In the heart of the famous Promenade des Anglais , lined with palm trees, stands the Hotel West End , an establishment whose history is intrinsically linked to that of Nice and the rise of tourism on the French Riviera. Long before the hustle and bustle we know today, this iconic hotel witnessed the city's evolution, welcoming a prestigious clientele from its very beginnings.

First steps: the Victoria Hotel

It was in the mid-19th century that Nice became aware of the importance of tourism to its economy. Wealthy English tourists, escaping the harshness of their winters, were the first to flock there, soon followed by Russian and American visitors. This demanding clientele, including royalty and nobility, sought luxury and comfort. In the mid-19th century, the entrepreneur César Gilly acquired a 5,000 m² plot of land on the Bay of Angels. The following year, in 1854, the Hotel Victoria was built. At that time, it consisted of a raised ground floor and three upper floors.

From the Hotel de Rome to the West End Hotel

The hotel's fortunes took a turn in 1867. After a devastating fire, it was completely restored and renamed the Hôtel de Rome. Around 1885, it finally adopted its current name: the West End. Shortly thereafter, a prominent figure became the hotel's owner: Victor Masséna Essling, grandson of the Marshal of France. His villa, now the renowned Masséna Museum, being nearby, prompted him to undertake significant renovations, including the addition of a fourth floor. These modifications further cemented the hotel's Belle Époque style, which had recently flourished in France and which the establishment has carefully preserved.

The West End Hotel today: between history and modernity

In the late 1980s, the West End Hotel underwent another phase of modernization. The hotel was raised by two additional floors, bringing the total to six. It was also during this period, in the 1990s, that the conservatory housing the Le Siècle restaurant was built.

Today, the Hotel West End is a 4-star hotel, a member of the 3A Hotels La Collection group. It offers 121 rooms where modern comfort blends harmoniously with old-world charm. The Hotel West End is more than just a place to stay; it is an integral part of Nice's history, a place where past and present meet to offer a unique experience on the French Riviera!