Carlton Cannes lodge assessment – The Factors Man

The South of France is the summer season hub of the worldwide glitterati, and there is not any greater crown jewel on this stretch of paradise than Cannes, France.

This French Riviera resort city is residence to the enduring Cannes Movie Pageant, however that is not the one legend round. The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Lodge is a Belle Epoque architectural gem that lords over the town’s famed Croisette waterfront thoroughfare. The lodge dates again to 1911 and has gone by means of totally different possession teams and model affiliations, however its present iteration is with IHG’s Regent model, which reopened the property in 2023 after an in depth renovation that happened through the pandemic.

I lucked out throughout my latest journey to the Worldwide Luxurious Journey Market with an opportunity to remain on the Carlton Cannes. This is what it is like to remain at this storied property.

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What’s the Carlton Cannes?

The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Lodge had ties to IHG earlier than the in depth renovation. The lodge was beforehand related to the InterContinental model and coincidentally remodeled into Regent branding on the similar time the InterContinental in Hong Kong was present process its personal face-lift to return to Regent affiliation — a one-two punch of IHG’s enhanced presence on the ultraluxury playground.

The Carlton Cannes at present options 332 rooms and suites (make sure to decide and/or beg your manner into one with a view of the Mediterranean Sea) and 37 residences with anyplace from one to 4 bedrooms which can be geared towards longer-term stays. Cannes is already a see-and-be-seen city, and the Carlton Cannes is the place you may discover the, er, seen-iest of that scene.

I toured the property again in 2022 when it was nonetheless below building and questioned how it might all come collectively — you’d see a peek of a pink glass flute right here, a mosaic tile there, blond wooden within the nook after which gold leaf someplace else. Finally, it really works. Whether or not you are on the lookout for a hushed, clandestine cocktail or a dinner celebrating the accomplishment of a lifetime, the Carlton Cannes has one thing for you.

ebook the Carlton Cannes

My keep was included as a part of my attendance at ILTM, however you’ll be able to ebook straight with IHG to earn IHG One Rewards factors and luxuriate in all of the perks related to elite standing. Nightly charges on the Carlton Cannes begin at 320 euros ($329) — or 69,000 IHG One Rewards factors — within the offseason however climb to 1,100 euros ($1,130) — or 175,000 factors — within the peak summer season season.

When reserving the Carlton Cannes, you may wish to use one of many bank cards that earn probably the most factors for IHG stays, or one that gives automated IHG One Rewards elite standing for value-added advantages. These embrace:

The placement

The Carlton Cannes is positioned alongside the Boulevard de la Croisette amid a stretch of luxurious boutiques that includes the likes of Louis Vuitton, Versace and Chanel. Good Cote d’Azur Airport (NCE) is the closest worldwide airport and is a 30-minute drive away. You’ll want to try the Carlton Seashore Membership, which first opened in 1928, throughout the Croisette for a wonderful lunch with an uninterrupted waterfront view.

For these attending the Cannes Movie Pageant (or ILTM like yours actually), the Palais des Festivals et des Congres is a 10-minute stroll away.

Checking in

One would possibly assume a world lodge convention of journey specialists may be a lodge’s worst nightmare — irrespective of how luxurious the property may be. However the Carlton Cannes staff was as cool and crisp as a contemporary salade nicoise as they welcomed me upon arrival. Porters take baggage on the entrance door to whisk as much as your room, and one other staff member is readily available to information you previous the decorative historic check-in desk to the precise reception tucked away behind the hovering foyer.

The Carlton Cannes is a completely totally different design expertise from its Regent siblings I’ve had the luck to remain at in Southern California, Hong Kong and Vietnam. However the lodge is in step with what I and even pals exterior the journey journalism orbit have famous about Regent: These resorts are effectively staffed with individuals all the time pondering a step or two forward of the curve, asking about every little thing from late checkout to coincide with my night flight on my final day to espresso preferences (maybe my jet lag was displaying).

Whereas my room wasn’t prepared, it was arduous to be aggravated — it was time to be fabulous on the Riviera, so I took the chance to kill an hour or two on the Carlton Seashore Membership throughout the road.

The rooms

My Traditional Sea View room was a luxe, cozy retreat with a stupendous Mediterranean Sea view. Do not take my phrase for it — simply ask my family and friends who needed to endure thrice-daily unsolicited photographs of my door artfully left ajar when the daylight was oh-so-delightful.

Whereas the room was the smallest of any of the Regent properties I’ve skilled — to not gas sibling rivalry, however rooms begin at round 290 sq. ft on the Carlton Cannes in comparison with 720 sq. ft on the new Regent Santa Monica Seashore — it was nonetheless decadent.

Excessive ceilings, bow home windows and a shade palette of white, cream and yellow made the area really feel bigger than it was. A curved chaise lounge was the perfect spot to unwind with emails earlier than mattress or to sip a fast espresso earlier than early morning conferences. The minibar featured complimentary tea, Nespresso and a mixture of nonalcoholic drinks and native beer in step with Regent’s “With Compliments” ethos.

Different Riviera touches within the design scheme included the wooden-and-wicker headboard of the mattress and a wood-paneled closet space within the entryway. Additionally, in step with “With Compliments,” company can have three items of clothes laundered throughout their keep.

The comfortable toilet was good for a solo traveler and featured a single vainness and walk-in rain bathe. Housekeeping got here twice day by day, together with night turndown service, and I used to be amazed at how immediate service was in the course of my keep, from baggage supply and pick-up to room service — French hospitality at its best.

Eating at Carlton Cannes

Given the depth of the convention I used to be attending, I did not get to benefit from the full menu of choices on the Carlton when it comes to eating places, which incorporates Riviera Restaurant for Mediterranean eating, Ruya Restaurant for Anatolian delicacies, Bar 58, the Camelia Tea Lounge and the Carlton Seashore Membership.

I loved lunch twice on the Carlton Seashore Membership, which was fabulous for people-watching and the vibes … however these vibes do not come low-cost. A membership sandwich was filling but additionally 33 euros ($34), whereas a salade nicoise was 35 euros ($36). Fries come further for 11 euros ($11).

Breakfast is served in Riviera Restaurant, which I solely had an opportunity to get pleasure from one morning throughout my convention. The in depth unfold included a buffet with charcuterie, cheese, contemporary fruit, a wide selection of French pastries and fresh-squeezed juices. Visitors also can order a la carte menu choices like omelets. Riviera Restaurant is a enjoyable, vigorous spot, and I want I would had extra time to get pleasure from my begin to the day right here, because it felt like the right place to gas up earlier than a day on the seaside or strolling the Croisette for some retail remedy.

Nonetheless, I did all the time discover time to get pleasure from a nightcap within the good-looking Bar 58, a tucked-away watering gap behind the Camelia Tea Lounge that provided a mixture of cozy seating areas and bar seats. Whereas I am a martini lover, my tablemates simply transformed me to turning into a cucumber gimlet (28 euros, or $29) aficionado by the point of my departure.

It is simple to think about film offers getting made and celebrated over a glass of one thing fabulous at Bar 58, and whereas I did not get an opportunity to benefit from the menu absolutely throughout each Carlton Cannes restaurant, this area is the place one goes to really feel like a celebrity.

However no autographs, please.

Facilities and actions

The Carlton Cannes options Le Membership Health & Spa, a really in depth wellness providing with a gymnasium, sauna and therapy rooms for a little bit pampering. Whereas I did not have time for a spa therapy, I attempted to squeeze in a number of exercises and located the gymnasium right here had simply as a lot — if no more — tools as is obtainable at my native Equinox.

It was too chilly exterior to get pleasure from a dip within the Carlton swimming pool, however the property’s again backyard is all the time up for a celebration. An ice skating rink and winter market had been fairly the draw throughout my keep.

Causes Carlton Cannes won’t be for you

Whereas I completely loved my keep at Carlton Cannes, a Regent Lodge, no lodge is one-size-fits-all. Listed here are some explanation why the lodge won’t be one of the best in your subsequent trip:

• Cannes will be costly in the summertime. For those who’re on the lookout for a discount, plan forward (not that it will all the time assist) or use factors.
• The whole workers is heat and alluring (I arrived in sweatpants, and I nonetheless received smiles!), however that is undoubtedly a preferred luxurious lodge. For those who’re on the lookout for one thing a little bit extra low-key and off-the-beaten-path, you would possibly wish to look exterior of Cannes.

Accessibility

There are accessible routes to all public areas on the lodge, and 9 accessible lodging throughout all lodging sorts (residence, suite and visitor room) can be found.

Trying out

Even when I’ll have checked in to the Carlton Cannes in December, one could not assist however really feel summertime pleasure because of the thrill of the foyer, the cheery and contemporary decor, the pleasant workers, and the truth that it wasn’t that tough to persuade a buddy or two staying close by to affix me for a glass of Champagne.

And after I checked out, I could not assist however really feel a little bit summertime disappointment, regardless of the December chill. The luxe property has a historical past: Everybody from Barack Obama to Catherine Zeta-Jones has handed by means of the entrance door. Together with historical past, the Carlton Cannes nonetheless offers a recent, ultraluxurious getaway.

IHG will be pleased with this restored gem in its Regent lineup.

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