Where some hotels merely seek to host you, Hôtel Martinez seeks to host you in a grand realm of resplendent history, swirled with unparalleled lodgings.
Posing with regal poise along La Croisette’s palm-fringed glamour, this gleaming white Art Deco landmark revels in its gloried trappings of Herculean balconies and sweeping symmetries, all the while playing the gracious muse to a legion of generations from the sphere of illustrious cinema, aristocratic royals, and beau-monde beachside romantics.
To have this esteemed, multi award winning spectacle award me the honour to call this cherished property home for the night, felt beyond a fairytale fantasy fable awakened as I experienced first hand, this prestigious establishment that continues to everlastingly pursue and bewitch their guests with a gourmet attire of ambrosial dining, and impeccable hosting while swathed in a cocoon of lavish European magnificence.
A Sacred Legacy Cocooned in Blue and Gold
Built and brought to luminous life in February 1929, it was the son of noble family members Baron Giovanni Martinez and Giuseppa Labiso Costanza, Emmanuel Michele Martinez and his palatial hospitality vision that saw an exquisite hotel sanctuary exuding Mediterranean tropical warmth, twirled with a discerning Parisian polish built for a clientele who would expect Baccarat glasses at breakfast, and a Steinway piano in the salon.
Throughout the golden decades, Hôtel Martine has championed in embracing and welcoming a glittering assemblage of luminaries from Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor to the Coen brothers, all hypnotically enticed by the hotel’s honeyed glow, and unapologetic glamour. It was then in 2018 that the hotel underwent a princely renaissance of the utmost splendour under the scrupulous stewardship of design maestro Pierre-Yves Rochon, weaving his aesthetic sorcery to preserve the property’s treasured soul, with a revived contemporary flair.
As we jet-set into the 21st Century, Hôtel Martinez proudly makes it presence within the deluxe Unbound Collection by Hyatt, a flawlessly curated hotel library of some of the globe’s most distinctively historic and modernistic hospitality marvels all destined to shun commonplace hotel clichés, and effortlessly balance their cherished legacy with a dose of newfangled panache.
Greeted with infectious zest by the besuited hosts, the team took to relieving me from the tiresome burden of my featherlight belongings, before being chaperoned into the ethereal spectacle of this courtly Rivièra haven renowned to have had many a guest’s heart skip a beat, or three.
A captivating sweeping backdrop enveloped in balmy sun-kissed rays, the colour palette read like a love letter to the tranquil pristine coast, with tones of glossed smooth ivory against lashings of antique gold, all elevated amongst the brush of a rich yet soothing blue shade as the tones rested amongst the adornments of a radiant terrazzo, brushed brass and curved Deco lines to flawlessly play to a nod to THAT, flamboyant Gatsby era.
Diligently working to complete the check-in formalities, champagne in hand, the ever gallant troupe sought to have me swiftly whisked into the haven of my lavish home from home, and finally set in motion the 48 hours of my regal European crusade.
Hôtel Martinez’s Luxurious Accommodation
Hôtel Martinez takes unlimited glee in playing the eternally honourable host to 410 resplendent rooms and suites, with each abode mirroring a decorous ode to the Côte d’Azur as some choose to unearth the serene setting of a balmy balcony, whilst others frame the sparkling blue sea like a capture from a Nouvelle Vague film.
Generously sweeping out to a sizeable 400 sq ft, the Deluxe Rooms play to a 1930s grace, reimagined with the sensibilities of a modern collector of a sleek flat-screen TV, Nespresso machine and climate control. Tailored in a sea-tinted palette of rich cream, pastel blue, and warm sandy hues, slick wooden flooring sits cushioned by feather-soft textured rugs, whilst theatrical brushed gold accents and Carrara clad bathrooms channel a kind of Gatsby-on-holiday fantasy.
The Premium Rooms seek to elevate the experience a little further, refined, expansive, and curated for discerning vacationers who quite love to relish a lingering morning with a fragrant in-room espresso, whilst basking amongst the soothing patio breeze.
Soaring above all these queenly chambers, floats the hotel’s celestial offering of the Penthouse Apartment. With over 1,000 square metres of indulgent space, this extravagant abode takes prides in its prestige as one of one of Europe’s most colossal grandest penthouses, as a secluded terrace spills across the rooftop offering majestic vistas of the Mediterranean and Cannes’ red-carpet coastline, doubling up as a sanctuary of meticulously curated artwork, rare furnishings, and cinematic drama.
Always and forever the Hôtel Martinez perfectionists heightening the translation of five-star indulgence to lofty magnitudes, the management team found it proper to escort me into my “humble” bonny boudoir, of the Junior Suite Sea View King. Not just any lavish suite, but a Riviera narrative in soft focus stretching out to a glorious 538 sq ft, whilst exuding a cinematic aura showcased like priceless art through the floor-to-ceiling French doors.
Billowy, light curtains fluttered amongst the salty fresh sea breeze to reveal lashings of golden light pools across the bleached oak floors like champagne on silk, whilst the king-sized bed came tailored in crisp, cloudlike linen, bordered by fluted bedside panels, to evoke a vintage steamer trunk setup.
My eyes delightfully drifted to the sumptuous pale grey velvet chaise, yearning for a sedated afternoon of merrily reading or to indulge with a flute of 1, while the bathroom bedecked in pristine, gleaming marble played to a private spa ritual notion.
Well acquainted and wholly knowledgable of my plus one guest’s birthday year and her ardent passion for a glass or four of the pale pink drink, a gentle get sturdy tap on the door had no sooner found us in the company of artistic pastry treats, and two bottles of icy chilled rose bustling with red fruit and floral notes to set in place, the vibe for our evening affairs of incomparable, wanton wining and dining.
Liquid Gold Mixology At The Martinez Bar
The Martinez Bar, a debonair cocktail backdrop which is not so much entered as it is discovered, as it hides behind sweeping velvet curtains to unveil a moody, coy yet sultry amber light to imitate an ultra-exclusive private members club, interweaved with a quintessential French film set.
Decorative mosaic like flooring was polished to a radiant mirror shine, as curvaceous armchairs in deep sapphire velvet hues had married in harmony against the unspoilt walls dressed in panels of lacquered wood, appearing to whisper of infectious jazz jingles, and tapes of scandalous debauchery while a colossal grand piano sat elegantly unbothered in the corner.
The suave getup of the dashing cocktail bar itself rests as a testament to a luminous altar to the art of drinking. Backlit shelves rose in tiers like theatre boxes, all hosting a glittering constellation of spirits of highly prized Beluga Gold Line vodka, aged Cognacs, and rare small-batch vermouths. Apothecary-style bottles of bitters and floral infusions were arranged like precious relics, whilst a vintage crystal decanter sat beside a silver absinthe spoon for the perfect pour performance.
Standing tall at the helm of the bar stood the maestro mixologist brigade, suited and booted, with seductively gallant grins as they greeted us with a mischievous wink of the eye, all set to show off their cocktail mastery. The crew don’t simply strive to make delicious drinks, they seek to create dramatic, sublime narratives in a glass, all delivered with a dose of fine flourish.
Shunning my predictive preference for a ruby red Cosmopolitan, the evening of aperitif decadence had come to life with a prettified La Vie en Rose creation, revealing fresh raspberry and fragrant, delicate rosewater, shaken to a pale blush and crowned with edible petals. Delicate but not demure, juicy, yet floral and unapologetically flirtatious, the cocktail felt like the scent trail of a silk Hermès scarf left behind.
Concluding the hedonistic mixology escapade was the Beluga Gold Martini. A drink with the posture of royalty swimming with smoothly viscous Beluga Gold Line vodka, the spirit unveiled light vanilla peppered notes and a whisper of Noilly Prat, all oozing of pure, glacial elegance served ice-cold in a stemmed glass, and dusted with a lemon zest garnishing for a cocktail not only for conversation, but for contemplation.
Sybaritic Feasting Flirtations
A dining encounter at Hôtel Martinez is so much more than a luxury meal, it’s a choreography of seasonal refined flavours, exotic locations, and a symphony of moods, from sun-kissed champagne luncheons in neighbouring vision of the golden powdered beach, to cocktail-fuelled conversations under art deco ceilings.
Each glitterati eatery hones in on telling its own unique epicurean tale, all the while flowing with that toothsome confidence as a well-heeled Cannes society, strictly oozing of poised sapid elegance sprinkled with a pinch of divine bon ton drama.
Dinner at La Palme d’Or feels less like a meal and more like a grand feast reveal, with a Michelin star glittering discreetly on its cuff as the restaurant is helmed by the illustrious Chef Jean Imbert, who endeavours to bring both precision and poetry to the plate. Housed on the hotel’s first floor with panoramic sea views, the dining room unfolds in cinematic tones of gold and cream, framed by palm fronds and soft conversation.
The langoustine with caviar whispers of indulgence, while a pigeon dish arrives wreathed in aromas like a scene from a vintage French film. Wines are French, fabulous, and chosen with courtly flair by the sommelier. This isn’t fine dining, it is haute cuisine sensory theatre that is immersive, glamorous, and just a little surreal.
Overseen again by Chef Jean Imbert, the all-day brasserie of Le Sud feels like the playful younger sister of La Palme d’Or; breezier and bolder, aroused with the powerful heady of Provençal herbs dotted around the space, as muted banquettes and terrazzo flooring lend to a playful retro-modern touch to the hotel.
The zucchini blossoms had no sooner made their appearance, delicate and crisp, golden to reveal a velvet ricotta filling enveloped with lemon zest and fresh herbs, whilst the Vitello Tuna Tartare represented a poetic collision of land and sea, topped with an ethereal emulsion of tuna and caper that danced between umami and citrus.
My beef tenderloin, seared to a blushing medium-rare cut like buttered satin, placed atop a bed of earthy truffled mash and slicked with a veal jus so lustrous it appeared to catch the light. Each bite was a lesson in wholesome refinement, while the Harissa red mullet arrived varnished in moreish spices, and kissed with smoke as the flesh flaked into coral-pink, succulent petals.
The ever cultured sommelier saw it proper to marry the meal with the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, dense and distinct, with the robust tang of sweet black cherries to cut through the mains’ rich flavour profiles.
Where the Mediterranean quite literally laps at your toes, we have the hotel’s glamorous beach club restaurant of Plage du Martinez. Open to both guests and designer-clad wanderers alike, the aesthetics play to a pukka perfect barefoot luxury, bathing in classy pastels, pale woods, and flashes of aquamarine blue beneath white parasols. It is right here that Chef Jean Imbert’s touch turns coastal classics into Riviera reveries.
Jean’s Avocado, lustrous, tender with a nutty profile was served delicately fanned and dressed in citrus, wild herbs, and olive oil, whilst the meaty La Bouillabaisse lobster was served in a rich lightly creamed Provençal broth, bustling with sweet honeyed tones of real saffron, and mellow earthed fennel, cradling tender flaked fish for a rustic elegance, swirled with sea air and silk.
But it was the champagne that truly defined the afternoon; Veuve Clicquot, chilled to perfection and poured with the frequency of a flirtation. Flutes appeared with effortless regularity, always just before you noticed your glass had emptied. Waiters in sun-faded polos glided between daybeds with a dancer’s grace, topping up bubbles as if time didn’t apply here.
Breakfast at Hôtel Martinez isn’t simply served, it unfolds like the Riviera morning itself. Taken in the luminous garden-facing conservatory or al fresco beneath lemon trees, linen-draped tables were topped with silver cafetières and handmade jams, while waiters moved with the elegant calm of a bygone age.
The resplendent buffet regale was magnificent, as flaky, still-warm croissants neighboured platters of silken velvet Burrata and ripe heirloom tomatoes, not to neglect those cooked-to-order egg choices in every fashion, washed down with an assemblage of fresh juices with the tastes of moorish liquid sunshine.
Silk Muscles and Riviera Sunlight: The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing (Perfectly)
Cocooned in a hushed wing of the hotel, L’Oasis du Martinez revealed itself like a secret whispered through jasmine-scented air. The moment the glass doors slid open, the Croisette seemed to dissolve behind you, the colour palette whispered bare serenity with sandstone creams, pale eucalyptus, and soft-edged lighting that glowed like candlelight trapped in silk. Columns stood like Grecian goddesses, whilst the air was perfumed with hints of bitter orange neroli and earthy bergamot.
My treatment room was a sanctuary wrapped in ivory linen, with soft backlit panels that mimicked daylight, while sheer curtains moved lazily in the air-conditioned calm. The massage bed itself, dressed in the softest white towelling, cradled me like a lullaby, as my therapist eased a warm aromatic lavender oil into my skin, taking in each movement with the grace of ritual as I felt my bones soften and the Riviera hum fall away.
The pool at Hôtel Martinez isn’t merely a place to swim; it’s a curated Riviera mise-en-scène where elegance drapes itself over every sun lounger, and the sunlight performs a daily ballet. Framed by Art Deco geometry and citrus trees, the space hums with golden ease as the water, dipped in an impeccable shade of aquamarine, seems almost too flawless to disturb, all the while bordered by pristine ivory tiles that feel cool even in the peak scorching Summer.
For those with more resolve, the fitness studio offers up the topmost Technogym equipment, reformer Pilates, and a floor-to-ceiling view of the Riviera that can make one almost forget they are doing those tiresome sweats.
Beyond the hotel grounds, Cannes awaits, purring with couture shops, vintage convertibles, and private boats moored like jewels along the Croisette. You could charter a yacht to Île Sainte-Marguerite, sip rosé above the clouds at Cloud Nine, or take in a private tour of Villa Rothschild.
The Martinez Conclusion
To stay at Hôtel Martinez is to step into a world that understands beauty as a language, spoken fluently in fine linen, crystal stemware, and the amber hush of a Riviera dusk. It doesn’t whisper luxury. It purrs it, unapologetically. From the cinematic sweep of the Croisette to the swish of martinis stirred beneath Art Deco arches, every moment at Martinez felt exquisitely considered, yet effortless, as though the hotel had simply dreamt itself into being.
Whether wrapped in Egyptian cotton in a dazzling suite or tracing the curve of a martini glass at Martinez Bar, I wasn’t merely pampered, I was seen, styled, and steeped in old-Hollywood elegance. Hôtel Martinez wasn’t just another five-star hotel stay. It was a love affair with Cannes.
