Situated along the central Boulevard Victor Hugo in Nice, a jewel on the glitzy Côte d’Azur, the Boscolo Exedra stands out as a chic address right in the heart of this buzzing seaside town. The Promenade des Anglais – beloved of joggers, skaters and sunbathers – is a short stroll away, giving you easy access to the warm Riviera waters, while the airport is only an 8km drive, meaning an easy start to your holiday.

Its fluid form and functional plastic furniture are part of architect Simone Micheli’s stunning design at this super-modern spa, spread across 500 sq m of the Boscolo Exedra. A true temple to wellbeing, it offers a five-star service, so maybe start with a herbal tea, while you relax and get ready for a Turkish bath, sauna, or aromatic shower. The swimming pool features a giant massage jet which cascades from a tree-like structure; while out of the water there is a range of treatments for pampering from top to toe.

You may be based in a beautiful, historic building, but the lavish rooms and suites here are achingly up to date. A pretty palette of ivory, cream, white and pink adorns the materials of light parquet, marble and wood; with floral and bourgeois motifs here and there to create a subtly decadent look. A modular design is used among the 113 rooms and suites, and among the refined touches are LCD TVs, Nespresso coffee machines and iPod speakers.

Having a concierge makes life that bit easier, and in Nice that means helping with personal shoppers, theatre tickets or new and exciting exhibitions. The stunning Riviera is just begging to be explored by sailing boat, and a short drive down the coast is the renowned Casino de Monte Carlo. You may even want to ask about booking a place at the fabled Grand Prix. Best of all though, tips on where to find the best places to eat in a city renowned for its cuisine are hard to resist.

Calabrian chef Giuseppe Mandaradoni lends his creative flair to the cooking at La Pescheria restaurant, whose Italian dishes, while peppered with modern twists, are also simple enough to allow the fresh ingredients to do the talking. The elegant setting of the dining room, lit by tall candles, is complemented by views into the kitchen; but you can also choose to sit beside the olive tree in the cosy winter garden. Though you may want to start your night with an aperitif at the superb garden terrace of the Genesi Bar.