How to spend a luxury weekend in Cannes

A more difficult question to answer might be how to spend anything other than a luxury weekend in Cannes, this stunning location on the French Riviera simply oozes luxury. Whether you want to sample Michelin quality food, shop in exclusive boutiques, sunbathe amongst the rich and famous, or simply rest up in an elegant hotel, Cannes can offer you all of that and more. We’ve put together this itinerary as a starting point for where your luxury weekend could take you, but as long as your purse is big enough, the sky really is the limit.

Sunbathe at the Festival Palace Beach
What better way to start off your weekend than by soaking up some sunshine? There are plenty of beaches to choose from in Cannes but the one where you’re most likely to spot celebrities (that isn’t a private beach) is The Festival Palace Beach. This beach is the most central and the white sands slope gently towards the crystal clear water. It’s perfect for swimming thanks to the gentle slope and the soft sand couldn’t be better for sunbathing. You can take a towel and lie right on the beach, or you can hire sunbeds if you’d like a little extra comfort. You’re so close to the old town here that you can pop into any of the cafes for a refreshment before you head back.

Stay at the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez Cannes
Once you’ve had your fill of the beach, head back to your hotel to freshen up ready for the evening. There are plenty of high-end hotels in Cannes, but The Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez is one of the very best. Not only is it situated right in the center of town, in Le Croisette, but it also boasts five hard-earned stars. All of the rooms have spectacular views, either of the old shopping district, the ocean, or the harbour. You can choose which of the views you’d like at the time of booking. This hotel has been in the very same spot since 1929, so it’s had almost a century to perfect providing the ultimate luxury to guests. The rooms all have an art déco flavour to them, with some even featuring stunning art walls. Despite the turn of the century styling, they are still appointed with all of the amenities you’d expect from a modern 5-star hotel. It turns out that you really can have the best of both worlds.

Experience luxury gaming at the Casino Barriere Le Croisette
As your hotel is so conveniently located in Le Croisette, it would almost be rude not to visit one of the most star-studded casinos in Europe. Visiting the Casino Barriere Le Croisette is unlike any other casino experience that you may have had before. This casino is not only one of the very largest in France, but it’s also by far the most luxurious. There are all of the table games you could hope for here, including french roulette, which gives you better odds than the American version, as well as plenty of slots to choose from too. Enjoying a drink at the bar is a wonderful way to prepare yourself for the evening’s dining. The bar itself is totally over the top and opulently decorated and the cocktails that you’ll be served are prepared in a wonderfully flamboyant manner. Once you’ve finished your drinks, it’s off out for dinner. Although Cannes cannot yet be considered the casino capital of the world, it offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy all its charms.

Eat at La Cave

There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Cannes, including the famous double Michelin Starred Palm D’Or. Whilst that would be a lovely venue for another night, your first night ought to be spent at La Cave. Although this restaurant boasts no Michelin stars, the convivial atmosphere, excellent wine list, and friendly staff make this one of the most welcoming restaurants on the riviera. Set in an old family-owned wine store, it’s no surprise that tradition and wine are kings here.

The dining style is laid-back with fresh produce at the heart of every dish. Favourites like garlicky frog’s legs with parsley always feature, but so too do more adventurous dishes like tempura courgette flowers, stuffed with sharp goat’s cheese. Order plenty and savour every mouthful.

The article How to spend a luxury weekend in Cannes first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.