3 Best places to stay in Cannes

You’ll struggle to bag a room at this icing-white Art Deco hotel on Cannes’ La Croisette during the city’s film festival – but its movie-star buzz lingers long after the stars depart.

The hotel’s La Plage beach club, set on white sands, is one of the Cote d’Azur’s swankiest places to see and be seen; meanwhile, Its fabled restaurant La Palme d’Or has two Michelin stars.

There’s superb service throughout, too – your wish is the staff’s command – so for a touch of Cannes glamour, it’s hard to beat.

Ever since it opened in 1911, this grand hotel – with its landmark domes, allegedly modelled after the breasts of courtesan La Belle Otero – has been the stuff of Riviera legend. Scenes from Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief were filmed in the hotel, and during the Cannes Film Festival it still fills with stars, thanks to its pole position on La Croisette.  

Some suites have movie star names and curious features: the Sean Connery has a bathroom under its dome, while the luminous Grace Kelly has a reading nook by a porthole window. Champagne breakfasts on the sunny terrace add another layer of glamour. It’s a splurge, but great fun for film fans. 

The hotel’s private beach, jetty and restaurant are still the see-and-be-seen spot in Cannes. 

Conveniently located in the buzzing heart of Cannes, close to sights, shops and the beach, this four-star boutique hotel has a lush Mediterranean garden with a heated pool – at prices that won’t break the bank.

Yet there’s a sense of deco-chic thanks to design touches (mirrored headboards, velvet accent chairs) and the retro-feel lounge bar.

The sea and most of the city sights are within walking distance, so it’s a good bet for first-time visitors, couples or families – and the garden and pool are a peaceful oasis to retreat to afterwards.