Anantara Plaza Nice: Your Dream French Riviera Escape Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Anantara Plaza Nice – and let me tell you, that's a plunge I’m READY for. Forget the perfectly manicured travel blogs, this is real talk, warts and all (hopefully not literally). This review is gonna be long, because, well, there's a LOT to unpack. Think less "flawless five-star stay" and more "OMG, I almost lost my Chanel bag in the pool (but loved every second)."
First Impressions: The Curb Appeal Game
Before we even breathe the hotel's air, let's talk accessibility. Look, I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I know it's bloody important. Anantara, from the reviews, seems to be ticking the right boxes. Wheelchair accessible is a huge plus, thank goodness. Elevator? Check. And the promise of facilities for disabled guests is a start. I’m hoping they actually follow through with it. Let's hope they're not like those other places that say "wheelchair accessible" and then put you in a room you can barely turn around in.
Accessibility Rating: 4/5 Stars (Waiting on a Personal Inspection!)
Checking In: Champagne Dreams or Check-In Nightmares?
Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Check-in/out [express]? Yes, please, if I’m running late as usual. Check-in/out [private]? Ooh, fancy. I like the sound of that. Honestly, the less time I spend at the actual desk, the better. I'm more about the immediate "GET ME TO MY ROOM!" experience.
The Room: My Personal Fortress (And Hopefully Not a Jail Cell)
Now, about the actual room. This is where the magic (or potential misery) can happen. First, the basics: Air conditioning? Crucial. Non-smoking rooms? Double crucial. I'm allergic to smoke, and no one wants a chain-smoking experience.
And the good stuff: Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, bathtub, blackout curtains (thank GOD), coffee/tea maker (heaven), hairdryer, safe box, internet access- LAN or wireless, in-room safe box, minibar, refrigerator, separate shower/bathtub, slippers, soundproofing (yes, please), Wi-Fi [free]. All the essentials ticked. Honestly, the bathrobes better be plush, and there better be a good coffee/tea maker because I need my jet-fuel caffeine to face the day.
Anecdote Time: I arrived at a hotel once (NOT Anantara, sadly) that said it had blackout curtains. Turns out, those curtains were more "sun-screen" than "blackout." I spent the entire first night baking in a sunbeam. NEVER AGAIN.
Room Rating: Tentatively 4.5/5 Stars (Pending Bathroom Clarity!)
Hygiene Heroes: Are They Actually Keeping Things Clean?
Okay, here's the COVID-19 reality check. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter… These are not just buzzwords anymore, and Anantara seems to be taking them seriously. Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol: good. Sterilizing equipment: even better. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this stuff is REALLY important to me. Hopefully, not too much.
I really like the Room sanitization opt-out available, because that could be a good point to reduce waste and it's a good flexibility to offer.
Cleanliness & Safety Rating: 4.75/5 stars (If they actually deliver!)
Eating, Drinking, and Snacking: Will I Eat My Way Through Nice?
This is where it gets interesting. A Restaurant? Of course. Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: Yes, yes, and YES. Give me diversity! I want some good, authentic food! Bar? Essential. Coffee shop? Double essential. I cannot live without coffee. The list goes on; Poolside bar? Yes please! Snack bar? YES! Breakfast [buffet] and Breakfast service, that’s important too.
Anecdote Time: I once stayed at a hotel where the "breakfast" was a sad croissant and a lukewarm coffee. I almost cried. Never Again.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking Rating: 5/5 Stars. (I’m hungry just thinking about it!)
Relax and Rejuvenate: The Spa or the Pool, or Both?
The Spa/sauna is essential. Body scrub, Massage, Spa. I'm in! I have to take the edge off. A pool with a view, oh HELL YES. Swimming pool [outdoor]? YES. Fitness center? Well, I say I'll use it…but we'll see. The promise of a steam room is also important. The sauna too. The hotel seems to have a lot.
Relaxation Rating: 5/5 Stars. (Sign me up!)
Things To Do: More Than Just Lounging By the Pool (Though That's Tempting)
Things to do? Now, I'm sure Nice has plenty to offer, but I'm especially interested in the hotel's offerings. Facilities for disabled guests are a must! Gift/souvenir shop, for the inevitable "I forgot to buy gifts" panic.
Things to do rating: 4/5 Stars (It sounds nice, the pool especially.)
Internet Access: Stay Connected (or Disconnect, Your Choice)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms is obviously a must (how else am I going to update my Instagram?). The fact that they offer Internet access – LAN is pretty nice too. Internet access – wireless. Also good. Internet services, okay.
Internet Rating: 5/5 Stars
Hotel Amenities and Services: Beyond the Basics
Services and conveniences. This is where the hotel can really shine. Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Laundry service, Luggage storage. All the essentials for making me look and feel less like a travel disaster. Currency exchange, Safety deposit boxes: Very useful.
Services and Amenities Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
For The Kids: Family Friendly? Or a Nightmare for Solo Travelers?
Babysitting service? A nice option. Family/child friendly? Okay. Kids facilities, Kids meal… I guess. Good for you, if you're traveling with kids. I'm just hoping they're quiet.
Kids Amenities Rating: Variable (Depends on My Mood!)
Getting Around: The French Riviera on Wheels (or Not)
Airport transfer? Score! Taxi service, Car park [on-site]. Excellent. Valet parking, the luxury. The option of car park [free of charge]? Awesome, if it’s really free! I can go anywhere!
Getting Around Rating: 5/5 Stars.
Bottom Line and Recommendation: Should You Book?
So, does Anantara Plaza Nice live up to the dream? Based on what I've seen and heard (and my general optimistic yet slightly jaded outlook), I'd say… probably.
The overall picture is looking very appealing. The promise of luxury, good food, a great spa, and all the amenities you need, with seemingly high marks on safety and cleanliness, is really great!
Final Verdict: 4.6/5 Stars.
My Offer: Escape to Paradise with Anantara Plaza Nice!
Here's a slightly messy, over-enthusiastic, and completely human-flavored pitch:
Tired of the same old, same old? Dreaming of sunshine, the sparkling Mediterranean, and feeling like a total VIP? Then ditch the drab and book your Anantara Plaza Nice getaway RIGHT NOW!
Here's why this is the ONLY trip you need to take:
- Immerse yourself in luxury: Think plush bathrobes, decadent breakfasts (buffet and room service!), and views that will seriously make your jaw drop.
- Relax and Rejuvenate: Seriously, do I even need to explain the need of a spa day?
- Location, Location, Location: You're basically in the heart of Nice, ready to explore.
- Safety & Sanitation: Relax, because the hotel is taking cleanliness seriously!
- Don't regret it: Don't delay, and book your paradise escape now!
Ready to book your escape? Head to their website TODAY and use code "GETAWAYNICE" for a special offer on your stay!
Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Lagun Hotel El Nido Experience
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's organized itinerary. This is a travel log in the making, a glorious, messy, human-filled symphony of Nice and the Anantara Plaza. Prepare to have your expectations… rearranged.
Anantara Plaza Nice: My Temporary Palace (and Potential Ruin) - A Semi-Chronological, Mostly-Emotional Journey
Day 1: Arrival & Questioning My Life Choices (in the Best Way Possible)
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Flight from… well, let's just say "Somewhere Overcast." Landed bleary-eyed in Nice. The sunshine though. Seriously, it's a slap in the face of joy. Immigration was a breeze – French efficiency! (Okay, maybe I'm still drunk on the plane air, but I'm digging it.) Grabbed a cab, a little too enthusiastically, and may have scared the driver with my excitement for croissants.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Check-in at Anantara Plaza Nice. The lobby. Oh. My. God. I felt like I'd walked into a perfume ad. Marble, chandeliers, the scent of something impossibly elegant. I, on the other hand, felt like I'd rolled out of a suitcase. The check-in staff were impeccably polite, even though I probably looked like I needed a lie-down (which, frankly, I did). My room? A balcony overlooking the Promenade des Anglais. My first thought: "I don't deserve this." My second thought: "Challenge accepted."
Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): The Balcony of Contemplation (and Panic). Unpacked (badly). Tried to operate the espresso machine (failed). Stared out at the sea. Sea = beautiful. The sheer blue of it! Started a mental list of all the things I could potentially screw up on this trip. Top of the list: French cuisine, which I'm pretty sure I will butcher.
Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Unscheduled Wandering and the Allure of Aperol Spritz. Took a stroll down the Promenade des Anglais. Found a perfect spot by the beach. And then the sun. The sun was so strong and amazing and the atmosphere took over. This is the moment I went in to a bar and order my first Aperol Spritz, I asked for water too. And I wasn't disappointed.
Evening (7:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Dinner at the hotel's restaurant, with a touch of awkwardness. The food? Divine. The service? Almost too attentive. I think I made eye contact with the waiter a little too long, and now I feel like we have a deeper connection than I'm comfortable with. Kept the wine flowing, to ease said discomfort. Fell into a deep night of sleep.
Day 2: Beach, Bread, and the Breakdown of Self-Control
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): The Beach Debacle. Decided this was the day to conquer the beach. Packed my (currently unread) book, sunscreen, and a vague sense of determination. Found a spot, felt the sun, got a little too confident, may have forgotten to reapply sunscreen. Am now bright red. Lesson learned (again). The water, though? Absolutely glorious. Waves were very strong.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): The Bread Apocalypse. Bought a baguette from a nearby boulangerie. The aroma was intoxicating. Ate half of it before even getting back to the hotel. Considered it a "pre-lunch snack." This is what I'm talking about.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Spa Day. Needed to hide from the sun, so decided on a massage. The spa at the Anantara? Heavenly. The masseuse, a zen master. Fell into a blissful state of near-oblivion. Emerged feeling like a new and slightly less lobster-hued person.
Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Shopping. Found a gorgeous shop full of… well, everything. Spent way too much money on a scarf. Worth it.
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Dinner and the Embrace of French Cuisine. Ventured out for dinner. Ordered something I had no idea what it was. It was… amazing. Learned that "boeuf bourguignon" is basically a hug in a bowl. Also learned that I love French wine and that every meal feels like a romantic comedy.
Day 3: Culture, Complications, and the Crumbling of My Diet
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): The Art Adventure. Attempted to be cultured. Visited the Musée Matisse. Actually quite enjoyed it! Felt a little smug (for a moment). However, I had no idea what the stuff was talking about but still I felt something.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Crepes. Found a crepe stand and gave in. Ham and cheese crepe, Nutella crepe. My diet is officially dead. I am okay with this.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Exploring the Old Town (Vieux Nice). Got wonderfully lost in the labyrinthine streets. Found a tiny gelato shop. More calories. No regrets. The vibrant colors, the narrow streets, the smell of spices and freshly baked bread – it's sensory overload in the best possible way. This place is magic.
Evening (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner, Again With the Food. Decided to go for Italian this time and ate pasta, pizza, and gelato.
Night (9:00 PM - Late): The Promenade & Bed. A final stroll along the Promenade to savor the last of the evening light. Back in the room to bed.
Day 4: Departure & Longing (and a Hint of Hope)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Breakfast and Farewell. One last, delicious breakfast at the Anantara. Said goodbye to the friendly staff. Dragged my suitcase (and my heart, a little) out of the hotel. Took an earlier flight home.
- Afternoon (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Flight home (overcast). The views were great, but my mind was on France.
- Evening (onwards): Already planning my return. Already dreaming of baguettes, blue seas, and maybe, just maybe, learning how to say "bonjour" without sounding like a complete idiot.
Reflections:
This trip was messy, imperfect, and utterly wonderful. Nice, France, is a chaotic, beautiful place that will leave you with more than just memories. I left with a tan, a slightly wider waistline, and a longing that's already setting the wheels in motion for my next adventure. The Anantara Plaza Nice was a perfect base for my exploration, it provided luxurious comfort and a staff that made me feel welcome no matter my level of travel incompetence.
This is my life. It is happening.
Escape to Paradise: La Bella Boutique Hotel, Tagaytay's Hidden Gem
Anantara Plaza Nice: You Think You're Ready? (Spoiler Alert: Maybe Not!)
Okay, spill the beans. Is Anantara Plaza Nice *actually* as glamorous as it looks on Instagram?
Glamorous? Honey, it's practically dripping in diamonds... and maybe a little bit of inherited wealth, if we're being honest. Yeah, the photos? They're real, but they *also* conveniently omit the occasional rogue seagull dive-bombing your croissant at breakfast. I mean, seriously, I saw a woman almost lose a diamond earring to one of those feathered fiends! (The woman, by the way, was wearing a truly *stunning* hat. Revenge is a dish best served... in a hat, apparently.)
Is the location really *that* good? I mean, it *looks* amazing.
The location? Let me tell you a story. Picture this: Me, jet-lagged to the point of existential dread, stumbling out of the hotel at 7 AM, fully expecting to be greeted by a grimy back alley. Nope. Instead? A view of the Promenade des Anglais that snatched my breath away. The *sea*. The *sky*. The sheer, unadulterated *glamour* of it all! It's like stepping straight into a movie. And then you remember you forgot your sunglasses and the sun is absolutely *merciless*. (Don't forget your sunglasses.)
And, side note? The proximity to everything is *ridiculous*. Walkable, people! You can practically roll out of bed and into a Michelin-starred restaurant. Though, fair warning, I did try that once. Highly recommend shoes.
Let's talk rooms. Are they worth the price tag?
Okay, the rooms. This is where things get... nuanced. Yes, they're gorgeous. Like, *really* gorgeous. Think fluffy robes, giant beds you can practically get lost in, and enough marble to make a Roman emperor blush. BUT… let's be real, you're *paying* for that. Is it "worth it" in a purely financial sense? Probably not. But, and here's the crucial but, the feeling of waking up in a room that *screams* luxury, the sheer indulgence of it all… that's priceless. (My bank account may disagree, but my soul is happy.)
Pro Tip: Request a room with a balcony. Trust me on this. Afternoon wine, the sound of the waves... pure bliss. Just don't drop your phone. I *may* or may not have almost done that. Twice.
The food. Is the food good? Because I'm *all about* the food.
Oh. My. God. The food. Okay, so I'm a foodie, unapologetically. And the food at Anantara Plaza? It's an experience. The breakfast buffet? Forget your diet, your willpower crumbles before the pastry selection. I’m talking croissants that are fluffy, buttery clouds of pure joy. And the fruit! Perfectly ripe, bursting with flavor… I may have eaten an entire pineapple by myself. Don't judge me.
But the real showstopper? That rooftop restaurant. The views are stunning, the ambiance is perfect, and the lobster risotto? Honestly, I'm still dreaming about it. Okay, yes, it's expensive. But that risotto? Worth every single penny. Worth selling a kidney for, even. Don't tell my doctor I wrote that.
What about the service? Is it as attentive as they say?
Alright, service. This is where I have to be *honest*. Mostly, yes. It's impeccable. They anticipate your needs before you even know you *have* the need. Need a taxi? Poof! It appears. Need a recommendation for a good gelato? Done. They're friendly, helpful, and generally make you feel like absolute royalty.
Now, the *hiccup*? I did have one minor… thing. Once. I accidentally locked myself out on my balcony (see "Pro Tip" above about the balcony). It took them about 20 minutes to get me back in. 20 minutes of panic, questioning all my life choices, and realizing I was wearing nothing but a robe. But, they were *so* apologetic! And honestly, the entire ordeal is now a hilarious anecdote. (And I'm pretty sure the concierge now secretly judges my balcony-related decisions.)
The spa! Tell me about the spa!
The spa. Okay, so I'm not usually a spa person. I'm more of a "walk around the city until my feet ache" kind of traveler. But... after a few days of that, I caved. And, dear god, I'm so glad I did. It's an oasis. Serene, calming, all that zen stuff. Had a massage that was so good I almost fell asleep mid-massage. Almost. And they have a jacuzzi. That part was... interesting. The jets were *powerful* (I think they were trying to exfoliate a layer off me). But, you know, in a good way. I floated out of there feeling like a whole new person. Worth it. Even the part where I was slightly waterlogged.
Pro tip: Book a treatment *before* you arrive. This one of the few things you can’t just walk up and decide on.
Is there anything actually *bad* about the hotel? Don't hold back.
Alright, here's the truth bomb. It's *expensive*. Like, "I need to start eating ramen for a month" expensive. And, let's face it, the people-watching can be a bit… intense. You’ll see a *lot* of designer bags and carefully sculpted eyebrows. (I secretly judge, too.) And the pool? Sometimes it feels a little… crowded.
But even those minor annoyances fade away when you’re sipping a perfectly made cocktail, watching the sunset, and pretending you have absolutely no responsibilities. So, yeah, it's flawed. But it's a *gloriously* flawed experience. Honestly? I'd go back in a heartbeat. And maybe, just maybe, I'd wear a hat. Those seagulls are serious!
Would you actually recommend Anantara Plaza Nice?
Absolutely. Without a doubt. Even if you're like me, someone who hoards hotel shampoo and cries a little when checking the bill. It's an experience. A memory maker. A place where you can feel truly spoiled.
Just… save up. And pack those sunglasses. And maybe a hat.
Starlight Inns
