Hi Hotel is the brainchild of Matali Crasset, former student of Philippe Starck and hotshot of French design. It’s certainly impressive, with its ultra-modern décor and 38 rooms, but it’s also resolutely not for technophobes. The sleek rooms, pristine white walls and purple resin floor, have shutters operated by remote control, while the TV is a projector with a huge, pull-down screen.
It’s all a bit like being in your own screening room, but not one for retiring violets – you might find a sculptural bath tub situated right in the middle of the bedroom, and the loo, complete with luminous pink lighting, is separated from the bedroom by only a smoked glass sliding door. There are no minibars in the rooms; instead you’ll need to nip out into the corridor to one of the vending machines (which dispenses champagne).
It may all sound a bit hipper-than-thou, but it’s actually lovely. Little details – the efficient friendliness of the staff, especially – keep jumping out at you to remind you that it’s no high design exercise in style over substance, but a proper hotel. A great organic breakfast is served in the courtyard garden and – best of all – the rooftop pool and terrace open out onto fine views over the city’s red rooftops and away to the glittering Mediterranean beyond.
What’s hot?
- The pink lift to the roof terrace
- The vending machine for champagne
- Try the homemade muesli
What’s not?
- Food options are limited
- Urban rooms – the cheapest category – are a bit on the basic side
Need to Know: Hi Hotel
Number of rooms: 38
Check-in/check-out times: 3pm and 12noon
Room service: Yes
Swimming pool: Yes
Spa: Yes
Dogs welcome: Yes. Small dogs are welcome
Eating and drinking: The Hisushi restaurant serves a delicious and very on-trend variety of sushi and lots of mainly healthy eating options. There’s also a beautifully designed Happy Bar, complete with top-end design features.
Near to? Nearby attractions include the Etoile Shopping Centre, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and for some greenery, the Garden of Albert I which looks onto the seafront and is one of the oldest gardens in Nice.
Getting there: The hotel is set in a residential district of Nice. Airport transfers can be arranged to the nearest major airport, Nice, while if you have to go it alone a taxi ride will take about 15 minutes (depending on the traffic).
SPECIAL OFFERS AT HI HOTEL:
Hi Hotel are offering ELLE escapes users four nights for the price of three from June 24 right up until September 30.
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