Hôtel Martinez, Cannes | At the Centre of the Riviera Stage

Hôtel Martinez is one of those properties where you immediately understand its history, significance and presence amongst the icons of the French Riviera. Located on the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes, its exterior is recognisable to first-time and returning visitors alike.

Beyond its iconic exterior is a well-rounded hotel offering guests a mix of excellence in gastronomy, hospitality and wellness. It is a property that delivers a multidimensional experience, which can be shaped to suit the individual guest without ever feeling forced or overdone.

Design, service and quality all play a pivotal role in defining Hôtel Martinez’s reputation. It does not need to sell its narrative, after all, it is one of the centrepieces of the Cannes Film Festival. The real strength of Hôtel Martinez is not the façade recognised across Cannes, but how naturally the property continues to operate at the centre of it. The hotel understands its position and history, whilst still maintaining the drive and determination to deliver an experience designed to remain relevant in the modern era.

Who this is for

Image: Facade of Hôtel Martinez. © Ylenia Cuellar

This Edit will benefit those who prefer to stay in a Cannes hotel that offers more than just a name and photo opportunity.
Hôtel Martinez works particularly well for travellers looking to experience the Riviera through one property rather than constantly moving between destinations. Its location on the Boulevard de la Croisette places guests at the centre of Cannes, whilst still allowing easy access to Nice and the wider Riviera.
The combination of beach club, dining, bar venues, spa and well-appointed accommodation allows the property to function as more than simply a hotel base. It caters well for solo travellers, couples and families alike, whilst remaining adaptable to different styles of travel and lengths of stay.
**The Standard**
Every recommendation in this Edit is assessed against the same five points: service, design, food and drink, atmosphere and value. Value is not about cheap or expensive. It is whether the experience earns the time and price invested.

Arrival at Hôtel Martinez

The first glimpse of Hôtel Martinez does not immediately reveal the full scale and majesty of the property. The forecourt is often busy, with luxury cars, arriving guests and visitors all moving through the entrance at pace. Despite this, the welcome from the porters remains composed, professional and consistently well handled.

Once you enter through the hotel’s doors, this is where the experience truly begins. Guests are immediately struck by the splendid and rather grand foyer, which sets the intention for what is to come across the wider property and its many experiences.

Check-in itself is spacious and well proportioned, particularly considering the scale and volume of the hotel. Guests are invited to sit at one of the dedicated reception desks and are offered a hot drink on arrival. The staff are polite, efficient and, most importantly, proactive in providing practical information about the stay to ensure the experience begins smoothly.

The history | A Riviera institution

Image: Staircase at Hôtel Martinez. © 2026 Palates & Miles

First opened in 1929, Hôtel Martinez still carries many of its original influences today, particularly through the Art Deco design found throughout the property. Opening during a period of transition between the roaring twenties and a time of wider global upheaval, the hotel has nevertheless maintained its position on the waterfront of Cannes throughout the decades that followed.
The hotel has undoubtedly benefited from the landscape upon which it stands. The decision to build the property on this stretch of the Boulevard de la Croisette came from Emmanuel Martinez, who in 1927 set out to create one of the most luxurious hotels on the French Riviera.
Cannes itself had already become a destination favoured by visitors since the 1830s, when British aristocrats would travel through the region enjoying the climate, particularly during winter and spring, as part of wider journeys through France and Italy. Today, Cannes continues to attract visitors from across the world and remains one of Europe’s most recognisable Riviera destinations.

The present | A hotel that still delivers

Image: Balcony view from Premium Room King. © 2026 Palates & Miles

Today, Hôtel Martinez forms part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, having first entered into its relationship with Hyatt in 2013 before becoming an Unbound Collection property in 2018. For those who prefer to book using World of Hyatt points, the hotel is categorised as a Category 7 property.
Since then, the hotel has undergone extensive renovation, reimagining and design updates to ensure it remains a property worthy of its prestigious reputation. Some of the more notable developments include the addition of the Penthouse Apartments in 2021, the continued evolution of La Plage du Martinez and the relaunch of La Palme d’Or, which remains one of the Riviera’s strongest gastronomic destinations.
This combination of facilities, dining and hospitality, alongside a clear determination to maintain consistent service standards, ensures the property feels relevant today rather than simply connected to its past.
In 2026, the hotel was also revealed as the setting for The White Lotus Cannes, the latest instalment of the acclaimed HBO series The White Lotus, which will undoubtedly further elevate the global profile of the property.

The room | Premium Room King

Image: Interior of Premium Room King. © 2026, Palates & Miles

For this stay, the room category was a Premium Room King, which offers partial sea views. It is important to note that not all Premium Rooms include a sea view unless specifically categorised as a Premium Sea View Room. This is reflected within the booking category, so it is worth checking in advance should this be important to your stay.
The room itself is well proportioned, with a colour palette of light blues, pale yellows and whites, a combination that can easily create the impression of being aboard a yacht sailing along the Riviera. Well-placed mirrors surrounding the headboards and doors create a greater sense of space and openness, which further enhances the airiness the room offers. There is ample seating and storage throughout, including a separate armchair and side table, built-in desk and cabinetry, which also houses the minibar alongside tea and coffee facilities.

Image: Bath with view of room and balcony. © 2026 Palates & Miles

The bathroom is one of the features that helps the room stand out. A large vanity unit sits alongside a separate bath, which looks through an opening into the bedroom, although a retractable privacy screen is located in the bedroom when required. The toilet and walk-in shower are both housed within separate enclosed spaces, creating a bathroom that feels private, spacious and thoughtfully designed, befitting of the wider hotel. The bathroom amenities offered here are from Histoires de Parfums, where their 7753 fragrance combines both artistry and quality to bring to life an indulgent experience.

Finally, a well-appointed balcony in this room offers a partial view of the Croisette and the sea beyond. A small table and two chairs are provided, making it well suited for an early morning coffee or late afternoon aperitif. The view remains partial, with surrounding buildings across Cannes still forming the dominant outlook. Cannes is ultimately a well-developed city and unless a room category specifically guarantees a sea view, guests should expect either a city-facing outlook or a view over the hotel’s interior gardens and pool areas.

The suites | The Penthouse Apartments

Image: Lounge of The Isabelle Huppert Apartment. © 2026 Palates & Miles

The Penthouse Apartments at Hôtel Martinez are what truly set this property apart from many others on the Riviera. Located on the top floor of the hotel, they offer uninterrupted views across the coastline and possess what can only be described as some of the finest terraces on the Croisette. These apartments were redesigned in 2021 by the acclaimed interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. They are split into two distinct apartments, one named after Isabelle Huppert, the renowned French actress, and the other after Thierry Frémaux, Director of the Cannes Film Festival. When combined into one connected suite, the accommodation spans a total of 1,250 square metres, making it one of the largest hotel suites in Europe.

Image: Bedroom of The Isabelle Huppert Apartment. © 2026 Palates & Miles

**The Isabelle Huppert Apartment** can best be described as a space where the interior is designed to complement the exterior view. A combination of whites, creams and golds create an atmosphere that feels open, calming and complete. The apartment consists of a large open-plan lounge space with generous seating throughout, whilst a separate formal dining room leads from the main living area. There is one well-appointed bedroom with a large ensuite overlooking the terrace and sea beyond. A separate walk-in dressing room is positioned opposite the bedroom, whilst an additional connecting bedroom can also be added to expand the apartment further.

Image: Lounge and dinning space in The Thierry Frémaux Apartment. © 2026, Palates & Miles

**The Thierry Frémaux Apartment** is the larger of the two and embraces a much darker design palette, combining midnight blues and blacks to create a striking setting. It is undoubtedly a nod to both the hotel’s Art Deco heritage and Cannes’ wider association with cinema, refinement and spectacle. This apartment contains two distinct bedrooms, each with dedicated lounge spaces. The primary bedroom features a large connected ensuite, with a dressing room located opposite. There is also a dedicated fitness space, further elevating the guest experience and privacy. A suite in Cannes would arguably not feel complete without a screening room, and here the cinema space feels entirely befitting of what Hôtel Martinez seeks to represent. Whilst this apartment doesn’t include a separate dining room, a large dining area within the main lounge equally benefits from exceptional terrace views.

Image: View from the Terrace. © 2026 Palates & Miles.

The terraces at Hôtel Martinez are by far the most exclusive feature these apartments and the wider hotel have to offer. With uninterrupted 180-degree views across the Bay of Cannes, the scale and beauty of the view takes several moments to fully absorb. During the summer months, and especially throughout the Cannes Film Festival, these terraces become destinations in their own right, regularly hosting exclusive receptions, parties and brand events high above the Croisette.

The Martinez Bar

The bar is particularly well positioned for a pre-dinner aperitif before ascending to La Palme d’Or. However, for those who prefer to spend the evening within the bar itself, there is also a varied food menu available, allowing the experience to naturally extend later into the night.

P&M tip: Do not be afraid to ask the team for drink recommendations. You will rarely be disappointed and it can often result in something far more memorable than ordering directly from the menu.

Dining at La Palme d’Or

Image: Amuse-bouche at La Palme d’Or. © 2026, Palates & Miles

La Palme d’Or is a dining space that defines not only Hôtel Martinez, but also much of what Cannes itself has become known for. Drama, theatricality and atmosphere combine throughout both the design of the restaurant and the food carefully prepared within it. The offering reflects the produce of the wider region, with fish dishes in particular designed to showcase the quality of local Mediterranean catches.
A restaurant sharing its name with the film festival’s most prestigious award would arguably feel incomplete without embracing the world of cinema itself. The menu is presented in the style of a film script, complete with handwritten annotations designed to replicate a working screenplay. The décor equally leans into this identity, with props, original scripts and notes from actors and directors displayed throughout the dining room. Designed by Rémi Tessier, the restaurant succeeds in creating a space that feels instantly recognisable and entirely aligned with the wider identity of Cannes. The atmosphere never feels theatrical for the sake of it. Instead, every detail appears carefully considered and connected to the experience the restaurant is trying to create.

Image: Lobster course at La Palme d’Or. © 2026, Palates & Miles

The menu can be experienced either through a tasting format or à la carte, depending on the diner’s preference. Two tasting menus are available, the three-course Short Film and the five-course Feature Film, with each dish intended to act as an individual scene within the wider evening. However, the five-course experience is by far the stronger option, as it allows for a much more complete understanding of both the quality of the produce and the rhythm of the kitchen.
All menus begin with the signature amuse-bouche, immediately grounding guests in the identity of the restaurant. On this occasion, the standout dishes from the Feature Film menu were undoubtedly the lobster, flambéed tableside, and the red mullet, which was exceptionally fresh and precise in execution. Equally, the sweetbread introduced a richer flavour profile that complemented the earlier dishes particularly well. The menu remains highly seasonal and evolves according to the best available produce at the time.

It is an evening genuinely worth experiencing. The team at La Palme d’Or are clearly proud of what they deliver, both in the food itself and the wider service surrounding it, and that sense of belief becomes one of the defining aspects of the evening. By the close of the meal, the restaurant succeeds in doing something increasingly rare on the Riviera: creating an experience that feels memorable beyond the food alone.

The beach club | La Plage du Martinez

Image: La Plage du Martinez. © Photo Boby

Unsurprisingly for a hotel positioned directly on La Croisette, the beach club is one of the most visible parts of the property to those passing by. As a result, considerable care and attention has clearly been given to the overall offering. Redesigned by Rémi Tessier in 2023, the restaurant and terrace remain very much in keeping with the wider identity established at La Palme d’Or. The space embraces deep blues and browns, reflecting the tones of the seafront. Director’s chairs bearing the names of actors and filmmakers further reinforce the connection between the hotel, cinema and Cannes itself.
The strongest aspect of La Plage du Martinez is how naturally it connects the hotel to the waterfront itself. The menu combines traditional Riviera cuisine with lighter sharing plates, allowing the space to cater well to the varying pace and expectations of visitors throughout the day. Strong influences are drawn from both the French Riviera and the wider Mediterranean, whilst food and drinks can also be served directly to the loungers positioned across the beachfront and pontoon.
Open from mid-spring until mid-autumn each year, La Plage du Martinez remains particularly popular with both hotel guests and visitors arriving directly from La Croisette. There is, however, a separate charge for use of the sunbeds, so this is worth considering in advance when planning your visit.

Breakfast at La Sud

Breakfast at Hôtel Martinez is less of an occasion than dining within the property’s other restaurants, however it is by no means a less considered experience. It is served within La Sud, which at various points throughout the day acts as one of the busiest intersections of the hotel. The design of the space is open and airy, with high ceilings adding further scale and light to the room.

The breakfast offering consists of a substantial buffet selection, including hot dishes, pastries, breads, cakes, continental meats, cheeses and vegetables, alongside eggs and omelettes prepared to order by the kitchen team. Service is friendly and courteous, although it can become slightly slower during busier periods. In many ways, however, this fits naturally with the more relaxed pace at which breakfast is enjoyed across the Riviera. Tea and coffee are served directly to the table.

Beyond breakfast, La Sud also operates throughout the day for lunch and dinner service, offering a more relaxed alternative to the hotel’s other dining venues. There is also a dedicated bar area, which works particularly well for those seeking a quieter drink away from the more atmospheric setting of the Martinez Bar.

P&M tip: Try to arrive for breakfast earlier in the morning to avoid the busiest period of service. During spring and summer it is also possible to sit outside on the terrace or within the covered veranda, both of which are worth requesting if available.

L’Oasis du Martinez Gardens and Spa

Image: L’Oasis du Martinez. © Jérôme Kelagopian

This is where Hôtel Martinez places wellness more centrally within the guest experience. The gardens provide ample shade alongside quieter spaces to either exercise or relax within the wider rhythm of the property. The outdoor pool is also located here, where the deep blue design language found throughout the hotel continues, creating a setting where guests can comfortably spend an entire afternoon. There is also a pool bar, where drinks and lighter food options are available throughout the day.

The L’Oasis Spa by Carita is positioned directly beside the outdoor pool, reinforcing the wider sense of relaxation and wellbeing the space is designed to create. Treatments are centred around the Carita philosophy, whilst guests are also able to access additional facilities including the fitness centre, which overlooks the gardens themselves.

Cannes Film Festival | When the hotel peaks

This Edit would not be complete without mentioning the Cannes Film Festival and how Hôtel Martinez becomes an inherent part of the occasion itself. After all, La Palme d’Or even contains a table named ‘The Big Jury Table’, where numerous festival jury dinners have taken place over the years.

Every May, for two weeks, the hotel transforms into a thoroughfare for directors, actors and some of the most recognisable names in cinema, fashion and media as the festival reaches full momentum. The famous staircase and entrance become some of the most photographed locations in Cannes during this period, as the attention of the cinematic world shifts directly onto La Croisette.

What is perhaps most impressive, however, is that the hotel never relies solely on the festival to define its relevance. Instead, Hôtel Martinez uses this period to reinforce its wider position as one of the Riviera’s defining hotels throughout the rest of the year.

How to structure your stay

Hôtel Martinez is a property that can comfortably be visited at almost any stage of the year and for varying lengths of stay. A two-night stay can leave just as strong an impression as a week-long visit, and the hotel adapts well to however guests wish to shape their time in Cannes.

For shorter stays, it is worth considering which facilities and restaurants are operating during your visit, as this can vary depending on the season and day of the week. If dining at La Palme d’Or or experiencing the Martinez Bar is important to your stay, checking opening times and availability ahead of booking is highly advisable.

For longer stays, Hôtel Martinez works particularly well as a base for exploring the wider Riviera region. Cannes itself is highly accessible, with Nice Airport located around twenty to thirty minutes away by car. Train services also connect Cannes easily with Nice, Marseille, Antibes, Grasse and Monaco, making day trips straightforward to undertake.

Practical notes before you book

When visiting Cannes, there are several practical considerations worth keeping in mind before arrival. Whilst La Croisette itself is relatively flat, many areas of the city involve uphill walking, so appropriate footwear is highly recommended.

Cannes is also a city strongly associated with style and luxury, particularly along La Croisette where many major fashion houses are located. Planning evening attire in advance is therefore worthwhile, especially if intending to dine within the hotel’s restaurants or spend time within the Martinez Bar. Being positioned directly on the waterfront also means evenings can become cooler surprisingly quickly, particularly during spring and autumn, so a lighter jacket is advisable.

If dining at La Palme d’Or or spending the evening within the Martinez Bar, this is very much the occasion to dress accordingly. A jacket and well-considered footwear for men feels entirely appropriate, whilst cocktail attire naturally complements the atmosphere of both venues. The interiors themselves are rich in colour and detail, something guests should not be afraid to reflect within their own styling choices.

P&M tip: Hôtel Martinez is set across a substantial footprint, so on your first morning do not be afraid to properly explore the property. Making your way towards the L’Oasis gardens is an excellent place to begin before gradually working back through the wider hotel. For those who prefer people watching, however, a later morning coffee within La Sud remains one of the best spots in the property.

Final thoughts

Hôtel Martinez is without doubt a property that will continue to define Riviera stays long after guests have left its doors. It combines culinary excellence, refined service and thoughtful design with a genuine appreciation for both its history and its future alike.

What ultimately makes the hotel stand out is its understanding of how to remain relevant whilst carrying the weight of such an internationally recognised name. The team here understand not only what draws the attention of the outside world, but also what encourages guests to return time and time again for the experience itself.

As Hôtel Martinez approaches its centenary in 2029, it feels less like a hotel preserving its legacy and more like one continuing to refine it. Much like the world of cinema it sits beside each May, the property understands the importance of evolution, whilst never losing sight of what made it iconic in the first place.

P&M note

For those shaping a wider Provence or Riviera trip, our edits on London to the South of France, Considered & Eurostar Premier Experience may assist with planning.

For ideas of what do during a stay at Hôtel Martinez read our edit on Grasse | The Art of Scent.

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Disclosure: Some images used within this Edit were provided by Hôtel Martinez for the purpose of supporting editorial coverage. All opinions, observations and editorial decisions remain entirely independent and have not been influenced by the provision of imagery.