Nice or Monaco

[bfsr9]

If I take a round trip Monaco cruise, should I plan to stay a few days before the cruise starts. Should I stay in Nice or Monaco and which hotels?

[UKBayern]

Monaco is very small, built-up and congested and most of all, extremely expensive. I was disappointed when I was there, I somehow had expected something else, more swanky and posh. Nice is a big city, but it has a distinctive French charm. It is also the centre of the region, with nice shops and good transportation. Remember that there is a wonderful train service along the coast, the TER, which connects Nice and Monte Carlo with a train every half hour, travel time 33 minutes, price EUR 3,40. Since Nice is more in the centre of the region, it would probably be handy to explore from there. For example, it is only 27 minutes to get to Antibes, which is wonderful.

You don't mention when you are going to be there. Please note that the coast road gets very congested in summer, not ideal for driving yourself.

[bfsr9]

I plan on a trip in August 2011. I will be flying in from Madrid. I thought I would stay two or three days in Monaco or Nice before the crusie departs from Monaco. The cruise leaves 11pm at night so I have to consider what I will be doing up until that time of night. The cruise is Monaco to Monaco and visits parts of Spain and the French Riviera. Thanks for your info so far. Any hotel suggestions?

[John Bull]

If I take a round trip Monaco cruise, should I plan to stay a few days before the cruise starts. Should I stay in Nice or Monaco and which hotels?

 

As Bayern's post, Monaco is silly money.

I made the mistake of being a real cheapskate & staying just over the Italian border at cheap Ventemiglia. Its cheap cos its a dump.

Nice is ideally situated, but the centre/seafront will be expensive.

Antibes is a super place, don't know if its too expensive.

Anywhere along the coast & handy to the railway would be a good base.

John Bull

[yarramar]

Take a look at hotels in Eze. The views of the mediterranean are to die for and the prices are way better than in Nice. It is a short trip to either Nice or Monaco

[BiggiB]

Sorry for all the bad experiences the above repliers had.

There are very nice and affordable hotels in and around Monaco, as well as expensive ones - just like in Nice or in Cannes.

Check the "Novotel", the" Ambassador" or the "Columbus" in Monaco for good summer rates, or the Marriott Riviera Cap d'Ail just outside the city border. Monaco is the easiest town to stay at along the Côte d'Azur in summertime and you may well profit of all the wonderful concerts and cultural events happening in July and August (concerts at the Prince's Palace, ballet performances on the Casino terraces, a lot of summer clubs and lounges and music places along the sea side for al-fresco-dining and enjoyment. And within easy reach of all places of interested from San Remo to Cannes by public transport.

[samavarcruiser]

I love Monaco, many hotels, you can find many suggestions on Trip Advisor