Welcome to Queernaval
PHOEBE IRIS soaks up the carnival atmosphere, delicious food and LGBTQIA culture of Nice
Stepping out of the airport, Nice greets me with a warm welcome – literally. I go from shivering on Gatwick’s runway to sweating in my winter coat as I wait for the tram to take me into the city. Gazing out the window, I catch my first glimpse of the glittering blue sea. Nice’s streets, lined with beautiful architecture, exude a sense of serenity, even as the city prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for its annual carnival.
Arriving at the Hotel WindsoR (hotelwindsornice.com), I am struck by the eclectic collection of artwork displayed in the lobby (shout out to the chessboard made entirely of bread). This passion for art continues throughout the hotel, with each room designed in collaboration with a contemporary artist. I head to the Olivier Mosset room, a bold fusion of red and pink. The large canvas above the bed was painted in the room itself, making the space not just a place to display art but part of the artwork.