Few destinations encapsulate Riviera chic quite like Nice. Terracotta rooftops, sapphire water, and a promenade beloved since the Belle Époque form the canvas; Michelin-starred dining, haute couture shopping, and discreet five-star service add the brushstrokes. Flying in with AirX unlocks the Côte d’Azur at its most effortless, gliding past commercial queues into a private lounge where chilled rosé and coastline views set the tone. Let this guide be your co-pilot to the city’s finest luxury accommodation, experiences, and the seamless aircraft options that whisk you here in style.
Why Luxury Travellers Choose Nice
Nice offers a rare fusion: a city steeped in history and tradition with serious culture and the easy glamour often associated with nearby Monaco or Cannes. Forbes lists the Baie des Anges among Europe’s most desirable stretches of shoreline, and the city’s calendar is dotted with headline events, from February’s flower-strewn Carnival to July’s Jazz Festival, each luring yachts and private jets in equal measure. The promise? Sunshine 300 days a year, a palm-lined runway seven kilometres from the old town, and a restaurant scene where three-course lunches segue into sunset champagne cruises. No wonder the global elite file it under “repeat destination.”
Where to Stay, Dine & Immerse Yourself in Culture
Top Luxury Hotels in Nice
A Riviera landmark, Hotel Le Negresco is a living museum featuring original artworks and antique furnishings that reflect five centuries of French history. Set directly on the Promenade des Anglais, it boasts sea-facing dome suites that offer sweeping views of the Baie des Anges. The blend of historic charm and five-star service makes this a favourite among dignitaries and creatives alike.
- Prices range from €500 to €2,700 per night
- 7 km from LFMN / 32 km from LFMD
Hyatt Regency Palais de la Méditerranée
This Art-Deco gem stands proudly on the seafront and is known for its grand façade and opulent interiors. Guests enjoy both an indoor and outdoor pool, many rooms with balconies overlooking the Mediterranean, and refined dining options.
- Prices during the summer season range between €560 and €1,260
- 6 km from LFMN / 31 km from LFMD
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d’Antibes
An enduring symbol of French luxury, this iconic property features a Dior Spa, cliff-edge infinity pool, and private pontoons for yacht access. Set among pine trees and perched above the sea, it has long hosted royalty and celebrities.
- Prices begin at €1,500 per night and peak at €5,000 during high season
- 20 km from both airports
*Indicative summer rates apply; suites and villa buy-outs may command higher pricing.
Housed in a restored 19th-century palace, the Anantara Plaza exudes classic elegance with a modern twist. Its crown jewel is the rooftop bar and restaurant, offering panoramic views that stretch from the harbour to the hills. Interiors blend period architecture with contemporary comfort.
- Rooms start from €320 per night
- 8 km from LFMN / 33 km from LFMD
Gourmet Dining In Nice
Housed within the storied Hotel Le Negresco, this Michelin-starred restaurant is a masterclass in classical French cuisine with a Provençal twist. Diners are enveloped by the ambience of 18th-century chandeliers, period wood panelling, and impeccable service. The tasting menus celebrate local produce, think Mediterranean seafood and heirloom vegetables paired with rare vintages from the hotel’s acclaimed cellar.
Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen brings his South African heritage to the Riviera in this intimate, 24-seat Michelin-starred restaurant. Each dish reflects a deep respect for storytelling and seasonal ingredients, with tasting menus that might feature springbok, biltong-spiced jus, and local lavender honey. The space itself is warm and elegant, lit by candles and curated with personal antiques.
Holding two Michelin stars, Flaveur is run by the Tourteaux brothers, who blend their Niçoise upbringing with global inspirations. The result? Daring, elegant plates like langoustine with passion-fruit glaze or confit duck with kaffir lime and cassava. The ambience is minimalist but rich in texture, complementing the vibrant, boundary-pushing cuisine. It’s an essential stop for gourmands seeking innovation anchored in regional soul.
Art, Culture & Heritage
From the olive‑shaded Musée Matisse in Cimiez to the jewel‑bright canvases of the Musée Marc Chagall just downhill, Nice’s artistic circuit is compact yet world‑class. A quick ride back to the promenade brings you to Villa Masséna, a Belle Époque mansion whose gilded rooms and landscaped gardens chart the city’s leap from fishing village to Riviera hotspot.
Afterwards, lose yourself in the ochre lanes of Vieux Nice, where perfumers, olive‑wood ateliers, and the riotous Cours Saleya Flower Market keep the senses humming.
When dusk falls, the baroque dome of the Opéra de Nice hosts Puccini arias, modern ballets, and winter galas, proof that culture here doesn’t clock off when the sun sets.
The Most Exclusive Experiences in Nice
- Helicopter interlude: Swap the A8 traffic for a seven-minute Monacair hop to Monte-Carlo (€195 pp), complete with 180° cabin views and chauffeur transfer.
- Yacht day-charter: From Port Lympia, a 20-metre crewed motor yacht runs roughly $6,000 per day in summer, sundowners off Cap-Ferrat included.
- Private perfume atelier in Grasse: Craft a bespoke 90 ml fragrance during a two-hour masterclass at Fragonard’s historic factory.
- Luxury shopping in Nice: Rue Paradis and Avenue de Verdun, known locally as the “Golden Triangle”, house flagships from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Hermès; personal-shopper appointments may be arranged through your hotel’s concierge.
Need more luxury things to do in Nice? Consider a sunrise e-foil lesson off Villefranche or a Sommelier-led vertical tasting at Château de Crémat in the hills behind town.
Unmissable Annual Events in Nice
Nice Carnival (mid‑February – early March). Illuminated flower performances sweep along Place Masséna – secure private box seating so you enjoy the confetti of petals without the crowds.
Monaco Grand Prix (late May). The principality’s harbour becomes a floating grandstand as super‑yachts double as suites; helicopter transfers place you trackside in under ten minutes.
Cannes Film Festival (mid‑ to late May). Red‑carpet premieres ripple from the Palais des Festivals, followed by villa soirées that light up Cap d’Antibes and Mougins.
Nice Jazz Festival (mid‑July). Evenings at the open‑air Théâtre de Verdure deliver world‑class sets; VIP passes grant fast‑track entry and backstage lounge access.
Private‑Jet Terminals & Elite Arrival
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN): the AirX Gateway
Just seven kilometres from the Old Town, LFMN’s dedicated Business Aviation Terminal treats AirX guests to kerb‑to‑cabin transfers in under 15 minutes. Expect private immigration desks, discreet security, and a Signature lounge with Riviera views, locally roasted coffee, and high‑speed Wi‑Fi.
Cannes Mandelieu Airport (LFMD): private‑only tranquillity
Thirty kilometres west of Nice, LFMD is reserved exclusively for business aviation – no commercial queues, no slot congestion. Step into Sky Valet’s rooftop heli‑pads, carbon‑neutral hangars, and day‑suites ideal for pre‑meeting prep before a seven‑minute hop to Monaco or Saint‑Tropez.
Private-Jet Routes & AirX Aircraft Options
London - Nice
Typical jet: AirX Legacy 600 or comparable heavy jet (13 pax).
Flight time: ~1 hour 40 minutes.
On‑board perks: Club‑seat dining with a Riviera‑inspired tasting menu, high‑speed Wi‑Fi, and a dedicated flight attendant.
Geneva - Nice
Typical jet: AirX Challenger 850 or comparable heavy jet (12-16 pax).
Flight time: About 45 minutes.
On‑board perks: Champagne poured at altitude, seamless sky‑to‑shoreside baggage handling.
Dubai - Nice
Typical jet: Lineage 1000 or similar long‑range jet (19 pax).
Flight time: Roughly 6 hours.
On‑board perks: Full‑height bedroom suite, stand‑up shower, separate lounge, and a chef‑curated fine‑dining menu to ease jet lag.
New York - Nice
Typical jet: VIP airliner such as a Boeing BBJ or Airbus A340 VIP.
Flight time: Around 9 hours.
On‑board perks: Twin‑zone lounges with lie‑flat beds, fine wines selected by an on‑board sommelier, and private suites for uninterrupted rest.
All AirX charters to Nice can include bespoke ground transfers, door-to-door luggage handling, or boutique offerings, subject to availability.
Final Approach
From its Michelin-starred tables to its pebble-stone beach clubs, Nice rewards travellers who favour substance over show. Pair those riches with AirX’s tailored jet service, and you have a Riviera escape where every step, on the tarmac, on the Promenade, or on the deck of a waiting yacht, feels choreographed to you alone.
Ready for some refreshing Côte d’Azur sunshine? Enquire now for your bespoke journey to Nice with AirX.
