Top 5 best hotels on the beach in French Riviera, France

The gem of the famous Croisette promenade – the heart of Cannes – is the Martinez hotel. It opened here in 1920 and continues to delight its guests, embodying the carefreeness and chic of the resort.

Right in front of the hotel is an exclusive sandy beach. On one side, guests can relax in comfortable loungers, while on the other side, they can sit in the restaurant that serves Mediterranean cuisine.

Located 15 minutes from the hotel is the famous Boulevard de la Croisette and the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.

All rooms are decorated in an elegant Art Deco style using colors that embody Cannes. I particularly liked the Oasis Suite Terrace, which seems especially festive and suitable for celebrating a birthday. It features a spacious terrace and a living room. The Junior Suites with sea views are also excellent. They are decorated in light tones, and the sea view is definitely a plus.

The hotel features the restaurant La Palme d'Or, which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024. At the heart of the hotel, the restaurant Le Sud with a large summer terrace invites you to try dishes of innovative cuisine with Mediterranean influences.

Large outdoor pool is a wonderful complement to swimming in the sea. 

Not all guests liked the breakfasts at the hotel, they say they are too monotonous.

A hotel with a history, located in the heart of Cannes.

A beautiful era welcomes every guest within the walls of the Carlton Cannes hotel. It is incredibly stylish, every detail designed as if you have entered the Belle Epoque with its art, literature, and festive atmosphere.

Just cross the Croisette Boulevard, stretching along the waterfront, and you are at the hotel's private beach. A restaurant, sun loungers for guests, a wooden pier, and an incredibly relaxed atmosphere – this is how it presents itself to guests.

The hotel is located on the Boulevard de la Croisette – perhaps the most famous promenade of the French Riviera. It is a 10-minute walk from the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès with the nearby Walk of Fame. 

I am sure that the interiors of the rooms in this hotel will appeal to even the most demanding tourists. Your gaze glides over the surrounding environment, and you feel completely cozy in the bright, stylish rooms. The Classic and Premium rooms, measuring 27 and 37 square meters respectively, are designed in pristine white tones. The living area is surrounded on all sides by windows, making it a pleasure to admire the sea or the courtyard.

The Mediterranean brasserie is located on the terrace with panoramic glazing. From here, stunning views of the coastline open up. If desired, guests can choose a table in the open air. Dishes of Anatolian cuisine await guests at the Ruya restaurant. In the mornings, the hotel invites guests to a breakfast "buffet," with most who try it remaining satisfied.

Fitness, SPA, and yoga classes by the sea – a complete list of what to expect from a birthday retreat. Putting my thoughts in order to the sound of the waves is my dream.

Guests were disappointed with the size of the bathrooms – many found them to be small.

Excellent private beach across the road from the hotel. Great location on the main boulevard of the city. 

Cannes is a true treasure trove of luxurious beachfront hotels. This hotel is also located in the city of cinema and offers its guests literally everything for a luxurious vacation: incredible views from the windows, an on-site casino, and even a shopping center.

This hotel and the neighboring one share a single beach. There are sun loungers and umbrellas available for rent at an additional cost. Also, on the sandy beach, there is a pier for swimming and a rental station for watersport equipment.

The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is located 10 minutes from the hotel. There are many trendy restaurants and bars near the hotel, and the Boulevard de la Croisette is always at your disposal.

Black-and-white cinema is the main theme of the room decor. Each room features frames from films that participated in the Cannes Festival. You can choose a Deluxe room with a view of the garden or the sea, or a spacious Prestige room overlooking a quiet green courtyard.

Italian cuisine dishes are a special delight. They are available at the Scalini hotel restaurant. Every morning a continental breakfast is served here. Palais Stephanie is open on the beach, where you can have a snack without taking your eyes off the beautiful sea view. 

One of the main advantages of this hotel is the rooftop terrace with a pool. I am ready to admire the panorama of the French Riviera from here endlessly. You can try your luck in the hotel's own casino. I have always been afraid to go to such places, but perhaps a birthday is just the right time to give it a try?

The main reason for guests' dissatisfaction is the paid sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach.

The hotel is located in the very center of Cannes, and from its rooftop, where there is a pool, there are wonderful views.

Le Negresco first opened its doors in Nice in 1913. It immediately attracted the attention of famous actors, musicians, and politicians. Salvador Dali, Princess Grace of Monaco, Elton John, and many others have visited here. The owners have preserved the details of its original appearance, and now one can imagine what it is like to be a famous artist, drawing inspiration from looking at the sea from the window of a room.

The hotel’s private beach features a gentle entry into the water, sun loungers, umbrellas, and a restaurant surrounded by elegant greenery, shielding it from the outside world. The combination of the beach and greenery, complemented by the light fabrics of the loungers and sofas in the restaurant, looks simply stunning.

The hotel has a stunning location! Next to it stands the elegant Villa Massena with a Museum of History and Art inside. The Museum of Fine Arts is located 15 minutes away. You can reach the old town of Nice in 10 minutes on foot.

Each room is the embodiment of French style. Delicate silk coverings on the walls and antique furniture give the decor a special charm, while elegant textiles with intricate patterns make you stop to examine them. The hotel offers rooms in five different categories, as well as six Suite rooms and 12 special Signature Suites.

The Le Chantecler restaurant, decorated in the style of the 18th century, boasts a Michelin star and a luxurious selection of dishes made from local ingredients. The hotel's second restaurant, La Rotonde, is more modern and keeps pace with the French Riviera.

The hotel has recently updated its SPA center, and guests say it's a must-visit!

Some rooms are outdated and need refurbishment. Guests were disappointed by the high sound transmission between rooms – the hotel is historic, and the floors are not modern enough to provide complete sound insulation.

A hotel with history and unique interiors. Perhaps the age of the furniture and the repairs in the rooms is a charm rather than a drawback.

The hotel, resembling a small castle, offers complete privacy for its guests. It is located in the town of Saint-Raphaël, a popular vacation spot for celebrities, athletes, and politicians. And they choose it for good reason: it is quieter than the large cities of the French Riviera, and its bays are sheltered from the waves.

On a narrow path located beside the hotel, you can quickly reach the Blue Flag awarded d'Arène Grosse beach. It is surrounded by rocky shores on both sides, while in the middle there is a sandy area with a comfortable entry into the water. 

Nearby the hotel is the Boulouris sur Mer station, from which you can reach both nearby towns and farther destinations, such as Monte Carlo.

The Elegance rooms on the first floor have an area of 20 square meters and are equipped with their own small terrace. The Superior rooms boast spaciousness, a private terrace, and a jacuzzi. They offer the option of a sea view or direct access to the pool. My favorite is the Sea View Terrace room, which has its own terrace with a view of the sea. The same beautiful view is available right from the bed in the room.

The wonderful restaurant Le Bougainvillier seemed to me to be the perfect place to celebrate a birthday! It offers a beautiful view of the coast, and its chef is the winner of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2023 award.

The hotel has two pools, one is small and located in the shade of trees, while the other is an infinity pool with a view of the sea. If you are renting a car, the hotel's own parking (paid) will be useful.

Despite the fact that the area of the rooms meets the standards, many guests found the bathrooms and toilets to be too cramped.

Privacy, excellent beach with Blue Flag. Good hotel infrastructure.