Right in Vieux Nice, the highly anticipated Hôtel du Couvent is now open!  With its seamless blend of past and present, the Hôtel du Couvent promises to redefine monastic luxury while embracing the rich heritage of Nice.

This extraordinary project has been a decade in the making, ever since the municipality decided to transform the 17th-century Couvent de la Visitation, into a hotel. Before the transformation the building had fallen into decay and was unused. News of the planned project aroused immediate opposition from local residents who worried about the potential desecration of the neighborhood’s character. Lawsuits started flying.

The legal challenges were unsuccessful but the Covid pandemic caused further delays. Despite the obstacles the developers persisted. The British company Perseus, specializing in creating unique hotels, spearheaded the transformation in collaboration with Studio Mumbai, Studio Méditerranée for architecture, and Festen for interior design.

Perched atop Old Nice, just below the Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill) that dominates the city, the former convent is a quiet haven far from the crowds that wander the narrow streets of the Old Town.  The main entrance is located at the top left of rue Rossetti, which begins in front of Sainte-Réparate Cathedral.

But guests (and taxi drivers)  won’t have to worry about finding the entrance. Electric carts will transport guests and their luggage from 2 rue Centrale, right off boulevard Jean Jaures.

Upon passing through the heavy wooden gate identical to that of the old convent, visitors enter a passage a few meters long. On the right are the luggage room and offices, on the left are  two windows opening onto the reception and a pastry shop. This is where the fresh  madeleines will be prepared and then offered while still warm to each lucky visitor upon their arrival.

The passage leads to a courtyard planted with orange trees, which extends to a second courtyard called the cloister at the foot of the main U-shaped building.

38 of the hotel’s 88 rooms are in this building, which was once the heart of the convent. The rest are found in an entrance annex, an 18th-century apartment block and a brand new wing designed by Jain and Louis-Antoine.

Wander the grounds and halls to admire the objets d’art from the original convent.

The rooms feature terracotta tiles and ocher-tinted walls, blending perfectly with the soft lighting and subtle furnishings mostly imported from Italy. Every detail has been carefully crafted to respect and highlight the original style of the convent while seamlessly integrating modern technology, like the invisible electronic door locks.

Inside the rooms, the beige-toned walls and minimalist decor, adorned with small paintings and flowers, create a meditative vibe . While the design is subdued and monastic, the comforts of the 21st century are ever-present, with marble-clad bathrooms, powerful showers, and excellent Wi-Fi connectivity. Note that the rooms do not have televisions which are so 20th century!

The hotel’s incredible one-hectare garden, rising in successive terraces above the buildings, is a true highlight. The first level is dedicated to vegetable cultivation, with perfectly aligned rows of lush salad greens waiting to be harvested. Ascending the stairs, visitors can relax in designated seating areas, dine al fresco and, at the top, bask in the 20-meter-long lap-swimming pool, offering stunning views of the roofs of Old Nice and the Mediterranean Sea (guests only).

Beyond its luxurious accommodations, the Hôtel du Couvent aims to be a vibrant hub for the local community. It features a spa with a large indoor swimming pool, a bakery, an herbalist, and three restaurants: Restaurant du Couvent; Bistrot des Serruriers; La Guinguette. The restaurant cuisine features unfussy local cooking with products sourced from a local farm. Everything will be seasonal and fresh.

A library will welcome students interested in the history of the convent as well as the Ecole de Nice art movement and there’s a performance space. A small market offering local products will be organized every Saturday morning on the Place des Orangers. Everything except the outdoor swimming pool will open to the public, including the beautiful lounge.

Staying in the Hotel du Couvent is an unparalleled way to experience unique Nice’s heritage while enjoying top end luxury. In addition to the lack of TV, there are other particularities of the hotel that merit a mention. For those hoping to wake up to a view of the baie des anges, forget it. There are no rooms with sea views and no rooms with balconies except for one suite. Stay along the Promenade des Anglais for sea views. The hotel is 350m from the nearest public transport which is the  Cathedrale-Vieille Ville tram stop on Tram line 1.  It’s about the same distance to Castel Beach. There’s no on-site parking. The nearest parking garage costs €60 per day which is expensive for Nice. Private parking here runs about €25 per day. At least as of now, the only breakfast option proposed is a continental breakfast served in the room or ordering from an a la carte menu in the restaurant. This is unusual for a 5-star hotel in Nice where buffet breakfasts are the norm.

See details, prices and availability for the Hotel du Couvent

See Where to Stay in Nice for accommodation recommendations in 10 top neighborhoods in Nice.