The Mediterranean provides an impressive backdrop through the large neoclassical columns

The Mediterranean provides an impressive backdrop through the large neoclassical columns. Most of the 188 rooms (including 12 suites) face this large courtyard; the ones round the back have the rooftops of Nice to admire.
LOCATIONLe Palais de la M?terran? 13-15 Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France (00 33 4 92 14 77 00; www.lepalaisdelamediterranee ; or Leading Hotels of the World, 00800 2888 8882; www.lhw /palmediteran) sits on the wide seafront promenade built in the 19th century. Although the hotel doesn’t have its own beach yet, it has arrangements for guests to enjoy VIP access to a private beach. The outdoor pool is connected to its indoor counterpart, allowing it to be used all year round. There’s a gym, sauna and steam room.COMFORTABLE?Art deco principles are maintained throughout: lines are clean and uncluttered without diving into cold minimalism. Each floor has a colour theme – blue, red or brown – with textiles and furniture in complementing shades. Brown rooms come with warm golden tones and dark chocolate modern furniture, while their blue counterparts are offset by cream and blond wood The effect is calm and soothing Extra touches include an espresso maker and CD player.

Bathrooms are huge, with a separate walk-in shower and bath.Freebies: the toiletries, by Annick Goutal, include a rich body-lotion; other things worth stashing away in your washbag include the eternally useful nail-file.Keeping in touch: LCD TV, high-speed modem connection in rooms, and internet and Wi-Fi in the lobby.THE BOTTOM LINEDoubles start at €220 (£157) in low season, and suites from €1,100 (£786) excluding breakfast, €25-30 (£18-21).I’m not paying that: Try the delightful Hotel Le Grimaldi (00 33 4 93 16 00 24; www.le-grimaldi ) in the centre of town, which has doubles from €95 (£68).. Sally Wells, 53, runs a care home in Stroud with her partner Nick. She and Nick sold separate homes when they took on the job and have invested the money to generate returns until they feel the need to buy a house again. However, they are concerned that they may not be making the best possible use of the money. From Sally’s monthly income of £650, she is paying £40 into a pension fund and £100 into a high-interest savings account. Apart from that she spends all her money on holidays and visits to her children as she has no other bills; all her living costs are covered by the care home, where she lives.
Sally has four financially independent children and two younger ones who live with her former partner. But she does not have any health or life insurance, which could be a worry.

She is also concerned about her income in old age, though she says she is keen to work as a counsellor when she has retired.We asked three independent financial advisers for their suggestions: Patrick Connolly of JS&P; Justin Modray of Bestinvest; and Ben Yearsley of Hargreaves Lansdown.Case notesSally and Nick Wells, care home managers, StroudSalary: £7,800 of income annually.Monthly spending: accommodation costs, food and other bills are all taken care of as part of job. Spare cash is used on travel expenses and holidays.Savings: £100 a month into a Halifax savings account. About £86,000 in corporate bond funds, with-profits, ISAs and other saving accounts. Sally’s savings include £10,000 in premium bonds.Debts: none.Pension: £40 a month into Sally’s personal pension, which currently stands at about £5,000.Property: Sally hopes to buy a new home when she finishes work.