Located in the heart of town, this 1911 property is across the street from its private beach (fees charged). The hotel has moved on from Riviera grande dame to commercial behemoth, yet it remains the benchmark by which all other hotels here measure themselves. Many recognize its facade from its multiple cinematic cameos, while others know it as the hallmark of the main promenade in Cannes.
A flock of bellmen congregate around the front revolving door, and the noise level is high. This is a stereotypical belle-epoque hotel transformed into a hive of conventioneers and snooping tourists, a busy, busy place where fresh expenditure is required just to keep up. The structure is still blessed with elaborate plasterwork and woodwork, ornate moldings, grand chandeliers and acres of marble. However, the underfurnished lobby and lounges are more likely to showcase folding tables littered with name tags than fine furnishings and quality art these days.
Dining, drinking and dallying are limited to the corner brasserie, fashionable sidewalk terrace, beach restaurant and bar, and busy cocktail lounge. The gourmet restaurant and caviar bar that some may remember from years past are gone, as is the casino. Still, an elaborate Sunday brunch is on offer each week, which attracts locals.
The health club on the seventh floor offers an enlarged gym, glass-roofed indoor pool and sea-view terrace, a tanning room, steam room and juice bar.
Guests can water-ski off the sandy beach, and the pier accommodates up to 50 fortunate sunbathers. Beware that the exorbitant cost of the lounge chairs on the beach can approach the cost of a room at another more modest property; prices vary according to its position on the beach.
Awesome period function space serves 500 and provides uninteresting modern conference rooms. Ample parking is available for guests, and valets are on hand to assist. A computer is available near the elevators for free Internet access, but those with laptops appreciate the complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access in the lobby.
Guest quarters have air conditioning, good double glazing, phones, TVs, high-speed Internet access (both wired and wireless for a fee), and minibars.
Most of the large combination baths are finished in marble and supply hair dryers, L'Occitane toiletries and robes. Many standard rooms lack the fine detailing of the deluxe rooms, and it is worth opting for the latter. Opulence is noticeably spared, perhaps because of the relaxed beachfront location. Fading fabrics and torn edges hardly match the room rates, and the quality is disappointing. Wallpaper is noticeably peeling in hallways and guest rooms, adding to the feeling of neglect.
Keep in mind that most sea-view rooms are smaller than the rest when their modest balcony space is subtracted. Those in the -25 through -28 series, however, are prime choices with more space. Rooms on Floors 4 through 6 are higher than the palms dotting La Croisette and thus afford unimpeded Mediterranean views.
Suite Imperiale on the seventh floor offers the most space, and seven panoramic suites (named after celebrities such as Sean Connery and Elton John) offer equally luxurious appointments for the visiting big spenders and celebrities that frequent this famed spot. If your name isn't Eastwood or Polanski, you will likely be shown a dismal little room like 139 while big beauties like 526 go empty (although management is happy when ordinary folks shell out for it).
Room service never stops, and pets are permitted. Only one room accommodates handicapped travelers. Maintenance has a long to-do list (a fact that apparently causes them no concern).
Staffers are accustomed to dealing with North Americans and provide them with impersonal, by-the-book efficiency. Some workers are actually green and brusque, wearing their smug condescension on their shoulders. Still, the location cannot be beat, and other large operators in the city (namely the Hilton) are no classier in sophistication or style.
