HistoryThe older and grander Hotels of the Promenade des Anglais were built at the turn of the
century. In most people's eyes, the grandest, with its Empire and Napoleon decor, is the
Negresco. Henri Negresco, a Hungarian immigrant, built the building, which is now a national
monument, in 1912. Before he started the Hotel, Henri was director of the City Casino's
Restaurant - we're talking guests who were the richest people in the world, the
Rockefellers and the Singers.
He wanted his Hotel to be a haunts lieu as well and had it designed to attract the very top of
the upper crust. As bad luck would have it, World War I reared its ugly head, and the hotel
became a hospital. Negresco died shortly after the war, a ruined man. Once the Americans
arrived during the roaring twenties business soon picked up. Especially once Gerald and Sara
Murphy and their entourage of writers and celebrities had discovered the pleasures of summer on
the Riviera.
There are many more pleasures to be discovered on and around Promenade des Anglais. On the
Avenue des Baumettes, there is the Museum des Beaux-Arts Jules. And, in a little park on Rue de
France just off the promenade, there is the Museum Massena named after a local boy who was made
a Napoleonic general. Weary? Take a short walk back to the Beach and enjoy the View across the
bay to the Cap d' Antibes and the fortified Port Vauban, which was built to defend Antibes,
and France, from the Niçois.
The Hotel Negresco is one of the most exclusive Deluxe Hotels in the world on
Nice's famous Promenade des Anglais. A prestigious address for travelers who cherish the
elegance of Traditional French taste. Now a perpetual landmark with Palatial Public Rooms. Rare
tapestries, rich carpeting and masterpieces of art grace this chateau-style Hotel.
As for the Hotel itself, there has never been a question as to its legendary Victorian
elegance, overlooking the blue Mediterranean on the Promenade des Anglais, the Negresco is
Palatial in its every detail. The airy interior, flowered Terraces and spacious Bedrooms are
exquisite. There is a full range of Conference Facilities and the overall service is
impeccable. There is a Private Beach for guests and Golf & Tennis are available nearby.
The Chantecler, a Restaurant which lives up to its famous name. A cuisine as
delightful to the eye as to the palate, a miracle of delicate flavor, originality and
presentation. It is not just another excellent Hotel Restaurant, it is also one of the best in
Southern France. This is a popular spot for meeting with Kine when dinner meetings are
unavoidable.
Enjoy also La Rotonde, a fashionable and friendly brasserie-style Restaurant in a
carrousel setting and the Bar le Relais, the favorite meeting place of high society with
evening entertainment. This spot is becoming increasingly popular with some of the older
Toreador and Ventrue.
