Enjoy the glitz and glamour of the Cote d’Azur with a luxurious family stay at the JW Marriott Cannes
It feels wonderful to be able to travel again. Living through a pandemic certainly makes you reflect on life and appreciate how lucky we are to live in an era when so many wonderful destinations are easily accessible. Now that many international borders have fully opened, it is time to reinvigorate our desire to explore, enjoy and indulge in different cultures and destinations.
The Cote d’Azur is renowned for being one of the most beautiful and glamourous places in the world. The French Riviera was first on our list of areas to revisit once travel restrictions lifted – particularly Cannes – which is especially captivating and a popular holiday destination for our readers. This incredible part of France ticks every box for a luxury family getaway, especially if you stay in the opulent surroundings of the JW Marriott Cannes.
The JW Marriott Cannes offers an unbeatable five-star experience and it is an excellent place to stay if you are visiting with children. The hotel is only about 30 minutes away from Nice airport by car and seven minutes by helicopter. It is in a prime position on La Croisette. This famous street is lined with luxury boutiques on one side and flashy beach clubs that overlook the sea on the other side.
The JW Marriott Cannes has a grand entrance, which invites guests to walk up a sweeping staircase leading towards a dramatically lit lobby area. There is also an escalator, which is discreetly positioned at the back of the entrance and proved a real hit with younger family members.
Cannes is renowned for its glamour and this is embraced by the hotel, which has extremely chic décor that includes an abundance of luxury touches. In fact, the hotel was built on the former site of the Palais des Festivals, and as such, each room features a portrait of a famous movie star as a tribute to the building’s history.
The suites and rooms include floor-to-ceiling windows, which help to give a great sense of space and the striking photographs perfectly capture the glamour of the famous film festival. This property really gives you the feeling that you have arrived on the red carpet in one of France’s top celebrity hotspots.
Although the property is very sophisticated and ideal for a romantic break, it is also the perfect place to visit with family members of all ages, especially young children. The suites on the first floor have interconnecting rooms to help accommodate children. This also gives you a tremendous amount of floor space, which is enhanced further by excellent outdoor terrace areas.
It feels as though you are staying in an ultra-luxurious apartment, with all the added benefits of exceptional hotel hospitality. This includes round-the-clock room service, a bar with sea views, fitness centre, restaurant and an impressive breakfast area. The panoramic views from the rooftop swimming pool are breathtaking.
One of the great advantages of staying at the JW Marriott in Cannes is the location. This is especially important when you are travelling with young children and want to combine luxury with convenience. The stunning sandy beaches are quite literally right on your doorstep and there is unparalleled access to the very best of Cannes.
The Armani café is just a few doors down, with the likes of Dolce and Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior and Saint Laurent among the lavish boutiques that are vying for the attention of passing shoppers. The quaint side streets lead you through upmarket shopping areas. These are also accompanied by authentic French markets, which are selling vibrant linen dresses and jewellery that is perfect for the many beach days that you will want to embark on during a stay.
For those wishing to explore the more traditional part of Cannes, a walk along the lovely Rue Saint Antoine is essential. To reach this part of Cannes, you must take a 15-minute stroll from the JW Marriott. You will go past the harbour, which gives you a chance to admire some of the superyachts that are docked during the summer months.
When you reach Rue Saint Antoine, you will find traditional restaurants and wine bars lining the picturesque street. Le Chaperon Rouge is well-worth a visit. It is a romantic setting and the tables are covered with rose petals. Set up by a former butcher, the team has been in situ for over 20 years and the cuisine consists of a number of impressive homemade dishes. You can’t really fault any of the food on the menu and the Red Mullet was particularly good. Naturally, the wine list is excellent too. The service is welcoming and very friendly.
Closer to the JW Marriott is Le vin by Warner (Rue Hélène Vagliano). This wine bar is popular with locals. It includes sensibly priced bottles of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, delicious charcuterie boards and superb truffle pizza.
Needless to say, beach lunches and dining by the waves is also a very appealing option and there are many such dining destinations to choose from (you can read more about these in our guide to the best beach clubs in Cannes). A day trip to La Guerite, which is a favourite with A-listers, deserves a special mention. The restaurant provides a speedboat transfer service from Port Pierre Canto and a visit to this exclusive island will certainly add some extra special glamour to your stay. The food, wine, live entertainment, atmosphere and views are all very impressive.
Travelling with young children presents its own challenges; however, the French are extremely accommodating and welcoming when it comes to the smaller members of the family. Many children are out-and-about when darkness falls. Street performers add an extra energy to the Croisette and provide great entertainment.
The bright lights of the merry-go-round will prove impossible to resist for toddlers and their siblings. Meanwhile, a photo on the famous red carpet is a must, followed by an ice cream overlooking the Mediterranean as the moon illuminates the sea. Locals and tourists were enjoying the warmth of the water until past 9pm during our visit and there is a special buzz in the city during the night.
However, a great advantage of staying at the JW Marriott is the amount of space that is available for those families wishing to relax within the comfort of the hotel during the evenings. The large suites and rooms mean that you can easily enjoy the in-room dining and watch a movie. The hotel restaurant is also a sensible option for those who don’t want to venture too far afield, with fine dining available in the Italian restaurant Scalini.
The enormous beds will ensure that you get an excellent night of sleep and the air-conditioning is much appreciated and essential during the hot summer months (it regularly reaches 35C and above).
Waking up in the morning with the sea just metres away and the glitz and glamour of Cannes right on your doorstep makes the JW Marriott an idyllic property that is hard to beat. This destination gives the perfect welcome return to the world of luxury travel and will ensure that you have an A-list experience, from start to finish.
The Sloaney Junior Verdict
In their own words…
“The hotel room was brilliant because the beds were huge. I loved the merry-go-round on the pavement outside at night-time. I also liked being able to get an ice cream every night after dinner. Swimming in the sea was good and being so close to the sea made it easy to do every day. I ate lots of fresh fish and everyone was really friendly at the restaurants.” – Rose, aged 5
“I liked the escalator in the (JW Marriott) hotel. Going on it was my favourite part of the holiday. I also liked the fact that the lobby turned different shades of purple and the beds were HUGE!” – Michael, aged 2
Booking Information
The JW Marriott hotel is located at 50 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France. You can book a stay by calling +33 4 92 99 70 00 or by visiting the website.
Reporting: Laura Toogood | Photography and photo sourcing: Gilles