Highlights
- The place to see and be seen in Cannes.
- Impeccable traditional French cuisine in the signature Fouquet’s Cannes.
- Fine luxurious interiors and facilities.
- Private beach and jetty.
- Heated outdoor pool heated and a stunning spa.
Background
The Hotel Majestic Barriére is a part of the exclusive hotel groups The Leading Hotels of the World and Lucien Barriére Group which is fitting considering the A-list clientele that frequent the hotel. It’s only a short walk from the hotel to the Palais de Festivals where celebrities and artists gather every year for the Cannes Film Festival. But the Hotel Majestic Barriére has been a landmark of luxury since opening its doors in 1926, before movies featured sound. Since then it has undergone major renovations to bring its amenities into the 21st century, including adding two floors to the original building, but it has stayed true to its art deco roots which has helped earn the hotel numerous awards. I was really excited to experience everything Hotel Majestic Barrière had to offer.
Experience
I took a leisurely coastal drive on the French Riviera to arrive in Cannes and the hotel. The international airport is 30 minutes away, for those flying in. There’s also an aerodome and the Cannes heliport nearby for private planes and helicopters.
It’s easy to see how much work the Hotel Majestic Barrière has put into keeping the glamour of the original style. I was greeted at the stunning entrance of the hotel and directed through the lobby which was filled with plush seating, dark wood and golden accents. The atmosphere of the hotel can be described as refined and elegant.
The Hotel Majestic Barrière has 258 rooms ranging from the Superior Room to the Prestige Sea View Room, all decorated in contemporary décor with views of the sea or the city. The light color palette and dark accents create a stunning contrast which gives the room an almost regal feel.
The 85 suites are even more luxurious with separate bedrooms and lounge areas with city and sea views. I stayed in a Junior Suite Sea View with Terrace which had panoramic views while there was privacy on the terrace.
Every room is furnished with everything guests may need like a flat screen TV, a desk, a minibar, a safe, free wireless access and air conditioning. Dogs are even allowed throughout the hotel so you don’t have to leave your best friend at home.
For another level of luxury, there is the Majestic Suite which sits on top of the Hotel Majestic Barrière. The suite is more apartment than room with over 4,800 square feet with two guest bedrooms, lounge, dining room, living room, personal fitness room and hair salon and its own swimming pool on the extensive terrace. The Christian Dior Suite is also a showcase room especially during the film festival.
The cuisine at Hotel Majestic Barrière does not disappoint. Fouquet’s Cannes takes the traditional brasserie and adds its own twist. Each dish is exquisitely prepared featuring the essentials of French cuisine, including the famous Merlan Colbert and beef tenderloin flambéed in cognac.
La Petite Maison de Nicole specializes in Mediterranean dishes. The delicate stuffed vegetables have become famous in the area along with the courgette flower fritters, purple artichokes, rocky mullet and Royal Mediterranean lobster.
Newly redesigned is La Plage – Majestic Barrière Restaurant which sits right on the beach. If you’re craving superb local seafood, this is the place. The head chef uses traditional cooking techniques combined with inventive inspiration from seasonal ingredients to blend French and Mediterranean cuisine.
After dinner I explored the nightlife at the Hotel Majestic Barrière. First was The Rotonde Louis Pommery Bar which embodies the pure finesse and elegance of the Pommery style which lends its name to the champagne. And of course the bar has a tasty selection of champagne cocktails.
New to the Hotel Majestic Barrière is The Gallery Bar near the shopping gallery for a little afternoon pick-me-up during a long day of shopping in the hotel’s trendy Boutiques which house some of the world’s most luxurious designers. The chic interior of the bar and wide range of hot and cold drinks and cocktails has made it a new favorite hangout and meeting place in the hotel.
One of the highlights of staying at the Hotel Majestic Barrière is access to the white sandy beach and the private jetty. Just about every water sport is available off the jetty including parasailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding and boat rentals. There are daily trips to St. Tropez and Monaco also available which makes experiences the South of France a breeze.
If you’d prefer to spend a day in the hotel or the weather simply isn’t cooperating, there’s also the outdoor pool which is heated at the perfect temperature all year round. It’s located right next to the My Blend by Clarins Spa for a perfect day of relaxation and pampering. There are four treatment rooms available by appointment, including one double room so you can share the experience with a friend. After your specialized treatment there are a couple options to finish off your day of indulgence including a hairdresser, sauna, hammam, relaxation room and a multi-sensory stimulation experience.
For travellers that have business in Cannes, the Hotel Majestic Barrière has 18 meeting and committee rooms which are fully equipped with integrated sound and video for presentations and conference video calls. There is also a plenary hall with more room and a projection screen with room for 35 guests.
Bigger events like the Cannes International Film Festival have plenty of room and more than enough pageantry and spectacle at the Festival Hall which can accommodate 2,300 guests. The hall is one of the best in all of Europe and is currently increasing the exhibition area to add another 3,000 square meters to meet the high international demand for the space.
The service at Hotel Majestic Barrière is exceptional. Not only did everyone respond quickly to every request, they were also proactive and went the extra mile to make my stay the best experience possible. The concierge was especially helpful and well informed as well as the marketing team which did a great job in organizing my stay and the introduction of the hotel.
The white sandy beaches, luxurious shopping and celebrity watching add to the already legendary status of the Hotel Majestic Barrière but at its core it’s a true luxury hotel with some of the best service and amenities available in the region. I would highly recommend the Hotel Majestic Barrière to anyone looking to experience the day in the life of a celebrity.
Contact
Hotel Majestic Barrière
Address: 10, La Croisette, 06407 Cannes, France
Telephone: +33 (0) 4 92 98 77 00
Website: http://www.lucienbarriere.com/en/luxury-hotel/Cannes-Majestic-Barriere/see-the-hotel.html