My husband and I.....stayed at the Grand Hotel le Florence in Nice last weekend, just a mini-break. I was quite happy with it , friendly staff, clean accommodation, very comfortable double bed, clean, if compact, en suite. Our room had only a view of the fire escape and the buildings beyond but we spent most of our time sight-seeing anyway, so for a weekend away from it all in a lovely town close to the sea le Florence is quite suitable! As somebody else commented - take your own toiletries as they don't provide more than a sachet of shower gel - forwarned is forearmed! Thanks to Tripadvisor we had all that we needed.

We stayed at this hotel for 5 nights during the last week of March. We opted to make our own way from the Airport using the Number 98 bus which the hotel staff had told us about via email beforehand. This cost us the princely sum of 8 euros, as opposed to the 30+ euros it would have cost had we booked the hotel's shuttle service. The bus stop is at Place Massena, the big central square which is just a short walk from this hotel.

The hotel itself is in a narrow, quiet side street, just off Rue de Jean Medecin, Nice's main shopping thoroughfare. This position is the hotel's strength, because it is quite easy to access all areas of the city from here, either on foot, via the tram system or by bus. Furthermore, Nice's central railway station is just a 10 minute walk away, which is ideal for visits along the coast to Monaco/Monte Carlo etc (recommended!).

The reception area is very small, as is the lift, which accesses each of the 5 floors. Two people plus luggage is about all that it will take! The staff were friendly and able to speak English. All of our various queries were answered courteously and efficiently.

Now for the room. This was a disappointment. It was extremely small and dark, being at the rear of the hotel. The view was of the air conditioning unit opposite. We had opted for a double non-smoker which equated to two single beds which we pushed together. Facilities were basic, just a single, small wardrobe and table. Storage was inadequate. There was a colour TV with a pay-to-view option and a mini-bar, but we didn't make use of this.

The bathroom was tiny! In fact there was no bath, rather just a small shower with wrap around curtain. There was a WC and washstand and a very basic hairdryer. Bathroom linen was changed daily though the towels were very small and thin. We suggest that you take your own toiletries as those supplied were inadequate.

The room was quite clean. The maid refreshed the bed linen once during our stay.

There is a small breakfast room and bar on the first floor. Breakfast is buffet style and follows the usual Continental pattern. However, the room is very small so at times guests needed to wait for table space. The bar is also very small with a few sofas and a wall mounted plasma screen.

If you are looking for more creature comforts then look elsewhere. However, if you just want somewhere to lay your head, like us, then you will be able to cope with the limitations of this establishment.

We are staying at this hotel right now and it was a real disappointment. We had booked a double non-smoking room for 80 euros a night, but on arrival we were shown a twin room on a smoking floor. The only non-smoking double available was one with a terrace (small, overlooking street), but it was 20 euros more a night, but we had no choice but to take it. Were this some other hotels, they would not have charged the extra. The room is very small with stains on carpeting and black mold in the shower. Not as nice as in photos. The owner never remembers who we are and anything offered costs extra, except wifi access, which is nice. There is a pretty good breakfast room and a nice sitting room with TV though. I like nice linens and preferably duvets, but this is the bog standard pilly blanket and rarely laundered bedspread. Pillows are very small too. Ceiling has leak stains on it. Shower is so, so tiny. Everything speaks "what's the least we can get away with" to me and I wish we were elsewhere. When we asked the owner to recommend a place for dinner that is not too expensive, he referred us to Le Bistro nearby where our bill ended up being 152 euros for 3 courses each and a cheap bottle of wine! We have never spent that on dinner anywhere and we do like good food. The food was okay, but not spetacular. The flavors should have been more intense, but were flat and everything was done on the cheap -- not the French way with reduction sauces. We bought ready made hot entrees at the nearby MonoPrix tonight which were wonderful....much better flavors. This is a great store, by the way -- clothing, housewares, groceries, prepared foods, wine, and more -- at very reasonable prices.

We stayed here for three days whilst the flower festival was on, (don't go to it!) This hotel was fantastic. Good value for money, clean, up-to-date decor and really friendly and obliging staff. We arrived early in Nice and were allowed to check in to our rooms early at no extra cost which was a bonus. The hotel has its own little bar if you're too tired to go out but its in a fantastic location, close to shops and famous landmarks. The only problem was the toilet was a bit close to the bathroom door. But having said that i'd certainly stay here next time i come to Nice.