With its upscale glamour and taste for the expensive high life, it’s no surprise Côte d’Azur is a destination often visited by the world’s most famous celebrities. And we’re talking big stars like Beyonce, Lewis Hamilton, Kim Kardashian, and Naomi Campbell.
Cannes is the area’s biggest celebrity hotspot, especially around May when summer arrives and the annual internationally renowned Cannes Film Festival rolls out the red carpet for Hollywood’s biggest A-listers.
So, if you visit during the week of the big event, expect to bump into one or two celebrities stepping out of limousines and being jostled through crowds of loitering paparazzi. Côte d’Azur’s glitziest towns and cities are simply made for the rich and famous – and you can join in the luxurious fun if you wish to.
Let’s take a closer look at our favourite Côte d'Azur celebrity hotels in Cannes…
Hôtel Martinez by Hyatt
Previously spotted A-list residents: Bruce Willis, Eva Longoria, Scarlett Johansson, and Robert Pattinson
With its highly sought-after location on La Croisette, Hôtel Martinez by Hyatt is a favourite among big-name celebs coming to town for the Cannes Film Festival. They can jump right in their limousine and already be surrounded by the hustle and bustle.
The hotel itself is more than luxurious enough for A-listers, too. The interior design gives off 1920s high-glamour and there are plenty of premium suites to choose from, including the Penthouse Suite that has no doubt housed many celebs over the years.
For food, there’s La Palme d’Or: the hotel’s two-Michelin-star restaurant fit for kings and queens. No Côte d’Azur celebrity stays are complete without a meal here.
Hôtel Barriére Le Majestic
Previously spotted A-list residents: Robert De Niro and Matthew McConaughey
The elegance of Hôtel Barriére Le Majestic is simply unmatched. Its lavish interiors finished with subtle Parisian influences will impress anyone, even the biggest celebrities who've stayed in the world’s grandest hotels.
Previous Hollywood guests will have likely stayed in the hotel’s most deluxe rooms – like the Christian Dior Suite boasting high-end furnishings and accessories designed by, you guessed it, French designer powerhouse brand Christian Dior.
And for dinner, countless celebs are regularly spotted at Le Fouquet’s Cannes: the hotel’s signature fine-dining brasserie serving up a menu of authentic Mediterranean delights.
JW Marriott Cannes
Previously spotted A-list residents: Ronnie Wood and Chris O'Dowd
For celebrity stays in the Côte d’Azur, JW Marriott Cannes is high up on the list of ultra-glam venues. The hotel oozes grandeur, especially the lobby boasting high ceilings and a glitzy chandelier, which takes front and centre stage as soon as you walk through the door.
The swanky Two-Bedroom Presidential Suite is the hotel’s most suitable room for celebrities and VIPs. The space offers fantastic views of the ocean stretching on for miles and the bustling La Croisette Beach is right below your balcony.
It’s prime position means you’ll benefit from being in the heart of all the glitz and glamour, with access to the fine soft sands and Mediterranean Sea just metres from the hotel’s front gates. What more could you want for your stay in Cannes?
Five Seas Hotel Cannes
Previously spotted A-list residents: Kevin Costner and Sharon Stone
Last on our list of top Côte d’Azur celebrity stays is Five Seas Hotel Cannes. This hotel is so reliably top-notch, celebrities tend to stay here all year round, whether it's Cannes Film Festival time or not. In fact, it's one of the most fashionable hotels in Cannes.
For the most lavish stayover, we recommend the Seven-Bedroom Presidential Suite, boasting fabulous art-deco stylings and plenty of high-tech amenities like an in-room iPad and Nespresso machine.
Oh, did we also mention the glass Jacuzzi out on the balcony? It's these little luxuries that would entice any celebrity to book a stay here. They’ll blend right in among the hotel’s swanky vibes.
And if the paparazzi did start to follow, the hotel’s on-site spa is a great hideaway, complete with four unique treatment rooms, two saunas, a relaxation room, and a fitness gym. It’s not uncommon to come out feeling utterly rejuvenated from head to toe.
What is the Cannes film festival?
Held in the Southern French town since 1946, Cannes Film Festival is a prestigious annual celebration of the film industry that usually takes place every May.
The festival goings-on include exclusive film screenings across multiple genres, award ceremonies, and talks from leading industry players such as movie producers and directors.
Can everyone go to Cannes Film Festival?
Unfortunately, Cannes Film Festival is a non-ticketed event and the guest list is reserved for industry professionals – but there are some film screenings open to the public across Cannes’ numerous venues and open-air cinemas.
What are the best things to do in Cannes on holiday?
While thousands flock to the town for the Cannes Film Festival every year, there’s still plenty to do elsewhere that doesn’t involve looking out for Hollywood film stars (although that sounds pretty exciting, too).
Depending on what time of year you visit and what you like doing on holiday, Cannes’ most popular landmarks and things to do include:
- Taking a stroll down the iconic 1.6km La Croisette, browsing the designer boutiques or dipping your toes in the ocean just metres from the promenade.
- Exploring the rest of the Côte d’Azur in a rented boat (like a small motorboat or something grander like a yacht or catamaran).
- Enjoying a relaxing beach day on Palm Beach. It’s slightly away from the crowds of La Croisette and it’s free!
- Admiring the grand architecture of historical buildings and landmarks such as La Mairie de Cannes (the town hall) and Musée de la Castre (a mediaeval castle which once housed the monks of Lérins).
Want to stay in one of the celebrity Côte d’Azur hotels mentioned on this list? We can arrange that for you.
Booking a luxury holiday to France is easy with us – simply speak to one of our travel managers who will take the stress out of planning by doing it all for you. And remember, there are many more five-star options out there, so keep browsing the top luxury hotels in France to find the one you love the most.
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