Review: First in: Hôtel Martinez, Cannes, France

Why book?

This is the centre of La Croisette – the road that curves along the coastline of Cannes, sandwiched between the glittering ocean of the Côte d'Azur and imposing hotel after imposing hotel. Quite literally, Hôtel Martinez - In the Unbound Collection by Hyatt (simply Hôtel Martinez to those in the know) sits more or less plum in the middle of one of France’s most glamorous streets. Symbolically, too; life on La Croisette seems to revolve around Hôtel Martinez, the grandest of all the grand dames here, where shiny, happy people, A-Listers and discerning travellers have flocked for generations.

Set the scene

There's probably a Porsche parked out front. Or a Bentley. When we arrived there were both, but our car nimbly nipped around the two to dispatch us outside the resplendent entrance to this Art Deco mansion. Impeccably turned out staff whisk you through the lobby, where girls with sand on their linen shorts might be heading for a snooze, or smart business travellers mingling with a glass of Champagne. You feel utterly taken care of immediately – the only question on your mind is how quickly you can change into a cocktail dress and high tail it to the bar for a crisp glass of something cold, local and guaranteed to take the edge off a day of travelling.

The backstory

This place seems as French as they come – but the hotel was actually founded by a noble, Italian family from Palermo who had their roots, once upon a time, in Spain. It’s a fittingly aristocratic tale for a Palace Hotel – the eponymous Emmanuel Michele Martinez, son of a baron, bought the land in 1927 and opened it as a hotel for the first time in 1929. After changing hands throughout the 20th century, in 2013 the Hyatt Collection acquired the Art Deco building and began a multi-year, multi-million-pound renovation. The spruced-up, slicker-than-ever space reopened in 2018. But renovation projects have been ongoing since, with the latest stages – astonishing penthouse suites and a surprisingly tranquil garden, pool and spa – open just in time for the 2022 film festival.

The rooms

You’re about 30 seconds walk from the ocean here, a happy fact which Paris-based designer Pierre-Yves Rochon (the man behind The Savoy in London and Hotel George V in his hometown) leaned into. All is pale blue and white and golden, without edging too close to nautical-kitsch. Sea-facing windows let in that glimmering ocean light, but the rooms at the back of the hotel have just as pretty views over the recently manicured gardens and pool (more on that later). The most-coveted of the soaring suites have shady little balconies for a morning coffee made in your living room or a glass of crisp Provençal rosé from the minibar. The long list of high rollers and film stars who make this their base in the city check into a just-opened penthouse suite. On the seventh floor, once home to the gym which was moved to make space, two penthouse apartments span 14,000 sq ft (the average four-bedroom house in the UK, for context, is 1,500 sq ft). Each celebrates an icon of French cinema – Paris-born actress Isabelle Huppert, frequently named one of the best in the world, and Thierry Frémeux, director of the Cannes Film Festival. Of course, there's a private dining area, walk-in wardrobe, screening room and balcony with what might just be the best view in the city. But it's the little touches that make this, one of the biggest penthouses in Europe, so special – from the specially curated scents by Huppert and Frémeux themselves to the bespoke menu created by Jean Imbert, the executive chef at the hotel.

Food and drink

Cannes born-and-bred, Sinicropi has overseen the restaurants at Hôtel Martinez since 2007 – most notably helming La Palme d’Or, the only two Michelin-star restaurant in the city. Here, one of four movements – vegetarian, subtle, pronounced, or progressive – is served overlooking the bay of Cannes from floor-to-ceiling windows that seemingly melt into the views. Each dish in the movement spotlights local, seasonal ingredients cooked in a number of distinct ways – think rabbit served raw and confit, perhaps, or just-smoked trout from Notre-dame De Valcluse. More casual food is the dish of the day at ground floor restaurant Le Jardin, with an emphasis on perfectly cooked seafood. La Plage du Martinez, the hotel’s thrumming beach club, is the table to book for a lunch of palest rosé served with buckets of ice and catch of the day, and the Martinez Bar has a gin menu that you’ll do well to work your way through, with 22 types available. Breakfast might just be the scene-stealer, though – sit outside on the leafy terrace and pile plates high with eggs and bacon, cold cuts, cheeses or (our favourite part) sweet treats from the boulangerie. Here, baskets of just-baked croissants, squidgy brioche and flaky baguettes hang in baskets. Don’t miss the warm madeleines.

The spa

The deceivingly spacious spa is part of the 2022 makeover, in partnership with Carita, a French brand that's been the secret of many a Parisienne over the past six decades. Seven airy treatment rooms offer everything from massages to Carita facials (the Rejuvenic Gold regenerating treatment is especially spoiling); there's a barber, a hairdresser, space for manicures and pedicures and a traditional hammam with deeply soothing tiles. Windows look onto L'Oasis, another sparkling space that's just opened in summer 2022. Manicured gardens lead to a swimming lane – general manager Yann Gillet was clear: this is not a place for dive-bombing or floating in the Mediterranean sun, but a dedicated spot for a few lengths. The whole area is designed as a tranquil refuge from the thrum of the streets outside – the bar serves juices but no alcohol, there's no smoking, no loud music, and no kids allowed. L'Oasis indeed. Health fanatics, take note: this is also where you'll find the swanky new gym.

The neighbourhood

Everyone thinks they know what Cannes will be like – glitzy and luxe, lined with designer shops and expensive restaurants and flashy beach bars. If that’s your scene, you’ll find it here. But there’s also the Old Town, where little cafés and restaurants frill the shady streets and you can climb to the top of the hill for a knockout view of La Croisette below. During the film festival, which takes place each May, life pivots around the Palais de Festival, where all the brightest new films are screened to a sparkly audience.

The service

Beaming staff keep days effortlessly seamless, remembering you from one day to the next at breakfast, offering to take photos at La Plage, not batting an eyelid when requests to tweak meals are made. It all feels very spoiling and yes, a little formal, without being stuffy or overbearing.

Eco effort

The hotel has been Green Globe Certified for more than 10 years, which means it walks the eco-friendly walk. The team are also committed to benefitting Cannes wider community, providing training for young people and people with disabilities.

Accessibility

10 bedrooms are accessible to those with reduced mobility, and lifts and doors have been made accessible for wheelchairs. The lobby, restaurants, bar, terrace, space and gym are also accessible via wheelchair – as is La Plage, which has an exterior lift.

Anything left to mention?

This is a heritage hotel, but one that insists on improving at every available opportunity – and the latest spaces push the bar a notch higher.