In our opinion, it's the only acceptable luxury hotel in Cannes.  The site was originally a private villa known as 'La Coquette' and built by English aristocrats during the real estate boom of late 19th Century, later acquired by the exiled King of Naples until becoming the Hotel Martinez in 1929. The hotel is situated on the famous La Croisette Promenade, and is just a few blocks from the excitement of the Palm Beach Casino and the Palais des Festivals – site of the Cannes Film Festival. After extensive remodeling through much of the early 2000's, a distinguished marble lobby exemplifies art-deco design with a modern reception area decorated with brown-leather club chairs and clerks seated at bank-like desks.

The Martinez lobby area adjoins a casual poolside bistro, oh-so-stuffy Michelin-rated La Palme d'Or restaurant and lively piano bar popular with Russian moguls and their platinum-blonde accessories. A seventh floor spa, once operated by Givenchy, offers a cosmetic sanctuary with beauty treatments and massage options as well as a well-furnished fitness center. A small access-way connects the hotel with a lavish beach club, named Z-Plage in 2004, with top-notch mattress service and flavorful restaurant stocked with Riviera eye-candy. 

The Room:

Currently it’s the only luxury hotel in Cannes with updated guest rooms and hotel facilities at a 5-star standard – in our opinion. While all accommodations have been remodeled from the hotel’s rose-velvet heyday, there is still a lingering datedness to non-view and standard guest rooms. The largest hotel in Cannes, well-kept hallways evoke a sense of the roaring twenties as vintage elevators connect the seven floors to the main lobby. Standard rooms offer beige-striped walls with shiny-maple furnishings and colorful modern artwork. The best rooms are on the top floor, known as the Prestige rooms, individually decorated with nautical touches and art-deco furnishings. Bathrooms are all spaciously designed, especially for a historic hotel, with marble showers and separate bathtubs offering one of the best toiletry selections in France. The upgraded rooms also feature expansive terraces overlooking the Mediterranean, especially popular during the Cannes Film Festival for private parties and celebrity soirees.