The Prix Versailles has just honored a jewel from Nice, a former 17th-century convent, thus elevating Nice among the global elite of hospitality. A showcase of centuries-old history, merging restored heritage and contemporary excellence, this place transcends ordinary hospitality. Its sublime transformation enhances every architectural detail, while rehabilitating the unique monastic character of yesteryear, creating a unique experience. The selection of the Prix Versailles primarily distinguishes bold identity and respect for local genius, which carries international renown. This recognition also champions the art of refinement and the quest for serenity inherent to this sanctuary, now a beacon of exceptional hospitality.
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The recognition of the Prix Versailles for an exceptional hotel in Nice
The Prix Versailles, a global reference in the field of hotel architecture, shines a light on renovated or newly opened masterpieces. The 2025 edition honors sixteen establishments, with a distinctive mention for an old convent in Nice, transfigured into an exceptional hotel. This list illustrates the exaltation of heritage and design at their peak, converging towards unprecedented hospitality experiences.
This ranking values the fruitful encounter between heritage know-how and contemporary design while paying tribute to the authenticity of the places. Alongside Indian palaces and Saudi island pearls, the old town of Nice boldly enters the global conversation, proving that southern France excels in reinventing its built heritage.
A masterful restoration: from monastic life to luxury hotel
In the heart of Old Nice, the Sainte-Catherine convent, founded in 1604, is reborn after a decade of renovation orchestrated by Valéry Grégo, a pillar of the Perseus group. The establishment, listed in the heritage of Historical Monuments since 1989, reflects a scrupulous respect for the original spirit, enhanced by a contemporary hospitality vision. The ambitious project creates a dialogue between the memory of the stones and five-star comfort, resulting in a seductive and rare harmony.
The former monastic structure imposes a distinctive atmosphere, where every detail resonates with a rediscovered authenticity. The spaces — restaurant in the former refectory, bakery, and herbal shop returning to their ancestral uses — contribute to this sensory experience, unique on the Côte d’Azur.
Design, heritage, and the quest for tranquility
With its lush park of 10,000 m² away from urban agitation, the Hôtel du Couvent cultivates an atmosphere as peaceful as it is timeless. Here, there is no showiness: luxury is expressed in discretion and the preservation of an unchanging environment. Visitors in search of authenticity pass through the park’s gate to immerse themselves, for a moment or longer, in the slow rhythm of yesteryear: everything, from the swimming lane to the interior layout, accompanies the promise of tranquility. *In Nice, this address sparks enthusiasm that far exceeds the usual tourist sphere*.
The international resonance and France in the spotlight
The recognition of the Nice convent by the Prix Versailles propels the city among the global architectural hotel powerhouses, alongside Dubai, Beijing, and Rome. The Nice hotel stands alongside iconic establishments on the list of winners, revealing the avant-gardism of French hospitality. This prestigious selection also brings forth other singular destinations, from the lagoon of Sète to the abandoned villages of Cantal.
Choosing the Hôtel du Couvent in Nice means opting for a stay where memory, calm, and aesthetics converge. This prize revitalizes the Nice hotel scene, already strong in confidential addresses or adults-only, and subtly competes with the most exclusive private villas in Europe.
A reimagined heritage for contemporary hospitality
The metamorphosis of this 17th-century convent substitutes solemnity for worldliness, while awakening an enthusiasm among connoisseurs for living heritage. Few hotels manage to combine history, serenity, and aesthetic innovation. This Nice incarnation, driven by a project that is both respectful and bold, now inspires the international scene and legitimizes France as a welcoming land for unprecedented hospitality experiences, akin to the Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch.
