HÔTEL EXCELSIOR ^{* * * *}

A great hotel. Everything you need is there. Clean, local to everything and friendly staff.

Great hotel. Friendly staff

wonderful

Excellent location if you need the train, and the waterfront is within walking distance. Staff were excellent as well. The room was clean and decorated nicely. The two single beds pushed against each other were comfy. I particularly liked the pillows.

EDIT: Note that this is NOT a 4 star hotel based on the usual 5 star standard. I have learned that France has an agency that rates hotels on their own 1-4 star scale, which is essentially just a checklist of basic amenities. This establishment has achieved 4 stars on that scale. This scale does not line up at all with what one would typically expect when reading this is a "4 star hotel". The below was written when I assumed they were 4 stars based on the more international system that I'm used to. Since learning that, I've adjusted my review from 2 stars to 4. This should be more more obvious on Maps and other booking sites, as it's misleading to potential non-French guests.

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However, for a place that bills itself as 4 stars, I am disappointed. I have been in motels in North America that were very nearly as nice, for a fraction of the cost. The AirBnB I stayed at (also in Nice, and near by) a week prior was cheaper and much nicer, offering complementary champagne, beach towels, a larger room, and a full kitchen. My gripe is that I expected a much more luxurious experience from a "4 star" hotel, but got very middling facilities. If they advertised as 2 stars, or maybe even 3, and brought prices down somewhat, I wouldn't be nearly as harsh with my rating.

The toilet being in a separate closet from a sink was odd at best, and unsanitary at worst. I do mean a closet, I'm 5'10 and if I was any taller I wouldn't have been able to close the door while sitting on the toilet.

Breakfast was offered for €19 (smelled good, but I didn't partake). The bar was closed the evening I was there (or didn't open until the night, unclear). The outdoor area with the small pool and bar was nicely decorated. If there was a proper restaurant for not-breakfast or room service, I was not made aware of it and didn't see it.

Frankly, I didn't experience anything outright bad, and I want to call out the staff again for being excellent. It's just that this is not a 4 star hotel despite advertising as such. It's not a bad place to stay, just poor value.

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