Unbelievable Hotel Durante Nice: Your Dream French Riviera Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea, the rosé, the whole damn terroir on the Unbelievable Hotel Durante Nice. Forget those dry-as-a-crust reviews – you're getting the real, unfiltered Nino. And seriously, this place? It's… almost unbelievable. But, in the best way, you know?
First Impressions: Does it hold up to the hype?
Okay, let's be honest. The name "Unbelievable Hotel" sets the bar high. And arriving on the French Riviera, expecting… paradise? The pressure's on! But, honestly, the Durante, it almost pulls it off. The first thing that sucker-punched me was the location. Bam! Right in the heart of Nice, a hop, skip, and a stumble from the shimmering Mediterranean. Hello, dream getaway.
Accessibility: Can everyone enjoy the Riviera?
This is important. I'm not personally a wheelchair-user, but I know accessibility is crucial. And Durante gets points for effort. Elevators? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? They have 'em. The website claims "wheelchair accessible," but I'd recommend calling ahead and being very specific about your needs. Sometimes “accessible” can mean different things to different people. I'm guessing the main areas are fine, but the cobblestone streets of Nice are notoriously tricky. And, I'm sure there are little imperfections, you know? Like maybe a super-tight turn in a bathroom? But, hey, they're trying, and that deserves respect.
Rooms: Where the Magic (and Mild Imperfections) Happen
So, the rooms. I’m gonna be real with you, some are a little… blah. Think crisp, clean, but not exactly "wow, this screams Riviera glam." However, they've got the important stuff nailed: Air conditioning (essential!), free Wi-Fi (praise the digital gods!), blackout curtains (hallelujah for sleep!), and a mini-bar (for those midnight chocolate cravings). I went for the room with a view, which, thankfully, actually had a view - a glorious sweep of the city. But, a little tip: book a high floor. The higher, the better. And, some of the rooms feel, honestly, a little… compact. But hey, who spends all day in their room on the Riviera anyway?
And, here’s a quirk I loved: a mirror everywhere. A proper, full-length mirror. A girl needs to check if her beach bod looks good, right?
Internet: Staying Connected (or Not)
Okay, let’s be real. We're glued to our phones, aren’t we? Durante understands this because you've got Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Seriously. No more paying ridiculous fees to update your Instagram story. They also offer regular Internet access, Internet [LAN], and Internet services. So, if you need to get some work done (ew, work!), you can. But really, disconnect, people! Enjoy the sunshine!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure?
This is where things get interesting. Let's start with the essentials: Breakfast! They offer Breakfast [buffet], Western breakfast (hallelujah for crispy bacon!), and some Asian breakfast options too. The buffet was fine. Standard hotel fare. Nothing to write home about. But also, nothing to scream about.
The restaurants? There are a few. The A la carte in restaurant, Restaurants, and Vegetarian restaurant options are all there. They also offer Room service [24-hour]! This is a serious perk. Especially if you've had a bit too much rosé during happy hour.
Here's the kicker: the Poolside bar and access to Happy hour. Seriously, a cocktail by the pool with that view is heaven. The Poolside bar? The real deal. The Poolside bar is where you want to be! And, the Snack bar is great for a quick bite. I might have had about five croque monsieurs one afternoon. Don't judge me. I was on vacation! They even have the basics covered: Coffee/tea in restaurant and Coffee shop. It's all there.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and Unleash the Inner You
Alright, here's where the Durante really shines. This place is a spa-lover's dream. They have a Spa, a Spa/sauna, a Sauna, and a Steamroom. I am a sucker for these. The massage was absolutely divine. I might have fallen asleep.
And the Swimming pool? Absolutely dreamy. The Swimming pool [outdoor] is gorgeous. The Pool with view is where you’ll want to be.
I didn't get a chance to explore the Fitness center (too busy eating croissants, okay?), but it's there if you want to work off those extra calories. They even do Body scrub and Body wrap. I thought about it, but I was just too relaxed to get scrubbed.
Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping it Clean and Staying Safe
After the pandemic, obviously, this is more important than ever. And Durante takes it seriously. They have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere. They offer Room sanitization opt-out available (for those of us slightly paranoid…) and Rooms sanitized between stays. They also have a Safe dining setup and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. All the necessary steps.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easy
This hotel understands the art of pampering. They have a Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Laundry service, and a Dry cleaning. Hello, luxury!
For the Kids: Family Fun
Family/child friendly – awesome. Babysitting service – check! They even have Kids facilities and a Kids meal.
Getting Around: Navigating Nice (and Beyond)
They've got you sorted for travel. Airport transfer, Taxi service, Valet parking, and Car park [on-site] and Car park [free of charge].
Quirks, Imperfections, and Nino’s Verdict:
Okay, here's the real, unvarnished truth. The Durante isn’t perfect. The decor can feel a little… predictable in places. And the hallways? A bit like stepping into a slightly bland office. But, honestly? Those are minor niggles. The staff are genuinely lovely. The location is gold. The pool is amazing. And the overall vibe is one of relaxed elegance.
My big takeaway? The Durante is the kind of place where you can truly unwind. Where you can sip rosé by the pool, get a killer massage, and forget about the chaos of the real world. It's not quite "unbelievable," but it's damn close.
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Alright, Alright, Alright… Nice! (Hotel Durante & Beyond - A Messy, Glorious Itinerary)
Okay, deep breaths. This is the plan, the… attempted plan, for my trip to Nice, France. I’m staying at the Hotel Durante, which, according to the reviews, is either charmingly run-down or delightfully authentic. Crossing my fingers for the latter, because "charming" covers a multitude of sins, right? Let's see if this holds up in the face of the French Riviera… and my inherent chaos.
Day 1: Arrival & The Case of the Missing Luggage (Or, "Why am I Always Late?")
- Morning (6:00 AM - Theoretically?): Alarm screams. Hotel Durante? More like Hotel Durante - I'm running late already! Flight’s at… oh god, it's already 7:00 AM. Grab the last croissant from my fridge and sprint to the airport. Always. Late. It's a genetic predisposition, I swear.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - Delayed): Land in Nice. Sun's blinding. Immediately overwhelmed by the sheer glamour of the place. Luggage? Uh oh. Cue frantic circling of the baggage claim carousel, muttering to myself. "Come on, come on… where's my goddamn suitcase?!" Turns out, it’s vacationing in… Amsterdam? Seriously? (Minor breakdown commenced. Needed a cigarette. Didn’t have any. Needed a strong drink. Didn’t have any of those either.)
- Afternoon (2:30 PM - Maybe?): Finally arrive at the Hotel Durante after a taxi driver who clearly thought he was auditioning for a Formula 1 race. The lobby is… intense. Think faded grandeur meets slightly peeling wallpaper. It's either going to be a disaster or the best thing that ever happened to me. The receptionist, a woman with hair the colour of a well-aged Burgundy (and the same level of apparent patience), just sighs and hands me a key. “Your room. Try not to set the building on fire, Madame.” Ominous, much?
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - Panic Mode!): Room check… the lock is sticky. The walls are thin, I can hear my neighbour snoring already. The bathroom is… well, let's just say I’ve seen cleaner porta-potties at a music festival. But, hey, the view! A sliver of the Mediterranean and a whole lot of character. At least, I think it's the Mediterranean. It could be the English Channel for all I know, because my suitcase is in Amsterdam. This trip is shaping up to be a masterpiece of disappointment.
- Evening (5:00 PM - Recovery?): After a near-breakdown I decided food is the cure for all my problems. First a quick trip to the local supermarket, I found something that resembles a bottle of wine and a baguette. Back at the hotel, and I’m starting to feel a flicker of optimism. Wine, bread, no suitcase? Who needs a suitcase? This is liberation! (Also, I realized I hadn't eaten anything besides the croissant back in London.)
Day 2: The Promenade des Anglais & The Pursuit of the Perfect Gelato (And My First Near-Death Experience!)
- Morning (9:00 AM - Eventually): Finally got the body out of bed. Head throbbing slightly after the wine. Breakfast – more bread (thank God for local bakeries!). Then, down to the Promenade des Anglais. Oh. My. God. The turquoise water, the palm trees swaying in the breeze, the ridiculously attractive people… It's like a movie set. A movie set I want to star in.
- Morning (10:00 AM - Gelato Hunt): I swear, I'm going to find the BEST gelato in Nice. This is now my mission. Wandering, tasting, comparing. And I almost got run over by a scooter while gawking at a particularly stunning sunset. (Turns out, pedestrians in Nice share the road with scooters? Who knew? I didn’t.) The gelato was SO worth it. Or maybe it was the near-death experience that gave it extra flavour.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - "Culture"?): Off to the Matisse Museum. I appreciate art… in theory. But after a while, all the colours and shapes start blending together. I'm more interested in the pigeons. They're doing their own little dance while I'm standing here like a moron. I did learn, though, that Matisse loved this area. Clearly, he didn't have to deal with luggage drama.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - Exploring the Old Town): The Old Town, Vieux Nice, is a labyrinth. Narrow streets, colourful buildings, the smell of spices and something vaguely… fishy. Lost myself immediately, which is probably what you're SUPPOSED to do. Found a little café selling ridiculously delicious crepes. The perfect pick-me-up.
- Evening (7:00 PM - Dinner Debacle): Made a valiant attempt at dinner. Ended up in some tourist trap, overpriced, under-flavoured. And then I spilled wine. All over myself. Managed not to cry. Success!
Day 3: Markets, Mountains, and Maybe, Just Maybe, a Little Romance?
- Morning (8:00 AM - Food Glorious Food!): The Cours Saleya flower market! Even I can appreciate this burst of colour and fragrance. And the market stalls selling food? Olives, cheeses, fresh produce… I ate half a baguette filled with local olives and cheese before I realized I hadn't even looked at the flowers.
- Morning (10:00 AM - The Hills are Alive!): Took a bus up into the hills. Insane views of the city. Tried to take a breathtaking photo, nearly tripped over the camera, and ended up with a shot of the sky. But, wow, the air! So fresh! So clean! So… bracing.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - Lunch with Charm): Discovered a tiny, unassuming bistro with a view that seemed plucked from a postcard. Ended up chatting to the owner, a gruff but kind man who had a smile that could charm the birds. He shared a few stories about living in Nice and the history of the area. He even helped me with my terrible French. Could this be a romantic comedy in the making? Maybe…
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - Beach Bliss (or at least, Beach Adjacent)): The beach again! (I was missing my suitcase). Decided to get a towel and sit on the pebbles (the beach is pebbles, FYI). Sun, sea, people-watching… ah, the simple life. Managed to resist the urge to actually swim (the water looked a bit… chilly).
- Evening (7:00 PM - The Potential for a Disaster?): Decided to go to the very fancy restaurant recommended by the man at the bistro. Dressed up a little (still in clothes borrowed from the friend). Got there, the waiter speaks no English, my French is pathetic, the other diners are all immaculate and… I dropped my fork. Twice. Is this real life? Maybe disaster is my thing.
Day 4: Reflections, Resolutions, and the Return of the Luggage (Maybe)
- Morning (9:00 AM - Sleep In!): Slept in, finally! Woke up feeling surprisingly cheerful. Maybe the jet lag is finally wearing off. Maybe I’m just starting to embrace the chaos. Maybe I just got used to the bedbugs.
- Morning (10:00 AM - The Hotel Durante Revelation): Actually looked at the Hotel Durante and what it had to offer. The hotel is quite old, from what I see but the people who works here are nice.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - Last-Minute Shopping): Last-minute souvenir dash. Found an amazing artist working in Nice I wanted to support.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - Luggage Alert?): The reception called - a parcel' arrived. The suitcase! It finally arrived.
- Evening (6:00 PM - Farewell Dinner): A small dinner at the bistro I love. Maybe this is my happy place. Goodbye, Nice.
Day 5: Departure… (Finally!)
- Morning (Whenever - If I Get Out of Bed): Head home to the United Kingdom. Reflect on the chaos, the beauty, the gelato, and the fact that I'm already planning my return.
- Afternoon: Recover (from everything).
**Final Thoughts
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Unbelievable Hotel Durante Nice: Your Dream French Riviera Getaway... Maybe? FAQs (Brace Yourself!)
Alright, spill it... is this place actually "Unbelievable"?
Okay, *deep breath*. "Unbelievable"? Well, it's got a good handle on the name, let's be honest. Look, yes, the views are *stunning*. Seriously, jaw-droppingly stunning. You know, the kind that makes you want to spontaneously burst into a bad rendition of "La Vie En Rose" at 7 am. But, and there's always a but, right? It's like dating someone incredibly attractive, but they chew with their mouth open. It's a gorgeous package that's got a few... quirks. "Unbelievable" in a "I can't believe they charge that much for a croissant" kinda way, sometimes.
What's the best thing about the Durante? Like, the *absolute best*?
The balcony. Hands down. I spent so much time on that balcony. I'm not exaggerating when I say it *saved* me. Seriously, you open the doors, and BAM! The Mediterranean. The city spread out below. I'm a chronic over-thinker, and that balcony was my sanity. Every morning I'd sit out there with a tiny espresso, trying not to spill it while simultaneously staring at the sea. (Mission sometimes failed.) One time, I swear, a seagull winked at me. Or maybe I was lightheaded from the sun and the espresso. Doesn't matter. Balcony = heaven. Just...make sure you bring bug spray. The mosquitos are *vicious*.
Okay, but the rooms... what are they *really* like? The website has filtered photos, you know.
Okay, let's talk rooms. They're... generally inoffensive? Look, they're clean. The bed was comfortable enough. But the decor… oh, the decor. Picture "attempts at chic" clashing with "grandma's attic." There was a weird, almost-but-not-quite-matching set of furniture. And a lamp that, frankly, looked like it belonged in a dental office. My room had a tiny, and I mean *tiny*, bathroom that, I kid you not, had a shower curtain that aggressively clung to you while you were trying to shower. You'd think they’d upgraded by now, but hey, maybe they are holding onto the Riviera charm.
And the dreaded breakfast situation? Tell me the truth!
Breakfast. Ah, breakfast. Okay, here's the tea. The *croissants*? Amazing! Seriously. Worth the price of admission alone. Flaky, buttery, perfect. The coffee? Let's just say it's... functional. They have a continental breakfast buffet. It's basic... But. The view from the breakfast room, which is overlooking the city and sea is fantastic. You also get to watch the other guests. That's entertainment. (Note: Avoid the fruit salad. Just trust me on this one.)
The location - is it actually convenient? Or am I going to be lost in a maze of alleyways?
Location is *mostly* great. It's near the Promenade des Anglais. Close to the old town! The train station is a doable walk if you don't mind dragging your luggage uphill. But prepare for cobblestone streets. And hills. So. Many. Hills. And the traffic. Oh, the traffic. One evening, I swear, I witnessed a near-riot between a scooter and a tour bus. It was pure theatre. But overall, yes, convenient. Just pack comfortable shoes and a healthy dose of patience.
What if I have a problem? Are the staff helpful? This is important as I am an anxious traveler.
Okay, staff. This is one area where things are a little... inconsistent. Some staff members were genuinely lovely – helpful, friendly, patient with my terrible French. Others... felt like they'd seen it all. There were times I felt like asking a question was a major imposition. Like, I asked for an extra pillow once, and I swear I got *the look*. Just... the look of someone who’s dealt with *way* too many tourists. So, it's a mixed bag. Try to channel your inner zen. And definitely brush up on your "s'il vous plaît" and "merci."
About that swimming pool... they have one, right? Because the website shows a picture, and swimming is a huge part of my vacation plans.
Oh, the pool! Right. They... have a pool. It's on the roof. It's small. Really small. Like, "dip your toes and consider it a success" small. And it's crowded. Always crowded. I remember one day I tried to get in, and it was like a refugee camp of sunbathers. People were crammed in, jockeying for space, and the water was... well, let's just say chlorine isn't the sexiest of scents. Honestly, if you're a serious swimmer, the beach is a much better option. You'll have to battle the crowds and the pebbles to get in, but hey, it's worth it.
The noise level? I NEED Silence, and I'm a light sleeper.
Good luck with that. It's Nice. Noise is part of the game. You've got the traffic, the scooters (they never sleep!), the seagulls, and the occasional late-night revelry. The windows are decent, but not soundproof by any means. Bring earplugs. Possibly a white noise machine. You'll need it. I swear, one night I heard a whole conversation in Italian – through my wall. I understood nothing, but I felt like part of the family. Embrace the chaos. Or move to a monastery in the mountains.
Overall, would you recommend the Durante? Be brutally honest!
Alright, the moment of truth. Would I recommend the Durante? Hmmm... It's complicated. Part of me wants to say "Run! Run far away!" But then I remember that balcony. And the croissants. And the sheer, unadulterated *Mediterranean-ness* of the whole experience. If you're looking for a perfectly polished, luxury experience, this isn't it. But if you're after charm, a stellar view, and a taste of the Riviera... and can handle a few quirks along theRoaming Hotels
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