I don't do really expensive hotels when I am coming in pre-cruise or staying a day or two after. Years ago I was in Nice with a group of ladies and we went to the Negresco for drinks before or after dinner, and I found it stuffy. Could have been that they just didn't want a bunch of women hanging around, but we did not feel welcome, and we were dressed to the "code" that seemed prevalent.

I have stayed three times at LaPerouse, a small hotel up the hill from the Old Town, just next to that elevator that takes you to the top of the hill where there's a beautiful park, but this time I think I'll try either Le Grimaldi or the Beau Rivage if we stay over.