Five Seas Hotel in Cannes, France

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Updated: April 8, 2022

Essentials
• Location: Rue Notre Dame, close to Palais des Festivals.
• Hotel website: fiveseashotel.com
• Hotel phone: +33 4 6336 0505
• Check prices for Five Seas

Five Seas – A temple to travel, right near the beach.

Five Seas is a rare abode: a boutique hotel with an independent spirit that can compete with the palace hotels in coolness, service, and style. The location is unbeatably central: one block from Boulevard de la Croisette and the beach. All forty-five rooms are generous, crafted in quality materials, and half of them are seriously cool suites. Inspired by luxury nineteenth-century safaris, the décor is designer and oh-so-chic with a touch of whimsy. Beds have dramatic canopies; the cute closets, desks, and chairs are styled to look like traveling trunks; and enormous windows let in plenty of light. Bathrooms are lovely with black mosaic tiles, housed behind sliding shutters. On the fifth floor, Le Roof restaurant and bar are lively, contemporary spaces to enjoy tasty sharing cuisine and panoramic views. Nightly DJ sets keep the party going in the bar. The final touch is the spectacular infinity pool on the roof terrace.

See Also

• Best Family Hotels in Cannes
• Best Boutique Hotels in Cannes

Five Seas – Location

• Address: 1 Rue Notre Dame, 06400 Cannes, France.
• Area: Outstanding. A townhouse on a quiet street right in the town center, sandwiched between the bustle of Rue d’Antibes on one side and the glamorous boutiques and beachfront hotels of Boulevard de la Croisette on the other (both just steps away). The Palais des Festivals is in sight at 2 minutes (100m) away. 5 minutes’ walk (0.2 mile) from the train station. Everything you want in Cannes is within walking distance.
• How to Get There: If arriving by train, Cannes train station is a swift 5 minutes’ walk (0.2 mile) from the hotel. From Nice-Côte d’Azur airport, take the train from the nearby Nice-Saint Augustin station; it’s cheap and takes only 36 minutes. There is also Express Bus 210, which also terminates at the Cannes train station; returns are €33. If flying into Cannes-Mandelieu airport, there are cheap local buses, the A and the 1, which will take you to Cannes train station in under 30 minutes.
• Private Transfer: We use and recommend Welcome Pickups car service. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more than a taxi – about €26 from Cannes-Mandelieu airport and €73 from Nice-Côte d’Azur airport – but can be worth it to avoid the long taxi queue and for the convenience of paying ahead.
• Handy to: La Croisette, the beach, Le Palais des Festivals, Le Suquet.

Five Seas – The Basics

• Ages: Guests tend to be an international mix of professionals, couples, and some families, usually aged 30+, looking for an intimate, high-end stay. Children are welcome and rooms from Executive Double and up can accommodate an extra bed each. However, there are no specific amenities on offer for children.
• Beach: The hotel has partnered with the exclusive Plage du Festival nearby (0.4 mile) on La Croisette to give you VIP access, and will reserve loungers and parasols for you.
• View: Rooms at the front look out on the Church of Notre Dame de Bon Voyage. Some suites enjoy better views from the top floors; the Top of Five suite has a panoramic one that takes in Le Suquet, the old town.
• Private Pools/Jacuzzis: The Terrace Suite has a private terrace featuring a slinky jacuzzi in steel and glass.
• Laundry: Laundry, dry cleaning, ironing suit press, and shoeshine services are available (additional charge).
• Parking: Parking with optional valet service is available offsite for €35 per night (reservation required).
• Extras: 24-hour reception desk and Clés d’Or concierges. Free minibar, VOD, and Nespresso machines in the rooms, with iPads to borrow on request. Complimentary Carita toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers in the bathrooms. Elegant, spacious lounge in the lobby. VIP access to a nearby private beach – Plage du Festival. Free electric buggy to take you to the beach or around the town center. Airport shuttle service (additional charge). Welcome gifts can be arranged, e.g. champagne, perfume, or a bath with rose petals.
• When to Book: Book 3 to 4 months ahead for the summer high season. Consider avoiding the film festival in May as accommodation gets booked up far in advance.
• How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
• Phone: +33 4 6336 0505
• Email: info@fiveseashotel.com
• Website: fiveseashotel.com

Five Seas – Amenities

• Pool: Stunning 13m infinity pool surrounded by loungers on the rooftop terrace, which is reserved for hotel guests until 6 pm.
• Spa: Decadent 250m² space, which includes 2 saunas, a steam room, and a relaxation room. It also has 4 treatment rooms (one for couples) and offers beauty treatments from Carita and Cinq Mondes.
• Fitness Center: High-tech fitness center open 24 hours a day, with decent machines and free weights.
• For Disabled Guests: Two Executive Doubles have been fully adapted to be wheelchair accessible, with roll-in showers. There is wheelchair access throughout the hotel, with one lift serving all rooms and the restaurant, and a separate small lift which goes up to the pool terrace.
• For Families: Children up to 2 years old stay for free and cots can be provided in any room on request. Family Suites and the Terrace Suite can sleep 4 people. Extra beds can be accommodated in the Executive Doubles, Junior Suites, and Family Suites, charged at €75 per night.
• Activities: The staff are friendly and more than happy to advise on and help organize restaurant reservations and other activities for you in the area.

Five Seas – Food and Drink

• Restaurant: Le Roof – Chic cosmopolitan bistro on the 5th floor run by Chef Arnaud Tabarec and decorated with lush greenery and pendant lights. Enjoy the panoramic views as you dig into a healthy ‘roofbowl’ at lunch (€29 for 2 courses). Alternatively, enjoy the ‘sharing cuisine’ at dinner; this is inspired by the chef’s travels and features dishes from a leg of lamb to cottage pie and mochi for dessert. Lunch service is 12-2 pm and dinner 7:30-11:30 pm daily. Brunch is available 12-3 pm on weekends. $$-$$$.
• Lounge/Bar: Le Roof Bar – Spilling out from the restaurant area onto the poolside roof terrace, the bar is the place for mixologist cocktails and street food with friends. A bit less exclusive than other hotel bars, it also offers Afterwork or happy hours (6-8 pm) and in the summer, regular DJ sets, live music, and themed events. A pop-up brasserie operates from June to September. Open till 12:30 am in the high season and 12 am in the low season.
• Breakfast: Breakfast is always included in the room rate, unusually, and consists of a continental buffet with hot food, including omelets and crepes cooked to order (for an additional fee). Served 7:30-10:30 am daily in the breakfast room (from 7 am during conferences).
• Room Service: Room service is available and breakfast can also be ordered to your room.

Five Seas – Rooms

• Room Types: Superior Double • Deluxe Double • Executive Double • Junior Suite • Family Suite • Top of Five Suite • Terrace Suite • List of all Rooms
• Smoking Rooms: The Five Seas Hotel is 100% smoke-free.
• Best Room: All the suites are very classy. However, the Top of Five is a very romantic ‘secret’ room on the top floor, 40m², with panoramic views and even a telescope. The Terrace Suite is a very spacious 73m², with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a lovely private terrace with a jacuzzi. It can be combined with the adjacent Family Suite to form a 125m² Presidential Suite.
• For Families: Extra beds can be accommodated in the Executive Doubles, Junior Suites, and Family Suites. Family Suites, with sofa beds in separate living areas, and the Terrace Suite with 2 bedrooms can sleep 4 people each. Interconnecting rooms are also available.

Five Seas – Local Transport

• Walking: The most popular spots in Cannes are all easily walkable. Shopping on Rue d’Antibes and La Croisette and the beach are just steps away, and the Palais des Festivals just 2 minutes (100m) away. The train station is 5 minutes’ walk (0.2 mile).
• Subway and Bus: Local buses by Palmbus serve the town from a station by Le Vieux Port (0.4 mile), e.g. take the no. 8 bus to reach the eastern end of La Croisette and peaceful Palm Beach. The A and 1 buses are an excellent option for getting from Cannes-Mandelieu airport to the train station and back. Lignes d’Azur buses go from the train station further afield, e.g. to Nice, Nice-Côte d’Azur airport, and Grasse.
• Taxis, Uber, Lyft: Taxis from Nice-Côte d’Azur airport take around 30 minutes (17 miles) and cost around €80. Ubers are a bit cheaper, starting at around €50-60. Given the hotel’s excellent location and the busy streets, you will probably prefer to walk in the town center.

Five Seas – What’s Nearby?

Recommended Nearby Tours

• Trans Côte d’Azur Cruises – One of the best ways to enjoy this beautiful coast is with a cruise. Trans Côte d’Azur boats sail across to the nearby island of Sainte Marguerite (a 15-minute trip for €15), a calm oasis of deserted beaches amid pine and eucalyptus trees, and the former home of the Man in the Iron Mask. Longer cruises depart for St Tropez and Monaco (both all-day excursions for €52 and €55 per adult). Boats depart from Quai Max Labeuf between June and September. (0.6 mile).
• Food tour with La Serviette Blanche – This award-winning company now offers a 2.5-hour walking tour for foodies called Flavors of the Côte d’Azur. It is led by Chef Eliane and takes in around 10 different stops to taste food that represents Southern France and the Mediterranean, all of which are included in the €85 price. The meeting point is in front of the Tourist Office, next to the Palais des Festivals, a 2-minute walk (100m). La Serviette Blanche also runs cooking classes and dinners at a chef’s table.

Best Nearby Restaurants

• BFire by Mauro Colagreco – The private beach of Hotel Barrière Le Majestic now boasts this restaurant from a twice-Michelin-starred chef. The menu showcases wood-fired dishes inspired by his Argentine roots – hence the name – and changes seasonally. Very chic, with prices to match. (0.1 mile).
• Da Laura – The place to go for unpretentious, authentic Italian food. Think fresh pasta, bold flavors, and local specialties from Piedmont, such as risotto with truffles. Locals love it, so be prepared to wait for a table. (0.1 mile).
• Le Grain de Sel – Seek out cosmopolitan flavors at this elegant bistro on pedestrianized Rue Hoche. The Asian-influenced menu features such delights as octopus with coriander and beef tataki alongside fresh gnocchi with truffles. There is also a kids’ menu for €11. (0.2 mile).
• Bobo Bistro – Very cool place serving delicious European cuisine using local, organic produce. The décor is arty, the crowd ‘bourgeois bohemian’ (as the name suggests), and the atmosphere, buzzing. (0.3 mile).
• La Toque d’Or – Another top gastronomic restaurant in Cannes, La Toque is run by two young chefs, Magalie and Steven Trucco. They serve modern, inventive cuisine, often working with Asian flavors – think escalope of foie gras in Asian broth or wild turbot with saffron – and the freshest of ingredients from the neighboring Marché Forville. Check out the good value lunch menu – €19.90 for 2 courses or €29.90 for 3 courses. Book ahead. (0.4 mile).
• L’Affable – Behind a curtained door, this contemporary French restaurant is elegant and ever-buzzing. The menu is seasonal and features highlights like tempura king prawns and the signature Grand Marnier soufflé. (0.4 mile).
• Le Park 45 – Le Grand Hotel’s high-end gastronomic restaurant. The location is just lovely – an elegant dining room and terrace overlook gardens that slope down to La Croisette. The menu by chef Hervé Busson promises surprises in fine dining and the summer-only lunch menu is good value, at around €30 for 2 courses. (0.4 mile).
• Table 22 – Chef Noël Mantel, who trained with Alain Ducasse, delivers inspired gastronomic food based on local ingredients. The venue, up in the old town of Le Suquet, is simple and chic, and the service, fantastic. The set menus are great value – from €39 for 3 courses to €60 for 4. There is also a great apéritif hour with small plates. Reserve in advance. (0.5 mile).
• La Brouette de Grand Mère – A cozy, red-walled bistro where traditional Southern French food is the star. There’s only one generous menu – for €49, you get a welcome drink, starters to share, then salmon and a vodka shot, a choice of 6 main dishes, and finally, a choice of dessert, all accompanied by half a bottle of wine per person. There is a separate kids’ menu for €19. (0.5 mile).
• La Palme d’Or – At the Hotel Martinez, diners look out from a lovely balcony onto La Croisette as they enjoy Cannes’ fanciest table – the only one to hold 2 Michelin stars. Chef Christian Sinicropi’s food is refined, based on sunny Provençal flavors, but ever creative. Menus start at €90 for the Saturday-only lunch menu. (0.7 mile).
• L’Antidote – Chef Christophe Ferré’s place is laid-back and welcoming, located in a townhouse with a lovely sunny terrace. Expect modern, seasonal Mediterranean cuisine. The menu is excellent value too – lunch starts at €18 for 3 courses and dinner at €31. (0.7 mile).

Best Nearby Bars and Breweries

• Zoa Bar – Lively sushi bar within sight of the Palais des Festivals. Locals come for the wine and the fun atmosphere. The food menu is big on sushi and Asian dishes, and there is often live music or a DJ till 2:30 am. (0.1 mile).
• L’Épicurieux – Wine bar and restaurant in a central location near Rue d’Antibes. A great place to sample local French wine especially, with knowledgeable and friendly staff. (0.1 mile).
• Armani Caffè – Suitably stylish café bar among the boutiques on La Croisette and a fabulous place for people-watching. Enjoy light Italian bites along with a drink on their pretty terrace. (0.3 mile).
• Le Tube – This bar in a former garage is cool and laid-back, a contrast to the glitzy hotel bars that dominate the town. It houses temporary art exhibitions and offers a food menu as well which is big on carefully sourced organic beef. (0.3 mile).
• La Môme – This ever-popular restaurant has opened a new cocktail and raw bar. The décor is strikingly Art Deco, the cocktails, fantastic, and the crowd, young and fashionable. The food options are tempting too, from ceviche with popcorn to appealing desserts. (0.3 mile).
• JW Grill – Designer-chic lounge bar in the Marriott hotel on La Croisette. Go for a special occasion or just to indulge, and sit on the terrace looking out to sea with a glass of wine for that glamorous Cannes experience. (0.4 mile).
• Le Cercle – Le Grand Hotel’s chic wine bar is one of the oldest in Cannes, with music from a resident pianist and an extensive drinks selection. Ask the head barman for a Bellini, which is a secret recipe of his. (0.4 mile).
• Au Pot de Vin – Relaxed wine bar run by former Michelin-starred chef Jean-Pierre Silva and his family. Pull up a stool at the long bar in this former garage and enjoy almost 1,000 wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and beyond, some available by the glass. The food menu features Provençal cheese platters, delicious ham, and more substantial plates. (0.5 mile).
• La Chunga – A Cannes institution, next door to the Martinez Hotel. At this restaurant/piano bar, the drinks keep flowing and the DJs and live music keep the crowd dancing till 5 am. (0.7 mile).

Best Nearby Cafes

• Boulangerie Jean-Luc Pelé – A bakery/café from Cannois chocolatier and pâtissier Pelé; his chocolate shop on Rue Meynadier is also well worth a visit. This is a fantastic venue for a light lunch – the salads, quiches, and sandwiches are fresh and full of flavor – or for afternoon coffee and cake. The pastries and desserts are made with sustainable French flour and taste incredible. (0.1 mile).
• Itineraire Café – Small, friendly, and very serious about coffee. Itineraire roast their beans themselves and will help you choose a coffee from the extensive menu. Tea drinkers also get a choice, with 85 kinds of tea, and you can then buy the product to take home with you. The breakfast on offer is pretty great too. (0.2 mile).

Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops

• Boulevard de la Croisette – Iconic La Croisette is home to the most high-end designer fashion in Cannes, and plenty of it. You can stroll from end-to-end of the long beachfront boulevard, taking in famous names from Chanel to Valentino. Check out less familiar boutiques such as Paule Ka for dresses and Le Shop 17 for designer jeans. (100m).
• Rue d’Antibes – Second only to La Croisette as a shopping destination, elegant Rue d’Antibes mingles designer boutiques with more accessible fashion. It’s also home to Ladurée, famous for its macarons, and l’Occitane, a cosmetics chain that was born in Provence. (100m).
• JP Paci – Artisan chocolatier who turns his raw material into quirky and delightful forms – Camembert, sardines, handbags, you name it. It’s all delicious and makes for great presents. (0.2 mile).
• Fromagerie Ceneri – The master cheesemonger/ripener in Cannes. It’s on Rue Meynadier, which though touristy, is a great place for food shopping and is very much a favorite with locals. Try one of their excellent goats’ cheeses from Provence or ask the friendly staff to recommend something from their huge selection. (0.3 mile).
• Déclic Dépôt – Every town needs a great thrift store. This one is very Cannes, specializing in designer clothes and accessories for women from recent seasons. You can now choose to pick up a Prada or Armani bargain via its online shop. (0.4 mile).
• Nocturnes de Quai Saint-Pierre – Cannes has a number of night markets and this one takes place each Thursday during July and August. It’s a pleasure to walk along the quay and browse the local produce, jewelry, soap, and other artisans’ creations on offer. (0.4 mile).

Nearby Attractions

• Boulevard de la Croisette – Glittering La Croisette is the heart of Cannes. A long promenade, lined by beaches on one side and fashion houses and grand palace hotels on the other, it is a must-see. Even if the boutiques and hotels are out of your price range, the people-watching is fab and strolling along it at night, when the palm trees sparkle with tiny lights, is pretty magical. (100m).
• Palais des Festivals et des Congrès – A huge concrete and glass structure, the Palais des Festivals is in fact a venue for conferences which keep the town and its hotels busy for half the year. But each May, it becomes the center of the Cannes film festival. Visitors flock to take photos on the red-carpeted steps to the entrance and check out the handprints of film legends (find the start in front of the Tourist Office). The Tourist Office also organizes guided tours of the interior. (100m).
• Le Vieux Port – In the heart of Cannes, this is a lovely space to walk and admire the yachts of the super rich as well as views of the Palais des Festivals on one side and the hillside neighborhood of Le Suquet on the other. It also hosts regattas and part of the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. (0.2 mile).
• Galerie Hurtebize – Cannes has lots of modern art galleries catering both to collectors and the curious. Galerie Hurtebize welcomes guests warmly and boasts big name artists including Chagall and Renoir, as well as more contemporary works of sculpture, painting, and graphic art. (0.2 mile).
• La Malmaison – Once part of the old Grand Hotel, this elegant and intimate venue on La Croisette is now a center of contemporary art. There are two exhibitions a year focusing on internationally known modern artists, including those like Picasso and Matisse who were inspired by the Côte d’Azur. (0.4 mile).
• Le Suquet – The unmissable old town is a picturesque web of narrow streets winding uphill from Le Vieux Port and feels a world away from the rest of Cannes. Discover the great restaurants on Rue St Antoine or continue up to the medieval castle at the top. Now an art museum, Musée de la Castre, it also offers great views of the town and the sea. In July, you can enjoy open air concerts up there as part of the Nuits Musicales du Suquet. (0.4 mile).
• Carlton Cannes – The epicenter of glamour in Cannes, this hotel is legendary. It has featured in acclaimed films like To Catch a Thief. If you’re a celebrity, you’re probably staying at the Carlton. Mere mortals should stop by to enjoy the grand Belle Époque architecture, private beach, and possibility of spotting a star. (0.5 mile).
• Beaches – Golden sand stretches all along La Croisette and here, guests at Five Seas have VIP access to the glam Plage du Festival (0.4 mile). Alternatively, there is municipal Plage Macé (0.2 mile), where prices for lockers and sun loungers are kept low, and which hosts the free Cinéma de la Plage during the Cannes Film Festival in May. Plage du Midi, west of the port, is further away (0.6 mile) but also an excellent option and free too.

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

• Monoprix – Compact branch of the popular French supermarket. Good selection of groceries and essentials. Open till midnight every day apart from Sunday. (0.3 mile).
• Marché Gambetta – A great covered market, smaller than Forville, but with a nice variety of stalls. Drop in to grab fresh fruit, cheese, or ready-made food for a picnic or check out the clothes, records, and art on offer. Open every morning apart from Monday. (0.3 mile).
• Marché Forville – A Cannes food institution, this is its biggest market and the place to go for all your gourmet needs since 1934 – browse local fresh vegetables, fish, local delicacies like socca (chickpea pancake), and stalls specializing in olives or mushrooms. On Mondays, the food is replaced by an all-day flea market. (0.4 mile).

Five Seas – The Hotel

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