily from 7 AM to 10 AM. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, and on weekends, it offers a special brunch from late morning into the early afternoon.
The breakfast buffet at Le 3e Restaurant was available in both indoor and outdoor spaces, with the latter being the preferred choice among guests.
Since we were still adjusting to the European timezone, we woke up early and arrived right at 7 AM when breakfast service began. Thanks to my Hyatt Globalist status, breakfast was complimentary, and we were lucky enough to secure a table on the terrace, overlooking the stunning Baie des Anges.
We secured an outdoor table overlooking the sea, and the rest quickly filled up.
With only a handful of prime terrace tables, I’d recommend arriving early if you want one. If you prefer to sleep in, there are plenty of indoor tables as well as additional seating on the lower deck.
There were plenty of tables inside the restaurant, offering a more convenient option without the need to walk up and down from the outdoor terrace.
All of the food was served indoors at the buffet, so I started with the classic breakfast staples like bacon, sausage, and eggs. For carbs, the spread included pancakes, crepes, waffles, and an assortment of savory breads.
The eggs in the shakshuka were slightly overcooked, but the sauce had great flavor.
One pleasant surprise: instead of regular bacon, the hotel served pork belly, which was incredibly flavorful, with beautifully caramelized fat.
The pork belly was tender, with its fat lightly caramelized, delivering a burst of umami.
Rather than my usual scrambled eggs, I ordered a vegetable and cheese omelet, freshly made to order at the live cooking station.
The made-to-order omelet may not look appealing in photos, but it tasted quite good.
While waiting for my omelet, I checked out the charcuterie section, which offered an impressive selection of meats and cheeses, all looking (and tasting) fresh and high-quality.
The charcuterie selection was the highlight, showcasing incredible freshness.
Two unexpected highlights were the potato salad, which was much lighter than its American counterpart, and the quinoa salad, which was bright and citrusy — a refreshing addition to the buffet.
I loved the refreshing quinoa salad with its bright citrous flavor profile.
The vegetables were also exceptionally fresh — the radishes were particularly crunchy with just the right touch of spice, and they were so good I didn’t even need any dressing.
The vegetables were supremely fresh, bringing out their natural flavors in the best way possible.
Since we were in France, my favorite part of breakfast was, of course, the pastry section. Alongside the classics like croissants, pain au chocolat, and pain aux raisins, there were apple tarts, Bavarian cream donuts, egg tarts, and more.
In addition to the classic French baked goods, my favorite was the Bavarian cream donut with its light vanilla cream filling.
Everything was delicious, but I kept gravitating back to the cream-filled donuts, which were light, airy, and irresistibly good.
The pâtisserie selection was impressive, and my wife especially enjoyed the egg tarts.
For a lighter finish, there was a selection of whole fruits, which made for great afternoon snacks later on, but for breakfast, I opted for the fruit salad out of convenience.
The fruit salad made a perfect addition to a morning bowl of yogurt, adding a daily dose of vitamins.
Overall, breakfast at Le 3e Restaurant exceeded the typical Hyatt Regency standard, especially with its excellent pastry selection and creative salads, which added a nice local touch. If I had one small suggestion, I would have loved to see a few more dishes reflecting the flavors of Nice and the South of France. That said, I would happily return for breakfast at Le 3e anytime.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The location of Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée couldn’t have been better for everything we wanted to do during our trip. It’s centrally located, making it easy to visit local attractions like Old Town and Villa Masséna Musée, just to name a few.
Breakfast at Le 3e Restaurant was also a highlight. While the buffet didn’t showcase many local specialties, the kitchen offered freshly baked pastries and crisp, flavorful vegetables that elevated the experience. I highly recommend arriving early in the morning to secure a table on the outdoor terrace, where you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean.
Another unexpected plus was the practical amenities the hotel provided. The complimentary coffee and tea station in the lobby was a small but thoughtful touch that my wife and I used daily, whether we were heading out for the day or returning in the afternoon. I also appreciated the option to rent bikes and electric scooters directly from the hotel. It was a surprising modern convenience given the hotel’s historic character.
Negatives
The biggest drawback of Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée is its outdated design and visible signs of age. This was most obvious in the guest rooms, but it extended to the sauna, swimming pool, and gym as well. Hopefully, a comprehensive renovation is in the hotel’s near future, as an update could really elevate the guest experience and bring this historic property back to its full potential.
Summary
The Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée offered a blend of historic charm and practical convenience, but its age showed in more ways than one. The grand facade and historic interiors carried a distinct “old money” charm, while fresh flower arrangements and luxury boutique displays added some elegance and vibrancy to the lobby. Despite its dated decor, the hotel provided thoughtful touches like complimentary coffee in the lobby and rentable scooters, both of which enhanced the overall guest experience. That said, the rooms and facilities could definitely benefit from a modern refresh, as signs of wear and tear were especially noticeable in the gym, pool, and bathrooms. On the bright side, breakfast at Le 3e Restaurant was a standout moment, thanks to freshly baked pastries and a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. It was a setting that felt undeniably special. If staying at a modern, design-forward property isn’t a top priority, I’d still consider returning to the Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, especially for its prime location and historical charm.
