In Cannes each May, celebrities and movie-loveres descend on the six five-star hotels located along the famous Promenade de la Croisette. Here is an overview of what each of these properties has to offer, particularly during the Cannes Film Festival.
InterContinental Carlton Cannes
Celebrities who have stayed here: Quentin Tarantino, Uma Thurman, Guillaume Canet, Sylvester Stallone, Brigitte Bardot, Sharon Stone, Bruce Willis and Clint Eastwood are regular guests.
What makes it unique: The prestigious suites on the seventh floor are named for some of the hotel’s most famous celebrity guests: Grace Kelly, Sean Connery, Sophia Loren, Cary Grant… There are nine of these ultra-luxurious suites, the largest of which is 380 square meters.
What’s new during the festival: Nikki Beach, an exclusive pop-up restaurant and nightclub, will open its doors within the Carlton from May 14 to 25. Accessible only to VIP guests, the venue is bound to be abuzz with stars. Brunch, lunch and dinner will be served in the restaurant La Plage, which will host a variety of special events throughout the festival.
Majestic Barrière Cannes
Celebrities who have stayed here: Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone and Gérard Dépardieu are just a few of the countless movie stars who have frequented the Majestic through the years.
What makes it unique: The hotel is home to a Christian Dior suite, designed in partnership with the famous haute couture house. Spanning across 450 square meters in the hotel’s west wing, the suite offers a panoramic view over the Mediterranean. The luxurious apartment is decorated in the style of 30 Avenue Montaigne, the address of the Parisian couturier’s original store. Prices start at €15,000 per night.
What’s new during the festival: The Majestic Barrière’s private beach, which has always been popular among the stars, has undergone a renovation carried out by Jean-Philippe Nuel. The architect, who has designed the interiors of several luxury hotels and cruise ships, designed an eco-friendly and entirely removable deck, which can accommodate 100 guests for lunch and dinner or up to 200 guests for cocktails. There is also a VIP area where clients can reserve day beds, and there is room for up to 400 mattresses on the sand.
Grand Hyatt Cannes Hôtel Martinez
Celebrities who have stayed here: Scarlett Johansson, Robert De Niro and Diane Kruger are among those who have enjoyed the services of this Cannes institution. In addition, the hotel’s private beach provides the set for a popular French evening news show during the festival (Le Grand Journal on Canal+), so several celebrities regularly stop by for interviews during the event.
What makes it unique: La Palme d’Or, located within the hotel, is the only restaurant in Cannes with two Michelin stars and is often frequented by celebrities during the festival.
What’s new during the festival: This year, the luxurious establishment is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its private beach and restaurant, the Zplage. Guests will find a new menu highlighting some of the ingredients that have left their mark on the past decade, each of which is offered in three different culinary creations.
JW Marriott Cannes
Celebrities who have stayed here: A number of international stars have stayed here during the festival and the rest of the year, but the hotel has opted not to reveal the list of names.
What makes it unique: This is the only hotel in Cannes with a rooftop deck and pool, where guests can enjoy an unparalleled view over the city and the sea.
What’s new during the festival: Brooklyn-based rapper Theophilus London chose this hotel as the venue for a unique pop-up venue opening from May 15 to 23. La Chambre Noire (“the darkroom” in French) will include a photo studio, exhibit space and a lounge. On the terrace, guests will enjoy concerts by London and a selection of other acts.
Le Grand Hôtel Cannes
Celebrities who have stayed here: The list of stars who have stayed here is confidential, but the location is bound to be teeming with celebs during the festival.
What makes it unique: This privately owned hotel bears the distinction of being the first five-star hotel in Cannes. The Jacqueline suite, located on the 9th and top floor, has a living room overlooking the hills behind the city and a room with a balcony overlooking the sea.
What’s new during the festival: In a setting with an unusual choice of decor (half bakery, half lounge), French vodka brand Grey Goose will open a surprising and atypical bar. Guests at the Boulangerie Bleue will enjoy unique cocktails as well as artisanal breads created by French master baker Gontran Cherrier. Slated to open May 15-23 within the gardens of Cannes’ Grand Hôtel, the space will feature DJ sets from the French collective Le Tournedisque.
Five Seas Hotel
Celebrities who have stayed here: Just down the road from the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, this luxury boutique hotel has recently become a haven for the stars. Known for its discretion, the hotel refuses to reveal the names of those who have stayed here.
What makes it unique: This is the most intimate five-star hotel in Cannes, with its 45 rooms, half of which are suites. Guests head to the rooftop terrace to dine at the gourmet restaurant, the Sea Sens, which recently earned its first Michelin star.
What’s new during the festival: The Five Seas offers a unique service to wealthy clients, who can rent a luxury yacht in order to host private parties on the sea.
