Inside the Negresco - I
In over 30 years of visiting Nice, I have never dared crossed the threshold of the Hotel Negresco, the lavishly-styled pink-domed landmark on the Promenade des Anglais. But last Christmas Day, and emboldened by companion Pippa, we strode in, for a pre-dinner cocktail. We knew the prices would induce a nose-bleed, but what a delight! The hotel was conceived by Henri Negresco (1868-1920), who lost his intended royal and aristocratic clientele (especially from Russia and Greta Britain) within one year of opening his masterpiece in 1913 with the outbreak of World War I. Bankruptcy beckoned for Henri, but his hotel came to enjoy better fortunes in later years. This is the Royal Lounge, designed by Edouard-Jean Niermans, whose centrepiece is the Baccarat chandelier. Czar Nicholas commisioned it for his own palace, but was overthrown before it could be delivered.
Inside the Negresco - I
In over 30 years of visiting Nice, I have never dared crossed the threshold of the Hotel Negresco, the lavishly-styled pink-domed landmark on the Promenade des Anglais. But last Christmas Day, and emboldened by companion Pippa, we strode in, for a pre-dinner cocktail. We knew the prices would induce a nose-bleed, but what a delight! The hotel was conceived by Henri Negresco (1868-1920), who lost his intended royal and aristocratic clientele (especially from Russia and Greta Britain) within one year of opening his masterpiece in 1913 with the outbreak of World War I. Bankruptcy beckoned for Henri, but his hotel came to enjoy better fortunes in later years. This is the Royal Lounge, designed by Edouard-Jean Niermans, whose centrepiece is the Baccarat chandelier. Czar Nicholas commisioned it for his own palace, but was overthrown before it could be delivered.