Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes

Built in 1926, this grand dame of a hotel still makes a stately first impression today. It sits on a prime piece of real estate in Cannes: on the seafront Croisette, facing the red-carpeted Palais des Festival, famous for hosting the annual Cannes Film Festival. And it’s in good company, too – designer boutiques, like Dior and Dolce & Gabbana, dot the promenade near the property, while yachts fill the sea that lies across. Swanky sports cars line the driveway leading up to the doors, but this level of luxury spills inside as well. The lobby is decked out in chandeliers, gold pillars, plush velvet sofas, and Roman statues. Hallways are adorned with black-and-white photographs of famous faces, some of whom have laid their head at the hotel. Rooms and suites are equally sumptuous, with swish bathrooms and sophisticated furniture. Many also display panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Well-heeled guests – couples, families, and of course, Cannes Film Festival attendees – can be found taking a dip in the outdoor heated pool, lined with red parasols, dining at one of the gourmet restaurants, sipping cocktails at the bars, or relaxing at the private beach club across the property. No matter what’s on your itinerary, however, it’s the type of place where you can expect to pose and people-watch.

Located in the tony resort town of Cannes, the Hotel Barriere Le Majestic is set on La Croisette, a scene-stealing promenade that runs parallel to the Mediterranean Sea and is peppered with designer stores. The cobblestone lanes of Cannes’ old quarter, Le Suquet, is a 10-minute walk away, and many choose to stroll up the alleys to the clock tower for a sweeping view. Nice can be reached in 35 minutes by car, and Monaco is a one-hour drive away. For some upscale shopping, Rue d’Antibes is five minutes away by foot. Meanwhile, the charming town of Mougins and its many art galleries are just a 15-minute car ride from the hotel. A small ferry departing from the nearby old port will bring you to Ile Saint-Honorat, a picturesque island inhabited by wine-producing monks. If casinos are more your scene, there are two – Casino Barriere Cannes Les Princes and Casino Barriere Le Croisette – within a short five-minute walk. However, arguably the most notable landmark near the hotel is Palais des Festivals. A two-minute walk away, the venue hosts Cannes Film Festival every year.

The 350 rooms and suites here are clean and contemporary, with sleek furnishings and swish bathrooms. Many units offer balconies with sea views as well as separate living areas, while all include Nespresso machines, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, air-conditioning, hair dryers, bathrobes, and irons. Suites add butler service, which covers everything, including laundry and dining.

Suites also vary in terms of themes and amenities, from the Riviera Suite, which evokes the ocean with a blue-and-cream palette, to the Christian Dior Suite, outfitted by the designer with soothing gray and silver hues. The former features a beautiful living area, two bedrooms, and a furnished terrace with breathtaking sea views, while the latter has a dining room, living room, two bedrooms, cinema, kitchen, and balcony overlooking the sea. The Majestic Suite is also a stunner, with a private heated rooftop pool, home cinema, dining room, living area, and two bedrooms.

Although Hotel Barriere Le Majestic exudes an air of exclusivity, it welcomes a wide variety of guests with a well-rounded list of facilities. The centerpiece is the outdoor heated infinity pool, surrounded by bright red parasols and chairs. For those wanting to get closer to the Mediterranean, the property’s private beach club, La Plage, sits just across La Croisette. Water sports, like parasailing, fly-fishing, and paddleboarding, are available, though many guests just choose to relax on loungers on the jetty.

There’s also a 24-hour fitness center with modern equipment and group classes. State-of-the-art machines have built-in screens, and some treadmills and ellipticals face the sea. All that activity will make you work up an appetite, and there are several restaurants to choose from, including Le Fouquet’s (a bistro serving French fare inside or alfresco on the terrace), Le Petite Maison de Nicole (a fine-dining establishment with romantic candlelit tables), and BFire by Mauro Colagreco (which offers a la carte dining at the beach club). For liquid fuel, there are three bars: La Rotonde Veuve Cliquot specializes in Champagne and overlooks the sea, while Bar Galerie du Fouquet’s Cannes serves signature cocktails in a sumptuous atmosphere featuring plush armchairs and a sleek bar. There’s also La Terrasse Piscene, which sits just beside the pool.

Meanwhile, families will love the kids’ club, which offers fun, educational activities that focus on art and music, and gastronomy. Adults wanting some alone time can unwind in the 4,843-square-foot spa equipped with a sauna, hammam, massage rooms. Other noteworthy features include a private cinema, outfitted in velvet armchairs. This space also hosts a Champagne Cinema Club on Sundays, and guests can watch movies selected from a DVD library anytime.