Hotel du Couvent, A Luxury Hotel Collection
France
Hotel du Couvent, A Luxury Hotel Collection
1 rue Honoré Ugo, 06300 Nice, France
www.hotelducouvent.com
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
PERSEUS GROUP, owned by Valéry Grégo
Shareholders
Privately owned by Valéry Grégo
Date of Creation
Hôtel du Couvent opened June 2024
Hotel General Manager:
Mrs Myriam Kournaf-Lambert. GM 2L Collection; GM with the Francis Ford Coppola Properties in Guatemala before Hotel du Couvent, Nice
Hotel Positioning
Hôtel du Couvent, a 420-year-old nunnery turned five-star sanctuary
Hotel du Couvent, A Luxury Hotel Collection
History & Story
Nestled in the heart of Nice, the convent was built by the Clarisses in 1604, then occupied by the Visitandines from 1803 to the early 1980s. The Visitation Convent is a place of tranquillity and reflection but it’s also where individuals and families, from all backgrounds and destinations, cross paths, come for herbalist treatments or buy fresh bread. At Hôtel du Couvent, while the nun’s habit has now become the hotelier’s uniform, the building maintains its core vocation: to offer a calm and tranquil haven, but also a place to stay and exchange, where people are welcomed with kindness and a smile.
Date Renovation
Four centuries later, in a project that lasted ten years, the three buildings of this sanctuary have been lovingly restored, stone by stone, piece by piece, under the keen eye of Perseus founder Valéry Grégo. In collaboration with Studio Mumbai and Studio Méditerranée for the architecture, and Festen Architecture for the interior design, the teams have restored the windows, floors and wooden features to their former glory. In addition, wood, hemp and lime were used to create a fourth building, just like we imagined the nuns would have built it: with architecture that stands the test of time.
Date Added Extansions
2024
Main Strengths, Special Touch
A haven of peace in the heart of the old and historical Nice standing on 2,5 acres of gardens, and offering unique experiences such as Roman Thermal Baths, a Herbalist, Farm to Table cuisine, a Movement Studio.
A Hotel that preserved and enhanced the traditions of the sisters: a boulangerie and herbalist services are available on property.
Location
The old city of Nice is the most visited , historical and picturesque district of the city. With a strong Italian influence, full of lights, flavors and colors. Beautiful old churches, the Opera, the little restaurants on the squares, along with the artists galleries offer a delightful taste of the destination. Walking through the buzzing streets takes you back in time to embrace the Mediterranean way of life.
Key sites
• Museums (second city in France with most museums after Paris) : the Opera, Musée Matisse, Musée Picasso, Fondation Maeght, Palais Lascaris…
• Site visites : Villa Ephrussie de Rotschild , Villa Kerylos, the Eileen Gray museum…
• Food tour in the old town of Nice – the flower market is a must-see!
• Visite of medieval villages : Eze, St-Paul-de-Vence,
• Nautic activities: boat tour, beach clubs, padel, jet-ski…
Fun Facts
We welcome our guests with our homemade madeleines, made with the eggs of our farm, and baked in the lobby which gives a tempting smell, at your first steps into Hôtel du Couvent
Children’s Corner
A Kids club is available from 3 to 10 years old
Includes a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities: cooking class, bakery class, pastry class, herbalist initiation…
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites: 19 suites including 6 signature suites.
9 Suites du Couvent / 45-55 sqm2 / views : gardens, cloister, hills
2 Suites du Noviciat / 68 sqm2 / views : hills, roofs and sea
2 Terrasses du Cloître / 70 sqm2 / private terrace / views : orange trees courtyard & cloister
1 Terrasse du Cloître-Cuisine / 91 sqm2 / terrace & kitchen / view : orange trees courtyard
1 Le Séchoir / 81 sqm2 / private lift with direct access in the suite / view : sea and roofs
1 La Tour #1 / 104 sqm2 / with a fully equipped kitchen / view : cloisterPresidential Suite: Top floor, 1614sqft, full kitchen, 12 people dinning area, living room, whirpool, walking closet
1 Le Chapitre 1# / 115 sqm2 / view : cloister
1 Le Jardin Marguerite 1# / 145 sqm2 / 2 bedrooms suite / 2 private gardens / a fully equipped kitchen / view : cloister & orange trees courtyard
1 La Très Grande Suite 1# / 170 sqm2 / fully equipped kitchen / connecting with Le Chapitre / view : sea & roofs
• Number of Luxury rooms: 69 rooms (various views)
3 Clarisses / average size of 23 sqm2 / queen beds
7 Colettines / average size of 32 sqm2 / queen bed
23 Capucines / average size of 32 sqm2 / king bed
24 Visitandines / average size of 40 sqm2 / king bed
12 Visitandines with balcony / average size of 40 sqm2 / king bed / private balcony
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 88 keys
Restaurants & Bars
All our F&B outlets are supervised by Chef Thomas Vételé. Fruits, vegetables and eggs from the hotel farm in Touët-sur-Var, bread freshly made at the hotel bakery, understated but beautifully executed dishes, herbs from the garden, the convent’s homemade preserves. Perfect products, perfectly cooked, natural wines, understated service, far from the ceremony often associated with gourmet cuisine. Each product is carefully sourced to ensure the hotel has a positive impact on its environment and the local community. Mediterranean & local cuisine.
• Le Restaurant du Couvent : 7/7 all-day-dining restaurant, located in the Cloister (historical building) with a terrace and a spacious indoor room.
• La Guinguette (summer restaurant): Outdoor restaurant located in our gardens, for lunch and aperitif.
• Le Bistrot des Serruriers: Authentic bistrot, outside of the hotel and facing the old town.
• Le Bar: 7/7 Serving exclusive creations from our team of mixologists.
Wellness
• 2 outdoor heated swimming-pools in our gardens, overlooking the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
• The Roman Baths
2 indoor heated swimming-pools + thermal bath and pool circuit (frigidarium, tepidarium, caldarium and natatio) each with a specific temperature and role.
Dedicated treatment area with tailor-made massages using essential oils selected by the Hôtel du Couvent herbalist, and personalised facial treatments using natural products from carefully selected brands. 2 singles cabins and 1 double cabin.
• The Movement Studio
A space dedicated to movement. All classes are with unlimited access and include in the price of the room.– dance and floor-barre exercises, intensive functional workouts, meditation, gymnastics, yoga, etc.
Corporate & Celebrations events
• Cultural Center :
1 plenary room / 150m2 / 100 pax theatre
4 meeting rooms / from 30 to 45m2 / 10 to 25 pax
• Cultural Restaurant :
1 banquet hall / up to 50 pax and 80 pax for cocktail
• Buy-out possible
• Incentives, seminars, board meetings, shareholders meetings, corporate events, product launches, celebrations, team-buildings, weddings
Extra Notables Features
• Movie theater in the gardens
• Herbalist’s shop
• Library
• 2,5 acres of gardens in the heart of the old town.
• Bakery
• Private beach (partnership) : Le Galet
Hotel and Restaurant Awards
N/A
Number of Employees
220 to 280 employees