In Cannes, where the Mediterranean glitters like a million diamonds and palm trees sway above one of the most famous promenades on Earth, the intoxicating spirit of Hollywood’s golden age lingers in the warm Riviera air. At the heart of it all stands Hôtel Martinez, an icon of cinematic glamour and breathtaking beauty, where the magic of the Côte d’Azur comes gloriously to life. Here, glamour is not an occasional indulgence. It is a way of life.
Along the legendary Boulevard de la Croisette, magnificent superyachts shimmer just offshore, exquisite boutiques tempt beneath immaculate awnings, and an endless procession of beautiful cars glides past with effortless nonchalance. Vintage convertibles evoke the romance of a bygone era, while Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Bugattis are so comfortably at home that even the most extraordinary examples barely warrant a second glance.
And presiding over this extraordinary boulevard is Hôtel Martinez, one of the most iconic luxury hotels in the world. A magnificent Art Deco masterpiece that has watched over La Croisette since 1929, the Martinez has spent almost a century welcoming royalty, Hollywood legends and fashion icons.
Yet no amount of history, celebrity or prestige can quite prepare you for the feeling of stepping inside. Because there is something about this hotel, and the spellbinding view that awaits beyond its windows, that makes you feel as though you have wandered into a film. And for a little while, you become its leading star.
Once Upon a Time on La Croisette
Long before the paparazzi arrived and the red carpet became synonymous with Cannes, the French Riviera was already enchanting Europe’s aristocracy, artists and most fashionable society figures.
By the early twentieth century, the Côte d’Azur had become a playground for the privileged and the adventurous. Grand hotels rose along the coast, elegant motorcars carried glamorous visitors between seaside villas, and Cannes began cultivating the sophisticated identity that would eventually make it one of the world’s most desirable destinations.
In 1929, at the height of the Roaring Twenties, Hôtel Martinez opened its doors. Conceived by hotelier Emmanuel Martinez, its remarkable Art Deco architecture embodied the optimism and extravagance of the age. With its elegant façade, graceful wrought-iron balconies and extraordinary position overlooking the Mediterranean, it quickly became a symbol of Riviera sophistication.
Then came the movies. The inaugural Cannes Film Festival in 1946 transformed the town into an international stage for cinema, drawing the world’s greatest actors, directors and creative visionaries to its sunlit shores. Suddenly, La Croisette was no longer simply a beautiful promenade. It was a place where legends were born, careers transformed and unforgettable moments unfolded beneath the flash of a thousand cameras.
Hôtel Martinez found itself at the very heart of it all. Its corridors became accustomed to extraordinary company, its entrance a stage for glamorous arrivals, and its magnificent balconies the backdrop for some of the most memorable photographs in Cannes.
One of the hotel’s most wonderfully eccentric moments came when Italian screen legend Gina Lollobrigida was famously photographed riding a camel outside its entrance, in a deliciously theatrical manner.
Bella Hadid has become a familiar presence at the Martinez during the Film Festival, while Anya Taylor-Joy has been photographed arriving beneath its celebrated façade. Beyond the hotel’s doors, stars including Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman have brought their own unforgettable red-carpet glamour to Cannes, continuing a tradition that stretches back generations.
The Most Mesmerising View in the World
The view from Hôtel Martinez takes your breath away. No photograph could ever recreate the overwhelming feeling of standing before something so impossibly magnificent.
From the exquisite Premium Sea View Room, the Mediterranean unfolds its hypnotic beauty. Directly below, La Croisette curves gracefully along the coastline, glamorous and intoxicating. It is framed by majestic palm trees and a seemingly endless succession of elegant beach clubs. Beyond the promenade, immaculate rows of parasols decorate the golden sand, their soft colours creating beautiful geometric patterns against the vivid blue of the sea. The water shifts constantly between turquoise, sapphire and an almost impossible shade of Mediterranean blue.
The Premium Sea View King Room offers 38 square metres of refined Art Deco luxury. A sumptuous king-size bed, dressed in cloud-like pillows and crisp white sheets. There is a luxurious bathtub with a view of the sea, Nespresso coffee maker and an exquisite selection of Dammann Frères teas.
But the greatest luxury of all is waiting beyond the window. One could spend hours gazing at that view, watching the colours shift with the passing sunlight and the action on La Croisette below. You will be enchanted.
Order a bottle of Château Barbeyrolles Pétale de Rose 2024, a beautifully delicate Côtes de Provence rosé from the Saint-Tropez peninsula. It’s an organic, biodynamic rosé, celebrated for its pale pink colour and delicate notes of jasmine, peach and strawberry.
There are few sounds more beautiful than ice cubes dancing against the sides of a silver ice bucket. That delicate, unmistakable clinking of the cubes as they tumble and fall as you lift the perfectly chilled bottle of rosé from its icy embrace, might just be the finest soundtrack to an afternoon on the French Riviera.
Occasionally, those wandering along La Croisette pause and look up towards the hotel’s famous balconies, searching for a glimpse into your world. From your beautiful vantage point, with a glass of chilled rosé in hand and the sun warming your skin, you could be forgiven for feeling like a silver-screen star yourself. After all, this is Cannes.
At Hôtel Martinez, breakfast is a work of art and must be enjoyed from the privacy of your room with that iconic view for company. Exotic fruits arrive adorned with delicate fuchsia flowers, while fresh berries are scattered with buttercup-yellow blossoms. Perfectly golden, flaky croissants and aromatic freshly brewed coffee complete the morning ritual. There is no better start to the day.
Cannes: The World’s Most Glamorous Playground
Eventually, however reluctantly, the irresistible energy of Cannes beckons from below. Step outside Hôtel Martinez and into the intoxicating glamour of La Croisette, where exquisite designer boutiques, fashionable restaurants and magnificent hotels stand beneath swaying palms. Supercars line the boulevard and vintage automobiles glide past with old-world elegance. This is, after all, a billionaire’s playground.
Yet the magic of Cannes belongs to everyone. A leisurely stroll along La Croisette, coffee beneath the Mediterranean sunshine or an afternoon exploring the cobbled streets of Le Suquet can feel every bit as indulgent.
Beyond the glamour, the old town reveals a more romantic side of Cannes, with pastel-coloured buildings, charming restaurants and breathtaking views across the bay. At Marché Forville, fragrant flowers and Provençal delicacies celebrate the French art de vivre, while along the coastline, elegant beach clubs beckon with pristine parasols, beautifully dressed tables and ice-cold rosé. There is simply nowhere quite like the South of France.
La Plage du Martinez: An Afternoon in Paradise
Of all the glorious places to surrender to the sunshine, La Plage du Martinez is particularly enchanting. The hotel’s legendary private beach club captures everything that makes the French Riviera so irresistible. Inspired by the deck of a beautiful vintage yacht, with elegant furnishings and an atmosphere that feels wonderfully inviting.
When hunger calls, the beach club’s refined Mediterranean cuisine celebrates the flavours of the coast. Sink into one of the Hollywood Director chairs emblazoned with the names of Hollywood’s biggest stars, from James Dean to Marilyn Monroe. Order the Avocado with Fig and arugula, followed by the tender Aged and glazed Aubrac beef short rib and Blackberry & rose flower from Grasse entremets for dessert, 30% will be donated to the ‘SOS Cancer du Sein’ association
Soak into the sun-drenched splendour, with its perfect food and flawless service, La Plage du Martinez is the kind of place where you can happily lose an entire afternoon.
As afternoon melts into evening, Cannes takes on an entirely different kind of magic. The brilliant blue Mediterranean deepens to sapphire, the sky dissolves into a delicate watercolour of molten gold, blush pink and lavender, and the palm trees cast long, elegant shadows across La Croisette. As the last rays of sunshine dance across the superyachts, the boulevard begins to sparkle with the promise of another glamorous night. Yet sometimes, the greatest luxury is simply staying in.
At Hôtel Martinez, in-room dining transforms an evening into an occasion, with a magnificent burger, perfectly golden fries, exquisite avocado flowers, delicious pizza and, naturally, another chilled glass of rosé. Beyond the window, the final traces of daylight surrender to a velvet-blue sky, the yachts illuminate like floating jewels and the lights of La Croisette begin to twinkle beneath the palms. While Cannes dresses for an evening of decadence, there is something wonderfully indulgent about watching it all from the comfort of your room, with exceptional food, beautiful wine and a view so mesmerising that leaving feels almost unthinkable.
A Palace in Every Sense of the Word
At the Michelin-starred La Palme d’Or, the golden age of Hollywood comes gloriously to life through its beautiful interiors, breathtaking Mediterranean views and an exquisite celebration of Provençal cuisine. Elsewhere, Le Sud invites leisurely dining on its elegant garden terrace, while the sophisticated Martinez Bar promises beautifully crafted cocktails and lingering evenings. For a moment of pure tranquillity, L’Oasis du Martinez reveals a hidden sanctuary of lush greenery, a magnificent deep-blue swimming pool and the indulgent Spa by Carita. Few hotels move so effortlessly between the exhilarating glamour of the French Riviera and the blissful serenity of complete escape.
In 2026, Hôtel Martinez received an accolade that could scarcely have been more deserved, becoming the first hotel in Cannes to earn the prestigious Palace de France distinction, the highest recognition in French luxury hospitality. Reserved for establishments of exceptional heritage, character and service, it is a fitting tribute to an icon that has defined Riviera glamour for almost a century. Yet the true magic of the Martinez extends far beyond its accolades. It is found in the genuine warmth of every welcome, the extraordinary attention to detail and the effortless anticipation of your every wish.
A Fairytale on the French Riviera
As night falls over Cannes, La Croisette becomes a glittering ribbon of light. Along the shoreline, elegant beach clubs transform into candlelit sanctuaries, the gentle hum of conversation mingling with music carried on the warm Mediterranean breeze. Beyond the swaying palms, magnificent superyachts illuminate the darkening horizon, their golden reflections dancing across the velvet-blue sea. The boulevard comes alive with the seductive energy of another romantic Riviera evening.
At Hôtel Martinez you can lose yourself, however briefly, in a world so enchanting that every day feels like a fairytale. And somewhere between the glittering Mediterranean and the magic of La Croisette, falling helplessly, hopelessly, head over heels in love becomes inevitable.
Hôtel Martinez, 73 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes, France.
