Carlton Cannes resort evaluation – The Factors Man

The South of France is the summer season hub of the worldwide glitterati, and there is no greater crown jewel on this stretch of paradise than Cannes, France.

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

I lucked out throughout my current journey to the Worldwide Luxurious Journey Market with an opportunity to remain on the Carlton Cannes. Here 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 Resort had ties to IHG earlier than the intensive renovation. The resort 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 as we speak options 332 rooms and suites (you’ll want to choose and/or beg your approach 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 beneath 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.

How you can guide the Carlton Cannes

My keep was included as a part of my attendance at ILTM, however you may guide immediately 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 provides automated IHG One Rewards elite standing for value-added advantages. These embody:

The situation

The Carlton Cannes is situated 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 should definitely try the Carlton Seaside Membership, which first opened in 1928, throughout the Croisette for a wonderful lunch with an uninterrupted waterfront view.

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

Checking in

One may assume a worldwide resort convention of journey specialists may be a resort’s worst nightmare — regardless of how luxurious the property may be. However the Carlton Cannes crew 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 crew member is 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 wholly completely different design expertise from its Regent siblings I’ve had the luck to remain at in Southern California, Hong Kong and Vietnam. However the resort is consistent with what I and even pals outdoors the journey journalism orbit have famous about Regent: These lodges are nicely staffed with folks at all times pondering a step or two forward of the curve, asking about every part from late checkout to coincide with my night flight on my final day to espresso preferences (maybe my jet lag was exhibiting).

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

The rooms

My Traditional Sea View room was a luxe, cozy retreat with a lovely Mediterranean Sea view. Do not take my phrase for it — simply ask my family and friends who needed to endure thrice-daily unsolicited pictures 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 gasoline sibling rivalry, however rooms begin at round 290 sq. toes on the Carlton Cannes in comparison with 720 sq. toes on the new Regent Santa Monica Seaside — it was nonetheless decadent.

Excessive ceilings, bow home windows and a coloration palette of white, cream and yellow made the area really feel bigger than it was. A curved chaise lounge was the best 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 consistent 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, consistent with “With Compliments,” friends can have three items of clothes laundered throughout their keep.

The comfortable toilet was excellent 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 most interesting.

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 by way of eating places, which incorporates Riviera Restaurant for Mediterranean eating, Ruya Restaurant for Anatolian delicacies, Bar 58, the Camelia Tea Lounge and the Carlton Seaside Membership.

I loved lunch twice on the Carlton Seaside 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 take pleasure in one morning throughout my convention. The intensive unfold included a buffet with charcuterie, cheese, contemporary fruit, a wide selection of French pastries and fresh-squeezed juices. Company can even order a la carte menu choices like omelets. Riviera Restaurant is a enjoyable, vigorous spot, and I want I might had extra time to take pleasure in my begin to the day right here, because it felt like the right place to gasoline up earlier than a day on the seaside or strolling the Croisette for some retail remedy.

Nonetheless, I did at all times discover time to take pleasure in 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 totally throughout each Carlton Cannes restaurant, this area is the place one goes to really feel like a famous person.

However no autographs, please.

Facilities and actions

The Carlton Cannes options Le Membership Health & Spa, a really intensive wellness providing with a fitness center, sauna and remedy rooms for somewhat pampering. Whereas I did not have time for a spa remedy, I attempted to squeeze in a couple of exercises and located the fitness center right here had simply as a lot — if no more — gear as is obtainable at my native Equinox.

It was too chilly outdoors to take pleasure in a dip within the Carlton swimming pool, however the property’s again backyard is at all times up for a celebration. An ice skating rink and winter market have been fairly the draw throughout my keep.

Causes Carlton Cannes may not be for you

Whereas I totally loved my keep at Carlton Cannes, a Regent Resort, no resort is one-size-fits-all. Listed here are some the reason why the resort may not be one of the best to your subsequent trip:

• Cannes will be costly in the summertime. Should you’re on the lookout for a cut price, plan forward (not that this may at all times assist) or use factors.
• All the workers is heat and alluring (I arrived in sweatpants, and I nonetheless bought smiles!), however that is undoubtedly a preferred luxurious resort. Should you’re on the lookout for one thing somewhat extra low-key and off-the-beaten-path, you may wish to look outdoors of Cannes.

Accessibility

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

Testing

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 hitch me for a glass of Champagne.

And after I checked out, I could not assist however really feel somewhat summertime unhappiness, 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 gives a recent, ultraluxurious getaway.

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

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