Experiencing timeless Riviera glamour
There are hotels that impress you, and there are hotels that stay with you long after you leave. For me, the iconic Carlton belongs entirely to the latter. Set along the legendary Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes, this Grand Dame has always carried a certain magic: timeless glamour, Riviera elegance, and that feeling that you are part of something historic the moment you walk through its doors.
I stayed at the Carlton during the Cannes Film Festival, one of the most exciting times to experience the hotel. The entire property was fully booked, the atmosphere buzzing from morning until late into the night, and everywhere you looked there was a certain effortless glamour that only Cannes can create. From celebrities casually walking through the lobby to elegant dinners stretching into the evening along the Croisette, it truly felt cinematic in every sense of the word
After an extensive two-year renovation, the hotel reopened in 2023 more beautiful than ever, seamlessly blending heritage with contemporary luxury. And honestly? It is breathtaking.
The renovation was not simply about modernizing a hotel. It was about preserving the soul of an icon while elevating every detail to the highest level of luxury. The Carlton’s famous Belle Époque façade remains as elegant as ever, while the interiors now feel lighter, warmer, and more refined.
During my stay, I stayed in a beautiful room overlooking the garden courtyard. The room was incredibly spacious, something that immediately stood out to me, with beautiful details and luxurious room amenities. While I absolutely loved our premium garden view room, if you really want the ultimate Carlton experience, I would personally recommend booking a sea view room. Waking up overlooking the Mediterranean and the iconic Croisette is simply unmatched.
And speaking of mornings: breakfast at the Carlton became one of my favourite rituals of the stay (always in a 5-star hotel). There is truly no better way to start your day than sitting outside overlooking the Mediterranean with the Riviera sun slowly rising around you.
The Food & Beverage experience at the Carlton Cannes is exceptional and adds so much to the overall atmosphere of the hotel. Riviera, the hotel’s signature restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean, quickly became one of my personal favourites, an elegant and relaxed restaurant, with beautiful Riviera-inspired dishes and the most stunning terrace on the Croisette. The iconic Carlton Beach Club is outstanding and perfectly captures the glamour of Cannes, whether for a long lunch by the sea or all day lying on the sunbeds. The only thing that surprised me in a negative way, was that as a hotel guest you still had to pay for a sun bed. Which in my opinion is a bit strange, although you received a discount as a hotel guest.
Well ok, back to the other restaurants: Rüya brings a completely different energy to the hotel with its vibrant atmosphere and refined Anatolian cuisine. I haven't tried Rüya myself but it looked very lively. I also absolutely loved Bar58, which is so chic and intimate for late evening drinks. Camélia Tea Lounge became one of my favourite corners of the hotel for slower moments throughout the day. You can sit here all day and watch all the people go in and out of the hotel.
The new residences, redesigned suites, and expanded wellness spaces have transformed the property into a destination. Yet the Carlton has never lost the heritage that made it so legendary. This is still the hotel that has welcomed royalty, Hollywood icons, and generations of travellers seeking the very best of the French Riviera. You feel that history everywhere, not in an outdated way, but in the most elegant, cinematic sense.
Whether you visit during the buzz of the Cannes Film Festival or in the quieter summer months when the Côte d’Azur feels slower and golden, the Carlton Cannes delivers that rare feeling every luxury traveller searches for: timelessness.
Carlton Cannes
58 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France