Hôtel Aston La Scala ★★★★

Arriving at the impressive exterior of the Hotel Aston La Scala, you’ll know you’ve found a quality Nice address - from its elegant lemon coloured façade, to its central location just minutes from the beach.

Upstairs you’ll find your unique space to be minimalistic, yet stylish with that touch of French Riviera charm in the dark wood furniture and ochre yellow soft furnishings. With a sleek bathroom, flat screen TV, mini bar and free Wi-Fi, you’ll find this the perfect base from which to explore the city. Look outside and you’ll also find that your room offers you a unique view of Nice’s Old Town and Promenade du Paillon. With charming views and tea and coffee making facilities, you can make sure your Nice break starts off well.

With over 300 sunny days per year, you can pretty much guarantee that the weather here will be perfect for exploring, whatever the time of year – which is handy because Nice is best discovered on foot. Begin in Vieux Nice, the city’s Old Town, lined with quaint historic colourful buildings dating back to the 1700s. Get lost among its tiny lanes and alleyways and you’ll come across vibrant food and flower markets, small boutiques and gourmet delis. Keep an eye out for elegant Baroque masterpieces such as the Cathedral Ste-Reparate, lively Chapelle Misericorde and the 17th-century Palais Lascaris. You’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped back in time among these cobbled streets, ancient frescoes and 18th century style shops.

Of course you’ll also want to leave time to spend at the beach - they may all be pebbly, but they’re also picturesque and offer a range of activities from pedal-boats to jet skis and beach volley ball. The most popular of the city’s beaches is Plage Publique des Ponchettes opposite the Old Town, but you’ll also find plenty of exclusive private beaches with comfy mattresses and luxury services.

In the summer months you can also enjoy the hotel’s pool located on the striking roof terrace. It offers panoramic views and plenty of space for sunbathing, as well as the Moon Bar serving light lunches and afternoon cocktails overlooking the sea, the Old Town and the elegant Promenade du Paillon.

In the evenings, treat yourself to dinner at the Restaurant l’Horloge, a classic French brasserie with a heated terrace and delicious Mediterranean offerings. End your evening in style on the riviera, offering stunning city views to the sound of live music. From here you can start to understand what the hype about Nice and the French Riviera is really all about.