16 boulevard D Alsace, Cannes, France | (888) 710-7049
10-minute walk to the beach, plus near restaurants and shops
Right by Cannes train station
Rooftop pool and terrace with panoramic views
Upgraded rooms have attractive, contemporary decor
Air-conditioned rooms with espresso machines and flat-screen TVs
Lovely spa with hot tub, sauna, and treatment rooms
Small gym and meeting rooms on-site
Buffet breakfast available for a fee
On-site parking (at a fee)
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Overlooking train station walls
City center can only be reached by crossing underground subway
No full restaurant
Lower-category rooms have old-fashioned decor
Rooms lack mini-fridges
Wi-Fi can be patchy
Opposite Cannes train station, though on the less-convenient side of the tracks, the 66-room, upper-middle-range Best Western Plus Riviera & Spa is an odd blend of great bonuses and notable downsides. Part dated, part modern, its proximity to downtown is ideal distance-wise, but it requires traversing an underpass to reach it. Rooms range from old-fashioned and dowdy to contemporary and sleek, though all have flat-screen TVs, espresso machines, AC, and safes. An intimate library bar, swish spa, and fantastic rooftop terrace and pool with panoramic views are excellent additions, though there is no full restaurant. Better located and more tastefully decorated, the Cristal is a good alternative.
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Scene
Chain hotel with some fun accents and Marilyn Monroe theme
Built in 1974 and renovated in 2000 for a Provencal-meets-retro-Hollywood style, the Best Western manages to pull off character despite its chain status. A little difficult to find on a downtown one-way street by the main train station, the hotel is very much "on the wrong side of the tracks". Nevertheless, it seems adamant to remain included in the city's movie culture, with a Marilyn Monroe theme that extends from the exterior walls to the lobby and bar. Decor is a mix of traditional and modern. Provencal tiles and painted shutters give a Mediterranean feel, while swirl-print armchairs and a motorcycle shout contemporary. Due to two floors being renovated in 2015 (more to come in 2017-18), rooms can be hit or miss. A certain standout though is a stunning rooftop pool and terrace with panoramic views. The vibe is relaxed and guests are a mix of leisure and corporate travelers.
Location
Opposite Cannes train station; close to beaches, shopping, and restaurants
On a busy side street overlooking train station walls, the Best Western's location may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but it's definitely central. Despite the underpath needed to get there, it's very close to the city center. The nearest airports are Mandelieu and Nice (18 and 25 minutes by car, respectively) and once arrived, there are endless things to see and do in one of the French Riviera's most fashionable cities. The famous Croisette Promenade sits a five-minute walk from the hotel. The Rue d'Antibes and its upscale boutiques are the same distance and the equally fashionable rue Meynadier is three minutes farther. For some Cote d'Azur tradition, the city's old district of Le Suquet is a 10-minute walk, as is the scenic harbor. Home of the Cannes Film Festival, the Palais des Festivals is nine minutes away on foot.
Rooms
Lackluster decor that improves in refurbished rooms, all with flat-screen TVs and espresso machines
At a tight 18 square meters (194 square feet) for a Standard and not much bigger for an Executive, rooms are a squeeze. Older rooms are drab and dowdy, with old-fashioned decor. Rooms renovated in 2015, meanwhile, have some style with neutral-tone palettes, quilted leather headboards, and retro suede chairs. Regardless of type, all come with 40-inch flat-screen TVs, phones, air-conditioning, safes, and espresso machines, although there is a charge to replenish the limited stock of coffee pods. Also worth noting is that there are no mini-fridges. The two twins pushed together to form a double in some rooms aren't too popular, but that's comm for Europe. The variable state of decor extends to the bathrooms, although level of amenities is consistent. Shower/tub combos for older bathrooms are replaced by walk-in rainfall showers in newer ones, and all have hairdryers and basic toiletries.
Features
Gorgeous rooftop pool and terrace with panoramic views
Undoubtedly the hotel's best feature is the rooftop pool and terrace with lovely panoramic views of Cannes' city and sea horizon. Although the pool is on the small side and the area lacks a bar, there are loungers for sunbathing and a more intimate seating area. As there's no full restaurant -- just a small library-style bar -- dining is limited to the buffet breakfast (at a fee), served indoors or in the quiet outdoor courtyard. Built in 2014, the on-site fitness center is small but has a good range of equipment. A spa offers various treatments, as well as a sauna, steam room, and hot tub. On-site parking is pricey, but a rare feature for Cannes. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but it can be patchy. There are also meeting spaces available.
