A century on La Croisette, and Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes still knows exactly what it’s doing. Sirine Boudjadi checks in, and finds suites overlooking the Mediterranean, a private beach and a dining scene that more than lives up to the legend.

Le Majestic opened in 1926 as part of a new wave hitting the Riviera. Cannes was still figuring itself out, European high society was flooding in, and this sleek Art Deco address landed right on cue. Built on the old Beau-Rivage site, it even did a stint as a military hospital during the war, before pivoting to what it does best: being the natural home of the Cannes Film Festival crowd. And what a crowd. Just four minutes from the Palais des Festivals, it’s where the industry gravitates: Alain Delon, Catherine Deneuve, Monica Bellucci, Nicole Kidman, Sophie Marceau, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman. The list reads like a century’s worth of call sheets.

Walk in and you get it immediately. Over 2,500 black-and-white portraits of cinema icons line the walls across all seven floors. A constant reminder that this place has seen things, starting in the lobby. Oliver at reception sorted me out quickly and warmly, and, after an overnight journey, I was more than ready to head straight up to my room, or rather, my Prestige Terrace Sea View Suite. Seventy-five square metres of calm, sunlit, very Riviera-coded comfort. The palette is soft and understated, warm beige, sandy tones, muted greys, lifted by deep navy accents that echo the sea just outside. At the centre, a king-size bed so comfortable it almost becomes a problem because you never want to leave it.

Natural light floods in through large sliding doors, softened by sheer curtains that move gently with the breeze, creating that effortless indoor-outdoor flow that instantly makes the space feel bigger and slower. The spacious bathroom follows the same logic, with both a bathtub and a separate shower, plus Guerlain amenities adding a subtle touch of indulgence. The real highlight is the terrace. Opening onto uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean, with the pool just below (heated to 28°C year-round) and palm trees framing the scene, it feels like your own private slice of the Riviera with sun loungers and a dining table. I also loved the welcome treats waiting on the table. Fresh fruit, delicate petits gâteaux… and a chocolate reproduction of the hotel’s façade, almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

The hotel features 349 rooms and suites, many of which were fully renovated and unveiled in early 2025. But for those looking to take things further, Le Majestic is also home to a few standout signature apartments. At the top of the new wing sits the Majestic Penthouse, a 450sq/m private residence designed for next-level Riviera living. Its 150sq/m terrace is the real showstopper, complete with an 11-metre outdoor pool overlooking the entire bay of Cannes.

There’s also the Christian Dior Suite, which leans into a completely different universe. Designed by Dior’s longtime interior architect, it feels like stepping into the maison itself, with herringbone parquet floors, Louis XVI-style furniture and subtle nods to the house’s iconic codes. There’s even a private home cinema and during the Cannes Film Festival, it’s where celebrities come to get ready just hours before walking the red carpet, which only adds to the sense of occasion.

The schedule for the day was intentionally light, exactly what you want after a long trip. A sunbed had been booked for us at Ciro’s, the hotel’s private beach, and it set the tone perfectly. The name carries its own weight on this stretch of coast. Originally founded in Deauville in 1920, Ciro’s was built on a very particular idea of French coastal glamour. The Cannes version, which opened in 2025, feels like a natural evolution: same spirit, different backdrop. On the menu, you’ll find exactly what you want from a chic Riviera beach spot: fresh salads, seafood to share, a few indulgent signatures…

To wrap up the day, we had dinner at Fouquet’s, classic French brasserie authority, precisely executed. Worth knowing: it’s set to become a Beefbar in early June, a concept I’ve loved in Fouquet’s Saint-Barth, part of the Barrière Group, and Cyprus, and one that will bring a younger, more international energy to the address.

Wellness And Slow Moments

Day two started with one of my favourite moments: spa time. The Majestic Spa features Biologique Recherche, one of my go-to brands, and I was in expert hands with Eva for a 50-minute facial. We went for the VIP O2 range to boost radiance and revive the complexion. The treatment combined deep cleansing, gentle exfoliation and sculpting techniques designed to detoxify and lift the skin, with just the right amount of intensity to feel it.

The spa spans 450sq/m and also features a sea-facing fitness centre offering personalised training sessions, Pilates, circuit training and group classes. Speaking of movement and well-being, we were also treated to a yoga session on the beach pontoon at Ciro’s. It was very soothing, with the sound of the waves in the background, the sun warm but not overpowering, and that feeling of being completely switched off from everything else. One of those simple yet perfect travel moments.

My favourite dining experience, and easily the most intimate, was that evening’s dinner, set inside a transparent bubble tucked away in the hotel gardens, with views stretching over both the sea and La Croisette. The setting alone felt slightly surreal. A round table dressed in crisp white linen, surrounded by curved chairs with bold red velvet cushions that also keep you warm as the evening cools, and delicate pastel flowers arranged in small glass vases.

The menu, designed by Executive Chef Jean-François Barbéris, with subtle nods to his grandmother’s recipes, followed a beautifully paced rhythm: amuse-bouche, vegetable ravioli, sea bass in a salt crust with a vibrant sauce vierge. A highlight in between: a lemon sorbet paired with a citrus blossom granité, inspired by enfleurage, a traditional perfumery technique reinterpreted here. And to finish, a perfectly executed Saint-Honoré, the house signature. Service also played a big part in the experience, thanks to Adrien, our dedicated butler, who handled everything with effortless precision.

Beyond La Croisette

For the final day, we had lunch at another spot that will definitely resonate with GCC travellers: Mademoiselle Gray, the private beach of Hôtel Le Gray d’Albion (also part of the Barrière group). The vibe here is a little different, more beach club, a bit more upbeat, and the menu follows suit, with strong Middle Eastern influences running through it. Think labneh topped with beets and pistachios, a fresh take on fattah, crispy coriander falafel or chicken skewers marinated in taouk spices. And then dessert, because skipping it would be a mistake, especially when it comes to the Brioche perdue inspired by Umm Ali, loaded with pistachio and citrus caramel.

The afternoon was all about fragrance. As a self-confessed perfume addict, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to wrap up the stay. Because just 25 minutes away lies Grasse, the world capital of perfume, not just in name but in heritage. It all started back in the 16th century, when scents were used to mask the smell of leather gloves. Today, it’s an entire industry rooted in tradition and craftsmanship.

We began in Cannes, at the Guerlain boutique just a short walk from the hotel, for an olfactory consultation, and it turned out to be far more personal than expected. It’s not just about choosing a fragrance, but understanding what draws you to certain notes, what you want to express, even the environments where you feel most like yourself. Surprisingly introspective.

Then we headed to Grasse for a workshop at Fragonard, a family-run house since 1926. We started with a guided visit of the factory, a behind-the-scenes look at raw ingredients, extraction and formulation, before moving on to the more hands-on part. The workshop itself is simple but revealing. You’re introduced to the olfactory pyramid (top, heart and base notes) and from there, you start blending, adjusting, testing. A tiny variation can completely shift a scent, making it fresher, warmer, softer or more intense.

On the way back, we stopped in Mougins, just 15 minutes from Cannes, but it might as well be another world. The village rises in a slow spiral around its bell tower, a maze of cobbled lanes, honey-coloured stone houses and sudden openings onto wide, hazy views of the Provençal hills. Mougins began drawing artists in the 1920s, but it was Pablo Picasso’s arrival in 1961 that gave the village its myth. He settled into Notre-Dame-de-Vie, just outside the centre, with his wife Jacqueline Roque. In that quiet retreat, he worked relentlessly, painting, sculpting, experimenting, until his death in 1973. Today, Mougins still carries that artistic energy with more than 30 galleries and studios. A different Riviera, basically. Same light, no spotlight. And that contrast is exactly what makes it work: the energy on one side, the calm just a few minutes away, all part of the same place. ✤

GO: VISIT WWW.HOTELSBARRIERE.COM/CANNES/LE-MAJESTIC AND @HOTELBARRIERELEMAJESTIC ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.