Hôtel du Couvent’s long-awaited restoration is proof that the spirit of the French Riviera is truly well, and alive.
A nunnery in the 1600s, The Couvent has been meticulously restored four centuries later to form the 88-key Hôtel du Couvent. Founder Valery – whose portfolio spans the iconic Les Roches Rouges and La Pigalle in Paris – has gone above and beyond to preserve the building’s legacy.
The Vibe
Perched atop a hillside overlooking the sea, Hôtel du Couvent is a 17th-century sanctuary spread across four buildings. You can still picture what it was like in its heyday some 400 years ago – a resplendent garden and refuge for the nuns who once lived here. Navigating the narrow streets of Nice’s old town (Vieux Nice) by car was no easy feat. We made the ascent with caution, heading upwards towards the hotel through the city’s winding alleyways.
The Rooms and Suites
Decorated by the interior design firm Festen Architecture, each room has been restored to maintain elements of the building’s original design features. Eighty-eight rooms and suites are furnished with a distinctive mix of bespoke pieces and period antiques against a colour palette of earthy tones and neutrals. Striking and soothing all at once, the result is an elegant mix of the Riviera’s insouciance and haute design. Of the 18 suites, some come with full kitchens and the option of a private chef with butler service – ideal for stays with extended family and groups. Two of the best? Le Jardin Marguerite suite with a private garden and outdoor shower, and Terrasses du Cloître suite with a large sundeck overlooking the historic cloister and orange tree-filled courtyard.
The Food + Drink
The culinary offering at Hôtel du Couvent showcases an authentic side to Nice. Hyper-seasonal and hyper-local, the fruit and vegetables are sourced from the hotel’s own farm in Touët-sur-Var, which supplies its kitchen with seasonal produce, fruit and eggs from its 250 hens. For a fairly condensed building, there are a surprising number of dining options. Enjoy leisurely lunches and long, slow dinners at the charming cloistered terrace, or take a stroll through the hotel’s fragrant gardens to the more casual Guinguette café. Check out the hotel restaurant Rue des Serruriers nearby: this charming little bistro will have you feeling like a local. Wake up early to be first at the on-site boulangerie, set in the convent’s old bakery. Freshly baked bread is made on-site with milled flour, in keeping with convent tradition.
The Wellness
Continuing to convince us that the old days were the best days, Hôtel du Couvent has adopted a strictly Roman approach to wellness. The Roman Baths, for one, incorporate healing, geothermal waters and plenty of physical activity, which are all not to be missed during your stay – especially as they are a tribute to the remains of the Roman baths of Cimiez in Nice. Enjoy a few laps in the indoor swimming pool before a tailor-made massage; bespoke treatments use soothing essential oils carefully selected by Hôtel du Couvent’s resident herbalist. The Roman Baths also feature a separate studio dedicated to exercise, dance and movement – plus a suite of luxury treatment rooms. In keeping with the history of the convent, the hotel’s centuries-old herbalist shop – founded by the nuns – has been brought back to life in the central cloister, led by local herbalist Gregory Unrein from Nice Organic. Expect personalised advice and custom-made remedies, as well as healing teas using fresh herbs from the garden.
The Little Extras
Within the convent’s walls, 2.5 acres of gardens lie hidden from the outside world. Restored and replanted to reconnect the building with the land that feeds it, over 300 species – olive and lemon trees, herbs and flowers – naturally scent the air, punctuated by the sound of water trickling down the hill to The Roman Baths. Be sure to make the climb to the striking 20-metre outdoor lap pool where you’ll overlook the whole of Nice as you do your laps, making for a very contemplative swim.
The To-Do List
If you can peel yourself away from the hotel, head out for a walk around Nice’s picturesque old town. We visited the antiques market, which was full of trinkets, clothing and stylish vintage pieces that could become future heirlooms. On Saturday mornings, Hôtel du Couvent opens its courtyard to a local market, where guests and locals alike can stock up on produce from farmers in Nice and the surrounding region.
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