Hotel Le Cavendish

Housed in a building dating back to 1897, Hotel Le Cavendish has a charming Belle Epoque facade, its tan stone exterior adorned with wrought-iron balconies and columns with carvings of women. Inside, it has the air of a quintessential aristocratic home from the early 1900s, which isn’t surprising as it was once the home of Lord Cavendish, the British aristocrat who discovered hydrogen. The lobby has the look of an elegant study with bookshelves lining the walls, an iron chandelier, and antique-style chairs and couches. The front desk is a low wooden business desk with chairs and a single attendant, making for a more intimate welcome. Every inch of Hotel Le Cavendish exudes an elegant ambiance, with details like heavy drapes, velour fabrics, printed carpets, marble stairs, and even a small elevator that dates back to the 1920s (though it's small and not wheelchair accessible). The breakfast room, which doubles as the lounge bar for afternoon tea and a free cocktail hour, is similarly decorated with heavy red drapes and iron candleholders along the wall, though there are modern touches like woven chairs, black booths, and glossy red tables. Clientele leans toward couples as there’s a certain romantic charm to this historic property. 

Hotel Le Cavendish has a great location for those interested in exploring Cannes on foot. The famous boulevard of La Croisette is just a six-minute walk from the hotel, while the shops off Rue d’Antibes take five minutes to reach on foot. The beach is a 10-minute walk away. Surrounding the hotel are a number of shops and dining options. Its location is equally ideal for business travelers, as Palais des Festivals et des Congres, a convention center, is a seven-minute walk from the hotel. The Gare de Cannes train station is a five-minute walk away. It takes 13 minutes by car to reach Cannes-Mandelieu Airport, while Nice's Côte d'Azur Airport is about a 30-minute drive

The hotel's 34 rooms are elegantly decorated in a blend of contemporary decor with traditional touches from the early 20th-century. Though colors and prints vary among the rooms, they all generally have soft, inviting tones and some floral prints, as well as a mix of different fabrics like velour. Some of the older rooms have antique furnishings like writing desks, cabriole-leg chairs, and decorative lamps. Deluxe Rooms and Rotunda Rooms were renovated in the winter of 2015. The Rotunda Rooms are especially charming, with their circular shape and lovely views. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, terraces (some larger than others), air-conditioning, and safes, but there are no coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms range in style, though all have white marble sinks, toiletries, and hairdryers. Some are outfitted with shower/tub combos, while others have showers -- these range in size from quite small and cramped, to larger and tiled in marble. 

As is common with historic, boutique properties, there's little in the way of facilities here. A lovely breakfast buffet is served in the mornings and includes organic coffee, homemade pastries, gluten-free products, and made-to-order eggs, but it’s not included in all room rates and is quite pricey. However, breakfast doesn’t have a time limit, and is available to late risers. In the afternoons, a free tea with snacks is provided, while in the evenings, there’s a free cocktail hour with drinks and snacks. The hotel lacks a restaurant, gym, or business center, but Wi-Fi is free throughout. The hotel offers free access to a private beach during high season. Valet and private parking incur a daily fee.