I recently returned to the Hǒtel Martinez in Cannes, France, and was assigned a premium sea view room (an upgrade from the junior city view suite). Visits to the South of France are always busy, so I didn’t have time to take photos or write a review, but I was able to snap a few pictures of the room.

Hotel Martinez: Basics

The Hôtel Martinez is, of course, known for its role as the hub of the Cannes Film Festival and the largest hotel in the Cǒte. Built in 1929, the Art Deco hotel is located prominently on the Boulevard de la Croisette. The hotel was built by an Italian hotelier on the site of the King of Naples’ former villa, and occupied by the French, Italian, and German militaries before the U.S. Air Force used it as a base during World War II. Now, following the downgrading of Hotel du Palais in Biarritz and the Park Hyatt Paris, it’s the only Hyatt affiliate recognized as a Palace de France.

Premium Sea View Room

While being moved from a suite to a room with a view may seem like a downgrade, the sea view rooms at the Martinez offer the property’s iconic view over the Boulevard and the Bay of Cannes. They’re priced significantly above the city view suites.

I was assigned room 212, which is on what Americans would call the third floor of the hotel (the French do not count the ground floor). It’s laid out familiarly: opening the door, you find yourself in an entryway with the closet to the left, the bathroom on the right, and the room ahead.

The room is spacious with a workplace, sitting area, and plush king-size bed.

Each bedside table had a water bottle and an explanation of how to turn off the motion-activated nightlight.

As you’d expect, the room featured an amazing view across the Bay of Cannes between Île Sainte-Marguerite and Théoule-sur-Mer.

To the left of the workplace is a minibar with a Nespresso machine and tea kit. Apparently, the hotel charges 10€ to restock the Nespresso pods — however, the box contains eight pods, including two decaf, and the room is refreshed twice daily so that shouldn’t affect most people.

Premium Sea View Room: Bathroom

The bathroom is located to your right from the entryway. It features a waterfall shower to the left and a privately-partioned toilet alcove to the right. The vanity has only one sink but plenty of counterspace.

Premium Sea View Room: Closet

The closet is located across from the bathroom to your left when you enter the room and is designed in a shallow galley style. It’s actually significantly larger than it looks in photos, with a full-length hanging section with an optional suitcase stand to your left, shelving ahead (including the safe), and a half-length hanging section over a built-in suitcase stand to your right.

In addition to laundry, the hotel can arrange basic alterations and repairs in-house.

Importantly to me, the room contained a shoehorn.

Hôtel Martinez Welcome Gift

Shortly after arriving in the room, the hotel delivered a welcome amenity consisting of a bottle of still and sparkling water and some local cookies, along with a note from the director of rooms.

This was a bit strange, since the hotel’s welcome amenity is generally a bottle of wine (both on my prior visits and in notes from friends). However, we had a few bottles with us, which were delivered to the room by their bellhop. I would have preferred the wine, but I assume that’s why they substituted the welcome gift, and I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Bottom line

Hotel Martinez offers fantastic views of the Bay of Cannes from its seaview rooms. While this won’t offer you the highly personalized service of a boutique (the property has 410 keys), it is one of my favorite addresses to stay at. The facilities are modern and well thought out following the recent renovation. It also honors all Hyatt elite benefits, including breakfast and upgrades but not late checkout, since it is classified as a resort, a definite plus. You’re also within easy striking distance to everything Cannes has to offer and an easy 20-60 minute drive (depending on traffic) to Nice Airport.