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Imagine a Merchant-Ivory film set in Nice. Dame Judy Dench plays a classy matriarch that reigns at her Belle Époque hotel and restaurant. Finely forged iron balconies decorate the intricate, ornamental facade, and chandeliers dress up the lobby.
If your inclination is to leave the theater (or if you've fallen asleep), please proceed to the next listing. If, however, you salivate at the thought of affordable old world charm, the Hotel Excelsior might just be for you.
In the real-life version of this film, the matriarch is played by one Madame Blettery, a hospitable and genteel French lady who's run the Excelsior for several decades. She has successfully preserved the hotel's beautiful 19th-century style, from the light fixtures to the molded ceilings. Calm creams and pinks establish a pleasing color palette.
Rooms are newly renovated with new paint, bedding, carpeting, and furniture. Some have brand new modern bathrooms, and many have individual balconies (ask ahead). These come in three classes: Classic, Classic + (which are larger), and Prestige rooms (which have nicer bathrooms). All rooms are bright, warm, and comfortable.
In addition to the regular rooms, the Excelsior has two furnished apartments that sleep three to four with wireless Internet access and decked-out kitchens (stove, oven, fridge, microwave, toaster, and coffeemaker).
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