Amy Adejokun
Section editor
This latest gem of the Boscolo brand aims to please an upmarket clientele. It caters primarily to couples who have a passion for interior decorating and... for the colour white. The attention to detail, the attentive service and very trendy facilities all aim to place this new establishment among the top hotels of the coast.
Boscolo Exedra - © Patrick SAGNES / EASYVOYAGE
Boscolo Exedra - © Patrick SAGNES / EASYVOYAGE
The hotel is located on boulevard Victor Hugo in the commercial zone of Nice, close to the historic centre and the sea (expect a 15 minute walk). It is next to the main shopping mall of the city. Expect around 20 minutes to get to the central station and a little over half-an-hour to get to the airport. The hotel is surrounded by bus and tram stops and there is a regular flow of cabs to take you anywhere you want.
The guest rooms at the Exedra are exceptionally white, with the odd touch of red provided by a drawing of a rose (the emblem of the hotel). The blend of this design with some nearly rococo elements undeniably adds a lot of originality and personality to the hotel. The hotel is totally modern, with guest rooms built as lofts with entirely open spaces or suites, which have a bedroom, bathroom or sitting-room area.
An Italian architect by the name of Maurizio Papiri designed the hotel, which he claims is a proud homage to Italian know-how in the most Italian of French towns on the Riviera.
In the suites, the Exedra rooms and the deluxe rooms, the amenities show the same attention to detail as in the rest of the establishment. The size and the service may vary but you won't be disappointed by the standard rooms (dubbed the "Exedra" by the marketing team, probably so as to give them the feeling of belonging to a higher category) that are equipped with : a flat screen TV and sport a minimalist design and a decent size (25m² to 100m²-meters according to the category). All of this confirms the wise choices made by the management as it strives to turn the establishment into one of the hot spots of the Riviera.
In keeping with the dominant white decor, the bathroom is marble-clad and offers many welcome toiletries symbolically displayed behind a pane of glass, just like jewellery behind a shop display. From the multi-jet shower to the comfortable bathrobes and the big mirrors, the general impression is that every detail has been carefully thought out.
The welcoming Boscolo Exedra is a beautiful and typical Riviera building. Built towards the end of the 19th century, its white facade reflects the French Riviera sun, thus creating a strange style contrast between the exterior facade and the interior decorating.
In a way though, the immaculate colour of the facade certainly does announce the theme of the establishment. As you enter, you'll discover a huge shining reception hall where everything is white: the walls, the sofas and the armchairs, the reception desk, even the piano at the back of the room. One of the exits takes you to the "La Pescheria" restaurant whereas the other leads to the main bar and the breakfast room. An iron horse, a modern statue, the charmingly quaint lights and a scarlet rose on the white armchairs add the final touches to this particularly classy entrance. The room is entirely modern and in stark contrast with the classic facade. An interesting concept.
Undeniably at the height of fashion, the hotel wants to become one of the most popular hotels among the younger visitors of the Riviera, or even a celebrity haunt. The originality of the place is unmistakable. All we need now is guests to who will appreciate it!
The breakfast room is located behind the bar. The level of detail and the friendly presentation won't make you forget the absence of windows in this room and its strange location within the establishment. It has nothing in common with the open setting of the à la carte "Pescheria" restaurant. Entirely decorated with wood and numerous bay windows looking out to the front of this beautiful building, the restaurant unsurprisingly offers specialities from the sea. The context and the setting are particularly enjoyable. Meals are served in two large sitting rooms decorated with wood and simple curves that add a touch of modernism without resembling the designer look of the reception area.
The cuisine is mainly Italian and international, reinvented by a young cook and a Japanese chef in charge of Asian specialties. The menu is defined as being "slightly fusion". The sushi and sashimi are prepared in front of the diners and are to be enjoyed right there on the spot.
The " Genesi " bar has colours, tones and shapes that take you back to the 70's and that are quite popular in the trendy bars of Milan. Indeed, you will find Milan-style snacks made with typical Italian products served here.
We particularly appreciated the interior of the Pescheria and the use of wood that makes it look like something out of the tundra. It is in total contrast with the whiteness of the rest of the establishment.
The hotel does include a Spa of course, and despite being small, offers treatments and massages. The jacuzzi swimming pool is 16 m long and totally covered. Light filters in through skylights that seem to open out onto a submarine universe. There are several water jets with different temperatures and a mini beach (mini being the word to keep in mind here) with two or three deck chairs.
Far from the beach and without an outdoor pool, the hotel should be considered as an urban hotel rather than a seaside resort establishment.
There are plans to build a terrace on the fifth floor: To be continued...
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