Everyone knows that Cannes is a major tourist town ...
Accommodation in Cannes can be a minefield, and there are several options for every visitor to Cannes and many things that should be considered when choosing your accommodation options and preferences! We have done our best below to give some good and relatively impartial advice and observations that we have built up over our years in business in Cannes!
Which is best for any traveller depends alot on many variable factors ...
- Your Personal Preference
- Your Budget
- Security and Safety
- Number of guests
- Privacy concerns
- Prestige Factor
Hotel Accommodation in Cannes
hotels are certainly in plentiful supply here, but there never seems to be enough of them when major media events like the International Film Festival (more commonly known as the Festival de Cannes) and the MIDEM (record and music production festival) come to town.
It is also often the case that a Hotel can be an EXPENSIVE OPTION, and that costs can be significantly reduced by staying in an Apartment Suite.
Therefore often Apartment style accommmodation is very popular. And if your budget extends to it, Villas too! The advantages are many, including normally much more space and a more private and exclusive atmosphere.
This is the most personal of many peoples consideration process. Some people LOVE Hotels, many prefer the privacy of a serviced Apartment Suite and some want to (and can afford to!) stay in a Villa or even on a Yacht!
All offer a different experience, and all have their pluses and minuses. Luckily for those searching for accommodation in Cannes, there are options to suit every wish!
| Apartment Accommodation | Villas for rent | Yacht Charter |
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Althought the French Riviera is typically a very expensive and exclusive destination, with the proper planning and thought a solution can be found for most budgets.
Depending on the time of the year and also the size of the group, it is generally accepted that an Apartment will be more cost effective than a Hotel for stays of 3 days or more, and a Villa will be more cost effective than a Hotel for stays of a week or more.
There is of course alot of variance depending on the exact apartment, villa and hotel in Cannes which is used for the comparisons, but that is a good rule of thumb!
Hotels have a STAR RATING that helps one to understand what kind of quality and security you are reserving.
If you are reserving an apartment or a Villa there is no such official rating. There are measures that you can take to protect your own interests, though ...
- CRITICAL - Legitimate companies should be BONDED by the FNAIM (Federation Nationale des Agents Immobilieres) in France. Ask for the companies bonding number, and check it on the FNAIM website (http://www.fnaim.fr)
- Reserve through an accredited agency (as above) or a respected consolidator (Azur-Online.com, Lastminute.com, Expdia.com etc etc)
- DO NOT reserve directly with a Property Owner. Although possiblly cheaper ...
- You will not benefit from any insurance
- You will not benefit from a professional code of conduct
- You will have no legal or moral recourse if you do not get what you expect
- Property Owners are prone to exagerating their own properties benefits, and keeping back their downfalls!
- Make your own enquires. Google the company. See if there is any feedback on them
- Ask for detailed photos/ descriptions and a Map Location link. All are easy to provide these days!
The number of people that you are travelling with and the groups makeup are of premimum importance! Especially for slightly larger groups if they are keen to optimise by sharing in Twin or double arrangments, or if they will use Sofabeds (NOTE: Sofabeds in France are normally very very comfortable and a direct equivalent of a proper bed!) costs can be cut considerably by staying in a larger apartment.
Terminology:
- Studio - An apartment which has a single open plan living area. Always with a seperate, full Bathroom and a fully fitted kitchen and often a terrace or other outside space
- Twin - A bedroom with 2 x single beds or some other method of sleeping 2 people seperately
- Double - A bedroom with double bed
- Sofabed - A convertible sofa/ bed which can be used as either. Commonly, but not exclusively, found in the living room of any given apartment.
Rules of Thumb:
- Studios - 1 or 2 people sharing, either TWIN or DOUBLE's are commonly avaiable
- One Bedroomed - Sleep up to 4, generally, normally either with a TWIN & a DOUBLE or else 2 DOUBLES
- Two Bedroomed - Sleep up to 6. Normally at least one TWIN, and a double and a sofabed or 2 x TWINS
- Three Bedroomed - Sleep up to 8. Normally a combination of 3 x TWINS or DOUBLES and a double sofabed
- ... and onwards and upwards!
- Villas - Vary hugely according to descriptions. Worth checking if unsure!
Hotels can often be very impersonal and normally far greater exclusivity and privacy can be attained staying in private rented accommodation, be that an Apartment or a Villa or a Yacht.
Where privacy is a serious concern, properties with complete security systems and state of the art surveillance can be sought, or if you have more simple requirements it can still be nice to have your own private space with no chance of being disturbed and without the restrictions of hotel rooms.
Last but not least, there is most definately the prestige factor to consider!
Cannes, perhaps more than most towns has a "wow factor" at every level! From the exlusive Carlton and Martinez Hotels on the Croisette to the Luxury Super Yachts and suptuous Villas right through to the stylish and contemporary apartments one can rent, there is wow factor at every level!
Once again, at this point it comes back to your personal preferences!!
