Unique Sleeps: Boscolo Exedra, Nice

Unique Sleeps: Amazing hotels hand picked by Expedia Experts. Boscolo Exedra, Nice France

It’s all white at the Boscolo Exedra. No really, the place is about 85% white. It certainly makes a design statement; one that could very easily go wrong and seem too clinical or space age but, for the most part, I think they’ve nailed it.

The beautiful Belle Epoque style of the hotel’s exterior, situated in a leafy quiet street an easy 10-minute walk from the busier tourist areas of Nice, France, is very impressive. It’s when you get inside though that the magic, thanks to a large scale renovation in 2008, starts to happen.

The lobby is by far the most impressive space in the hotel. Sun streams through the glass roof onto white walls, a white floor, white chairs, upholstered with fuchsia and pink florals and a crazy amount of fresh flowers. The large modern ceiling light, looking like a giant cloud, twinkles above. Huge metal horse sculptures certainly pack a punch! Make no mistake, this is a very modern hotel.

In our room, the white theme continues. While this look isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and it’s more light, bright and open than it is cosy, I found it refreshingly different. The bathroom (with a great sized tub, tick) is open plan to the bedroom, save for a glass panel and a white curtain, so this wouldn’t be suitable for non-couples or new couples!

Inside the bathroom is an impressive array of around 15 toiletry miniatures covering body lotion, bath and shower gel, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner and mouthwash in a variety of fragrances and flavours. Lined up, test tube-like, it’s a fun touch and a welcome pop of rainbow colours in the otherwise white space. It’s another example of attention to detail, like having a white rather than black television, and fresh flowers on the side table. Our room was at the front of the hotel and a door opened onto a balcony, which while only big enough to stand on, had a lovely view of Nice.

A letdown for me was the lack of tea and coffee making facilities in the room, with none provided in the lobby in the morning as is common in many hotels which don’t offer kettles or coffee makers. This left us with no option but to order coffee from room service which would have been very costly once you add the cover charge and expected tip.

While we didn’t eat or drink at the restaurant or bar, both were beautifully decorated and, due to not being all-white, felt warm, cosy and comfortable. We heard rave reviews of the hotel’s food. Room service, which we did sample, was surprisingly reasonable with generous portions.

Some nice extras include use of the spa and indoor pool in the basement which, although small and cave-like and more for lolling about than doing laps, is rare in a hotel in an old building near the middle of town. There’s also a reserved area of the nearby (pebble) beach available to you at a fee (around EU30 per person per day) with sun loungers, and there are also bikes to rent at the hotel.

While this hotel isn’t perhaps my own personal style, I was impressed with the efforts they have gone to make this something unique and modern. Although the hallways feel a little sterile, for the most part the design is very well executed. I’d recommend The Boscolo Exedra if you’re looking for something modern, design-focused and unique.

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