Cannes Travel Guide: Where to stay and what to do in the iconic Côte d’Azur

Renowned for its glitz, glamour and breathtaking coastal scenery, Cannes has long been a magnet for travellers seeking pristine beaches, upscale accommodation and a vibrant cultural scene. While the city may be synonymous for its annual Film Festival, Cannes offers more than just star-studded events and celebrity sightings. To help you plan your next sunshine getaway this summer, we’ve rounded up the best hotels, restaurants and beach clubs to give you the most memorable trip.

To stay

Canopy by Hilton Cannes

Occupying prime position on the corner of Boulevard Jean Hibert, moments away from the iconic Croisette and the Palais des Festivals, Canopy by Hilton Cannes puts you right in the heart of the city’s vibrant atmosphere. After recently undergoing extensive renovations and a change of owners, the 129-room hotel officially re-opened its doors last year, offering guests a gorgeous Mediterranean-inspired retreat.

With panoramic views over the port, La Croisette and the Lérins Islands, the hotel takes its inspiration from its unbeatable location with chic nautical interiors by acclaimed designer Ramy Fischer. One of the hotel’s biggest draws is its rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar Marea, where you can marvel at the breathtaking 360-degree panorama while enjoying a selection of small plates, seafood dishes and exquisitely made cocktails.

Executive Chef Alexander Douglas Burger has devised a menu to showcase the best of Cannes, with dishes like coconut-infused roasted scallops, charcoal-grilled New York Strip Black Angus and smoked harissa beef tartare just some of the standout offerings. While the selection of wines and spirits has been entrusted to Les BienHeureux, the French group of brewers and distillers. As lovers of mixology, the restaurant’s cocktail menu is inspired by the region’s treasures such as orange blossom and lavender. Open seven days a week, a DJ cranks the atmosphere up a notch from late afternoon to offer diners a fun yet intimate atmosphere.

The renovated rooms and suites offer guests comfort and sophistication, with muted hues and plush furnishings creating a contemporary aesthetic that compliments rather than detracts from the unbeatable seaside views outside. After working closely with renowned art experts and collectors, each room features the works of emerging artists to pay tribute to the region’s artistic heritage and cinematic roots.

Guests can enjoy the hotel’s spa which includes an indoor-outdoor heated swimming pool, relaxing whirpool jacuzzi, five treatment cabins, hammam, Japanese bath and sauna. While the experienced team are on hand to offer an extensive selection of face and body treatments, such as full body massages and energising facials. 

To eat

Miramar Plage

When it comes to beach clubs, you will be hard pressed to find anywhere as chic and timeless as Miramar Plage. Guests can experience all it has to offer both day and night with the restaurant open for lunch and dinner, while sun loungers on the beach can be enjoyed but are not available for reservation in advance. Chef Valerian Mangione is behind the exceptional cuisine on offer here, with influences from across the world including Latin America, the Mediterranean and Asia. 

There’s a firm emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients; from the raw seafood bar, diners can savour the taste of Galician octupus carpaccio and seabass ceviche while the restaurant’s signature Cognac flambéed truffle rigatoni in a wheel of Parmesan cheese is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. When it comes to meat options, their filet mignon from Germany is exceptionally tender and well-seasoned, as are the roasted lamb chops and beef tataki. 

Throughout the summer months, the restaurant offers specially designed set menus to coincide with one of the most prestigious Pyrotechnic Art Festivals in the world, hosted in the Bay of Cannes. Each performance on the seafront attracts more than 100,000 visitors and a jury of judges to analyse the creative displays.

Miramar Plage isn’t short of its own entertainment either, with live music and unforgettable performances from talented acrobats and dancers to keep you entertained throughout the night. Staff are attentive, professional and exude genuine warmth to make you feel welcomed from the moment you arrive. With a stellar reputation, this is one beach club and restaurant that is head and shoulders above the rest. If you want to experience the epitome of Riviera elegance, then a night here is truly worth every penny. 

Lucia Cannes

As the newest addition to Cannes’ beach club scene, Lucia Cannes officially opened its doors on La Croisette earlier this year. Crafted by the renowned hospitality company Nikki Beach Global, Lucia Cannes is inspired by radiance and sunshine, as seen in its lively colours, intricate patterns and bold designs. Partnering with English-Italian artist Chiara Perano, custom illustrations bring to life the vibrant hues of the Amalfi coast and have been adorned throughout the restaurant from sun umbrellas to glassware and menu covers.

With a menu that focuses on Cuisine Du Soleil, Executive Chef Yvon Mbiavanga delivers a menu that draws on the vibrant flavours found in Mediterranean regions blessed with ample sunlight and rotates seasonally in line with this ethos. Iberian Bellota cured ham with crushed tomatoes and toasted bread is one of their most popular starters, with pan-seared seabream and free range chicken supreme on offer for mains. Meanwhile the restaurant’s beverage menu features a range of specially designed cocktails, blending herbs, liquors and aromatics to find new and delicious flavour pairings. 

Café Crème

For a gorgeous brunch spot, the Californian-inspired Café Crème gives diners a selection of authentic brunch dishes available throughout the day. Whether you’re in the mood for something healthy like avocado toast or salmon and cream cheese bagels, or their indulgent mac and cheese and spicy fried chicken burgers, there’s dishes for every mood and time of the day. Detox ginger shots, creatively made mocktails and sweet treats like delicious carrot cake complete the menu. 

Alexandra Davis