Honestly, if you’re looking for a hotel in Cannes that makes you feel like a movie star without actually charging you the "celebrity tax," you usually end up in a bit of a pickle. You either stay at the big-name palaces like the Carlton or the Majestic and drop a month’s rent on a weekend, or you end up in a windowless box three miles from the beach.
But then there’s the Hotel Splendid in Cannes France.
It sits right there, smack in the middle of everything, looking out over the masts of the Old Port and the red carpet of the Palais des Festivals. It’s been there since 1871. Think about that. When this place opened its doors, Napoleon III had just been ousted and the "Belle Époque" was barely a whisper. It is officially the oldest hotel in Cannes that has stayed open continuously.
I’ve seen people walk right past it because it doesn’t have the flashy, neon-lit entrance of the modern resorts. That is their mistake.
The History Nobody Talks About (Napoleon and Offenbach)
Most people think Cannes started with the Film Festival in 1946. Wrong.
The spot where the Hotel Splendid stands has a weirdly cool history that predates the actual building. Before it was the Splendid, it was a tiny inn called the Gazielle. Local lore says that Pauline Bonaparte—Napoleon’s sister—slept there in 1815 after her brother escaped from Elba and landed at nearby Golfe-Juan.
Imagine that for a second. You’re brushing your teeth in a room where Napoleonic royalty might have been pacing the floor two centuries ago.
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By 1871, the inn grew into a three-story hotel, and by the "Belle Époque," it was the place to be. Jacques Offenbach, the guy who basically invented the French operetta and gave the world the "Can-Can" music, spent the entire winter of 1874 living here. Back then, Cannes was a winter destination for the English gentry, not a summer one. It was too hot for the aristocrats in July!
They didn't even add the top two floors until 1905. When they did, they gave it that iconic Art Deco facade with the white friezes and balconies that still look exactly the same today.
What it’s Actually Like to Stay There in 2026
If you’re expecting a high-tech "smart hotel" where the curtains open via an iPad, keep walking. The Hotel Splendid is a bit of a time capsule, but in a way that feels cozy rather than dusty.
The rooms are a mix. You've got the standard city-side rooms which are fine—they’re clean, about 15 to 18 square meters, and perfectly functional for a business trip. But honestly? If you book a city-side room here, you’re doing it wrong.
You go to the Splendid for the Sea View.
The south-facing rooms look directly over the Vieux Port (Old Port). You can see the yachts, the Lérins Islands in the distance, and the Suquet (the old town hill). The light in the morning is that specific filtered gold that the Impressionist painters used to lose their minds over.
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The Noise Factor
Let’s be real: you are in the heart of Cannes.
- The Palais des Festivals is 50 meters away.
- The Casino is right there.
- The bars on Rue Félix Faure are literally downstairs.
If you want total silence, go to a monastery in the Alps. But the Splendid has surprisingly thick walls and soundproofed windows. Once you shut those heavy shutters at night, the "thump-thump" of the nearby clubs like Bissou Bissou fades into a dull hum.
The Logistics: Prices, Breakfast, and Valet
Pricing in Cannes is a rollercoaster. During the Film Festival in May or the Lions in June, the rates at Hotel Splendid can skyrocket to over €400 or €500 a night, often requiring full prepayment months in advance. But in the shoulder seasons—think October or February—you can snag a room for around €120 to €200.
That is an absolute steal for this location.
Breakfast is served in the Offenbach lounge or on the terrace. It’s a solid continental spread. It’s about €20 to €25 depending on if you go for the buffet, which is a bit pricey, but you’re paying for the view of the square and the sea.
Pro Tip: There is a tiny, slow elevator. It’s charming, but if you’re in a rush to catch a train at the Cannes station (which is only a 5-minute walk away), give yourself an extra few minutes.
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Is it Better than the "Palace" Hotels?
It depends on what you value. The big 5-star hotels on the Croisette offer "bling." They have doormen in white gloves and marble lobbies that feel like museums.
The Splendid is owned by the Cagnat family, who have been running hotels since 1889. They bought this one in 1974. You can tell. The staff—people like Juliana at the front desk—actually remember your name. It’s warmer. It’s less about being "seen" and more about actually enjoying Cannes.
You’re also at the gateway to Le Suquet. While the people at the Carlton have to walk 15 minutes to get to the historic old town, you’re already there. You can walk out the back door and be eating moules-frites in a cobblestone alley within three minutes.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
If you’re planning a stay, here is how to maximize the experience:
- Request Room 204 or 509: These are often cited by regulars as having some of the best unobstructed views of the harbor and the red carpet.
- Book the "Terrace Room" if possible: There are specific rooms with large, south-facing private terraces. They come with sun loungers. Having your own private sun deck in the middle of Cannes is a massive flex.
- Skip the rental car: Parking in Cannes is a nightmare. The hotel is 300 meters from the SNCF train station and 30 meters from the Pantiero public parking lot if you must drive, but the city is entirely walkable from this spot.
- Check the Festival Calendar: If there is a major convention at the Palais, the area will be crowded and loud. If you want a peaceful romantic getaway, aim for the weeks between the major events.
- Use the Lounge Bar: The hotel recently opened a new lounge bar with tapas and cocktails. It’s a great spot to people-watch without the inflated prices of the beachfront bars.
The Hotel Splendid isn't trying to be the fanciest hotel in the world. It’s trying to be a reliable, historic, and incredibly well-located home base. For most travelers who actually want to experience the "real" Cannes—the market at Marché Forville, the old port, and the historic streets—it’s arguably the best choice in the city.