This Iconic Hotel on the French Riviera Will Make You Feel Like an A-Lister

Stay Here For

Bragging rights. After a more than $350 million renovation, this historic grande dame right on the Croisette is once again the hottest spot in town.

If the Hollywood stars who filmed here in the 1950s could see the Carlton today, they would be blown away by its recent makeover. The formerly dark lobby was brightened up with a fresh white color scheme, and walls were removed to open up the space, which now flows seamlessly from the grand entrance to the airy Camélia Tea Lounge overlooking a sea-view terrace. Eight layers of paint were removed from the monumental columns and turn-of-the-century marble was revealed. The reception area was moved to a room overlooking the garden, and a new desk was created using clay in a nod to the clay tennis courts the hotel introduced in 1926.

Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel first opened its doors in 1913. Designed in the Belle Époque style, with twin domes on its corners, grand salons and elegant seafront terraces, it’s an icon intertwined with the history of Cannes. In 1930, it opened its beach club, becoming one of the first hotels in Cannes to have a private one. It’s also the unofficial home base of the city’s namesake film festival, which draws a star-studded crowd every May, and has hosted a who’s who of movie stars, celebrities and even a president or two over the years. In 1989, it was officially classed as a Historic Monument, and its façade, roof, domes and some interior spaces—including the grand salon—are protected under French law.

One of the most revolutionary aspects of the 2023 redesign was the transformation of the hotel’s interior parking lot into an enormous garden, which now contains the largest infinity pool in Cannes. (Prior to the renovation, some rooms actually looked out onto the parking lot.) The rebirth of Carlton Cannes was meant to usher in a new era for the Regent brand, with the shiny new property as its European flagship. And the modernization is sure to preserve the hotel as one of the top spots in Cannes for another century or more.

The Essentials

The Location

Carlton Cannes sits right on the Croisette, the long seafront boulevard lined with swanky beach clubs and designer stores. Located in the heart of the French Riviera, it’s about 30 minutes from the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, 30 minutes from Cap d’Antibes and 90 minutes from Saint-Tropez.

The Room

Sea views are the most coveted feature in every room—and they’re especially prominent in the signature Grace Kelly Suite.

With more than 300 rooms, Carlton Cannes offers a variety of sizes and layouts. In terms of distinguishing features, perhaps the most important is the view. There are 72 rooms (less than a third of the hotel’s inventory) with sea views. The rest have either a garden view or a city view. You might get a better deal on a large city-view room than on a smaller sea-view room. If you have a particular preference, it’s best to contact the hotel.

No matter which room you book, you can expect an elegant design featuring a neutral color scheme and nice touches like headboards made of rattan and wood, glass-topped nightstands and glazed clay lamps that nod to the ceramics tradition in nearby Vallauris, where Picasso produced vases and tabletop pieces. All rooms have an espresso machine and a minibar stocked with small bottles of bubbly and artisanal juices. Bathrooms have a marble-topped counter and bath products bearing the hotel’s signature scent, an intoxicating blend of citrus notes, peony, iris, amber and white musk.

The Bars and Restaurants

You’ll want to stay at least two nights to try all of the restaurants and bars. The signature Riviera Restaurant, which has tables on the seafront terrace, is open all day, offering an ample buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between. It serves fresh Mediterranean cuisine, plus international favorites (think: a classic burger and top-tier lobster roll).

Rüya Restaurant, which is open only for dinner, dishes up Turkish cuisine with an emphasis on shared plates and also has outdoor dining on a terrace. The Carlton Beach Club is a lunchtime hot spot for linguine with crayfish, whole grilled fish and French staples like Niçoise salad and sole meunière.

For an afternoon break between meals, there’s the Camélia Tea Lounge, which has a tea sommelier to guide you through a choice of 30 tea blends to pair with sweet treats like a seasonal fig tart. (Champagne also seems to be a popular choice here, based on observations.)

In the evening, an aperitif at the intimate Barº58, which has live music many evenings, is a must. Fans of the French 75 should try the Bee Champagne Cocktail with gin, house-made lavender and honey syrups, a butterfly pea flower infusion, egg white foam and, of course, champagne.

The Standout Feature

Striped lounge chairs and white, scalloped-edge umbrellas set the scene for the hotel’s glam beach club. 

The Carlton Beach Club epitomizes the glamour of the Côte d’Azur, with its striped sun loungers and white umbrellas in neat rows on the pier and the sandy beach. You could easily while away a summer day here sunbathing and reading a book between lunch, spritzes and dips in the Mediterranean.

The Time to Go

To take full advantage of the beach club, come between June and early September. In the shoulder season months, you can still dine at the outdoor restaurants during the day, but it gets chilly in the evenings and might be a bit cold for a swim. That said, if sunbathing and swimming aren’t your priority, the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) bring fewer crowds and better deals. Just keep in mind that rates will skyrocket and rooms will be scarce during major events like the film festival.

The Vibe

Keep your eyes peeled for A-listers sipping poolside cocktails and lots of bubbly.

The very specific reason you’d come here: You’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the A-listers staying here for one of the world’s most glamorous film festivals. Or better yet, you are an A-list celebrity.

What are people drinking? Champagne. Boatloads of it. Plus spritzes at the Carlton Beach Club. But mostly champagne.

The type of movie that could be filmed here: In the 1950s, a romantic mystery thriller was filmed here. It would be a great setting for a modern-day mystery, too, perhaps one involving a grifter who preys on the hotel’s wealthy guests.

Where are people going at night? Barº58 is a hot spot—and not just for hotel guests. It gets a mix of locals and guests who come for the chic atmosphere and impeccable service.

The souvenir from the gift shop you’re bringing home: Definitely the yellow-and-white striped beach bag and matching pouch emblazoned with the Carlton Beach Club’s name. The home fragrance in the hotel’s signature scent is also a popular choice.

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