The BEST WESTERN PLUS Hotel Massena Nice is situated in an ornate Belle Epoque building from the early 20th century. The property has run as a hotel since it opened, and it joined the BEST WESTERN PLUS group in 2016. Interiors are less traditional: A modern lobby pairs white floors and walls with purple and red armchairs, an eclectic array of modern lighting, and large format wall art reminiscent of Matisse. The bar is chic, with black-and-white decor and a vaguely American theme that includes black-and-white photographs of famous Hollywood stars and NYC landmarks. Guests tend to be leisure travelers who want to be close to Nice sights, though business guests stay here, too.

Hotel Massena is situated on a busy corner in the heart of Nice, about a three-minute walk from the Promenade du Paillon and a five-minute walk to the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais and the beach. Guests can walk to Cours Saleya market and Old Town (Vieille Ville) in under 10 minutes. Plenty of shops are within a two-minute walk, including Galeries Lafayette Nice. Other attractions within walking distance include the Nice Opera (seven minutes), Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (10 minutes), Musee d'Art et d'Histoire Palais Massena (13 minutes), and Place Garibaldi (11 minutes).

For sights farther out, the Massena Tram Station (T1) is a two-minute walk from the hotel, and several buses are within a five-minute walk. Nice-Ville, the main train station, is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel. Guests can take public transportation to the Musee Matisse (12 minutes), Musee National Marc Chagall (also 12 minutes), and Nice Cote d’ Azur Airport (an hour). The hotel can arrange transportation and valet parking is available, but it costs an extra fee. 

Rooms are contemporary and tasteful, if generic, and have wood or carpeted floors, gray or white walls, and black furnishings. Red-and-orange bed runners and drapes add dashes of color, and black-and-white framed photos of movie stars hang over the beds. Rooms have air-conditioning, Simmons mattresses, desks, safes, and flat-screen TVs. They also include tea- and coffee-making facilities and mini-fridges, and irons and ironing boards are available on request. Entry-level rooms are tiny -- the Traditional Single is only 150 square feet (14 square meters) and the Traditional Double measures 160 to 215 square feet (15 to 20 square meters). Bathrooms may be fully tiled in beige and black, though some renovated bathrooms are chicer and more modern, with light-gray walls and floors plus walk-in showers or shower/tub combos

The hotel has an on-site, 24-hour bar and lounge, a breakfast room, and four meeting rooms, but no restaurant or wellness facilities. A variety of breakfast options are available for a fee, including a buffet with hot and cold fare such as eggs, ham, cheese, and baked goods. Room service is available into the evening and food is available from the nearby Brasserie Gioffredo. The hotel offers discounted rates at Ruhl beach, a private beach about a nine-minute walk from the hotel. 

The front desk is 24 hours, and a concierge can make reservations or arrange for transportation, tours, childcare, and laundry/dry cleaning. Other services include on-site valet garage parking for a fee. There's also a computer and printer for guest use, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Pets are allowed as well, for a fee