The Imperator Hotel in Nîmes
A legendary hotel in Nîmes since the 1930s, the Imperator has been given a new lease on life... Acquired by the Maison Albar Hotels group, this five-star establishment boasts a plethora of amenities that make it an unmissable destination!
The rebirth of an iconic hotel
Magnificently located a stone's throw from the Roman Arena, Carré d'Art (the contemporary art museum designed by Norman Foster), and Maison Carrée, this Hotel of Nîmes Those who saw a whole host of «beautiful people» parade under its gilded ceilings: Ernest Hemingway, Ava Gardner, Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí... have been treated to a magnificent renovation. This one, by the Franco-Argentine architect Marcelo Joulia, assisted by the architecture and design firm Atelier COS, has in no way altered its soul. 5-star hotel. Result: The charm of the Imperator remains intact; it hasn't been transformed but enhanced. Certain elements of the hotel have been cleverly preserved, such as the elevator, the grand staircase, and the restored arches. The best part? The fabulous 1000m2 indoor garden, housing wine cellars, fountains, and majestic trees, including the unmissable Ginkgo Biloba, with a special mention for the suspended pool that overlooks it.
Rooms with a contemporary atmosphere
Now a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the newly renovated Imperator features 53 rooms, including 4 suites. The intentionally reduced number of rooms allows for more space. The decor, free of frills or extravagant design, highlights beige and white tones sprinkled with blue, parquet flooring, natural stone and marble in the bathrooms, leather headboards, and round mirrors with brass trim... In each room, a drawing by Marcelo Joulia is accompanied by various artworks, including paintings by Jacques Monory and lithographs by Jim Bird. Good to know, on the other side of the cloister, the hotel has 8 independent houses overlooking the garden. These true havens of peace, ranging from one to four bedrooms, all have a private terrace, a kitchenette... A nod to the prestigious past of the location, they bear the names of certain guests: El Cordobes, Ava Gardner, Jean Cocteau, Ernest Hemingway, Salvador Dali...
A high-flying restoration
Perfection is found at L'Imperator: Pierre Gagnaire, the three-Michelin-starred chef, oversees the three dining establishments: the gastronomic Duende, the brasserie L'Impé, and the Bar Hemingway. Deeply attached to the region, he collaborates here with Chef Nicolas Fontaine, a native of Nîmes. At Duende, a Michelin-starred restaurant, the cuisine is exceptional French fare: whenever the weather permits, meals are enjoyed in the restaurant's small garden. At L'Impé, the brasserie, the menu features local products: rockfish soup with mussels from the Thau lagoon and Camargue rice checks all the boxes for a flawless experience. The dishes inspired by Spanish neighbors: patatas bravas, guindillas, grilled piquillo peppers are widely popular. As for the Bar Hemingway, it offers a wide selection of cocktails, mocktails... Don't miss the signature cocktail, the Hemingway Special Signature, which blends rum, thyme liqueur, lime juice... These cocktails are served with tapas.
The place's last asset...
One might think after so many benefits that there would be nothing more to add about the Imperator... well, not at all! A Codage spa adds the ultimate glamorous touch to the hotel. 350m2 of pure bliss translates into 4 treatment rooms, including two doubles, two pools: one indoor and one outdoor, a steam room, a jacuzzi, and even a barbershop for men, who are thankfully increasingly concerned about their appearance... Among the treatments offered, we pick directly the signature treatment «In the Footsteps of Hemingway»: 110 minutes of relaxing full-body massage and personalized facial treatment... In short, one of Our favorite hotels in the South of France.
From €350 per night.
Fontaine Quay,
15 Gaston Boissier Street, 30900, Nîmes, France
