TWO YEARS AFTER ITS OPENING, THE ANANTARA PLAZA NICE HOTEL KEEPS RISING (France)
The Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel is firmly rooted in the dynamic that the City of Angels has been developing over the last few years, and has chosen to combine the experiential DNA of the Anantara brand with the sometimes little-known gems of the Côte d'Azur destination
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TWO YEARS AFTER ITS OPENING, THE ANANTARA PLAZA NICE HOTEL KEEPS RISING (France)
The Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel is firmly rooted in the dynamic that the City of Angels has been developing over the last few years, and has chosen to combine the experiential DNA of the Anantara brand with the sometimes little-known gems of the Côte d'Azur destination
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Catégorie : Europe - France - Expériences exclusives
- Quoi de neuf ?
Article rédigé par Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine le 28-01-2025
Gaudéric Harang has been at the helm of the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel since late 2023 Crédit photo © Vanessa Guerrier-Buisine From the rooftop of the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, an imposing panorama stretches as far as the eye can see: the red and ochre roofs of old Nice, dotted with bell towers, intertwine with the greenery of the Albert 1er garden. The hill of the Château proudly dominates the horizon, while the immaculate Baie des Anges stretches until it merges with the infinite sky. In this privileged setting, where every detail invites contemplation, the hotel becomes much more than a place to stay: it becomes a jewel case suspended above the Mediterranean.
Since its inauguration in December 2022, the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel has established itself as a major new player in the luxury hotel industry on the French Riviera. Gaudéric Harang, the hotel's General Manager, appointed at the end of 2023, takes stock of his first year in business. He talks enthusiastically about the initiatives that punctuate the daily life of this exceptional hotel, as well as the projects under development to appeal to both local and international clientele.
After an exceptional season, with occupancy rates fluctuating between 85 and 95% and an ADR of around 750 euros for its 151 rooms and suites, the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel can pride itself on having captured the attention of a demanding clientele. As Gaudéric Harang confides, this year has been marked by the establishment of a solid base: "We had to structure our operations well, and harmonize local specificities, those of the luxury hotel industry and Anantara standards. Now we're entering a phase where we can focus on creative initiatives and new experiences."
Unique experiences to explore the destination
One of the signatures of the Anantara brand is its experiential approach, which enhances the richness of destinations. In Nice, the hotel draws inspiration from local culture to offer exceptional moments.
One of the first experiences created by Gaudéric Harang and his teams met with great success. The World of Silence, an experience imagined for lovers of unique sensations, puts the spotlight on apnea, a discipline both technical and meditative, much practiced on the French Riviera and particularly in the Pelagos sanctuary. "Freediving is an activity close to my heart, and the Côte d'Azur is the Mecca of the sport", explains Gaudéric Harang. Supervised by world champions such as Arthur Guérin-Boëri, participants discover the absolute calm of the ocean depths off Cap Ferrat.
One of the flagship projects currently under development is the Designer Dining concept, already famous in the Group's resorts. Although the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel is not a resort in the traditional sense, it capitalizes on the attractions of the French Riviera destination to revisit the concept. A perfect playground for Guillaume Stalins, Marketing and Communications Director, who takes pleasure in forging local partnerships and crafting unique experiences. The idea? To organize immersive dinners in iconic venues such as the Nice Opera House, where customers can discover the history behind the scenes. “ It's the very essence of luxury: offering experiences you can't get anywhere else, " sums up Guillaume Stalins.
Attracting local visitors and boosting the winter season
Gaudéric Harang also wants to create new events. In this vein, he has launched the yoga and breakfast experience. On the program: an hour of pilates on the rooftop with a breathtaking view over the Baie des Anges, followed by a healthy breakfast, then a session of sound yoga. This unique combination illustrates the dynamic manager's desire to combine wellness with sport. The event quickly won over both locals and travelers staying at the hotel.
Although Nice has historically been a winter destination, the manager has a clear objective: to attract locals and travellers all year round. A goal in harmony with Nice's 2021 UNESCO listing as a “riviera winter resort city”. To achieve this, the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel is counting on a number of adapted offers, such as its recent partnership to create Cristal d'Hiver by Louis Roederer. Set up on the hotel's terrace, this ephemeral venue combines a festive atmosphere with a breathtaking view of Nice. Other initiatives are in the pipeline, including a patisserie in the lobby, due to open in 2025, offering refined pastries at the counter as well as an on-the-go and high tea concept in a chic yet accessible setting.
With initiatives such as these, the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel goes beyond simple accommodation to become a true creator of experiences. This quest for differentiation is coupled with a broader ambition: to enhance Nice's appeal and showcase the region's authenticity and diversity.
Focus on soft skills and personalization
Finally, to intensify the emotions felt by travelers and visitors throughout their Anantara Place Nice experience, the general manager is obviously relying on his team. To achieve this, he has chosen to focus his training on soft skills. With personalization at the heart of the hotel's strategy, understanding guests' needs and expectations is crucial. “We train our teams in emotional intelligence so that they can better understand and anticipate these needs", explains Gaudéric Harang. With a recently-appointed quality manager, the property intends to structure its approach more solidly and continuously improve the customer experience, based on the data and feedback collected.
With innovative projects, an immersive approach to the destination, prestigious partnerships and a clear ambition to reposition Nice as a must-see destination, the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel confirms its place as one of the luxury addresses to watch. For Gaudéric Harang and his teams, this first year is just the beginning of a promising adventure.
The Anantara Plaza Nice hotel is ideally located opposite the Jardin Albert1er Crédit photo © Anantara Plaza Nice / Minor Hotels
Many rooms here offer views of the gardens, Nice's rooftops and the blue sky Crédit photo © Anantara Plaza Nice / Minor Hotels
Rooms designed down to the last detail, to offer guests an experience combining modernity and authenticity Crédit photo © Anantara Plaza Nice / Minor Hotels
Attention to detail has also been paid to the bathrooms Crédit photo © Anantara Plaza Nice / Minor Hotels
The hotel's highlight: its rooftop overlooking the Baie des Anges Crédit photo © Anantara Plaza Nice / Minor Hotels
The rooftop has been enlivened this winter by a partnership with Cristal Roederer Crédit photo © Anantara Plaza Nice / Minor Hotels
Another highlight of the Anantara Plaza Nice is its spa, where locals have already made their mark Crédit photo © Anantara Plaza Nice / Minor Hotels
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