5-star hotel
Five Seas Hotel Cannes
Forget the gilded ballrooms of the Croisette’s Grand Dames; the Five Seas Hotel is the brooding, sophisticated younger sibling that refuses to play by the rules. Tucked discreetly behind the Palais des Festivals, this member of Design Hotels acts as a sanctuary for the paparazzi-shy. Interior architect Pascal Allaman has crafted a 'Voyage Immobile' (Motionless Journey) aesthetic that feels less like a hotel and more like the private quarters of a 1920s globetrotter—think oversized travel trunks clad in grey flannel, dark wood veneers, and flashes of cardinal red leather. The real scene-stealer, however, is the rooftop. Here, a 13-meter stainless steel infinity pool slices through the terrace, offering an industrial-chic counterpoint to the city’s terracotta skyline. It is the domain of 'Le Roof,' where Chef Lori Moreau serves a bistronomic menu that skips the clichés; the minute-made guacamole is a crowd favorite, but the seared sea bass with seasonal vegetables is the technical triumph. Service is razor-sharp yet refreshingly unpretentious—a rare find in a city that often prioritizes status over substance. Verdict: The ultimate hideout for the modern aesthete.
