The South of France is well known for the Cannes Film Festival, which is rightly regarded as one of the most glamorous cinema events in the world.  The film festival in the nearby city of Nice is less famous, held every November and December.  OVNI is the French acronym for unidentified flying objects.

Still, with a small i, it is OVNi, the Objectif Vidéo Nice festival, which aims to showcase art on film that would otherwise go unseen. This unique event presents the art of multiple artists in various venues across the city, including several hotels that support artistic endeavours throughout the year.  None does more than Hotel Windsor, a small hotel big on art.  Owner Odile Redolfi, the indefatigable founder of OVNi, has created an extraordinary place for travellers seeking unusual accommodation without sacrificing convenience in location.

Situated in the heart of Nice, just a short walk from the Promenade des Anglais and a bit farther from the charms of Old Nice, Hotel Windsor’s rooms were turned over to individual artists with complete autonomy to create environments as they saw fit.  The results are works of art shown on the hotel’s website.   Even when the OVNi festival is not taking place, there is art to be appreciated throughout Hotel Windsor’s public areas.  From the extravagant Chinese bed inlaid with mother of pearl that occupies the lobby to the collection of vintage Tintin posters lining the walls of the staircase, there is art and colour at every turn.

The full name of the hotel is Windsor Art Jungle Hotel.  Anyone lucky enough to stay here knows that the lush vegetation of the large private garden, a scarce privilege in the middle of a city, makes the hotel worthy of its jungle moniker.  The garden, full of temperate and tropical trees, plants, and flowers, is one of the hotel’s main draws.  Equally rare in this property, attracting sophisticated adult guests, is the swimming pool surrounded by plant life.

France is one of the most supportive countries in the world regarding the creative arts, and the millions of visitors who come to the country enjoy the vibrant calendar of events throughout the year.  In these times of overtourism, the Mediterranean region is worth getting to know in the more excellent times of the year when the summer hordes, not to mention temperatures, are much reduced.  Indeed, autumn brings on the cultural season in France.  OVNi is now in its tenth year, and each year has seen an expansion of exhibitions and interest on the part of the artists, hotels, and visitors, respectively.

 

 

 

Written by: Robert La Bua – Global Travel Connoisseur

 

 

 

 

 

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