Hotel Martinez Cannes: Art Deco Celebrity Magnet – 2025 Review

Hôtel Martinez has anchored the Promenade de la Croisette since 1929, its Art Deco façade a constant backdrop to Cannes’ transformation into a global cinema capital. This guide examines why this five-star property remains the definitive celebrity magnet during the Cannes Film Festival, drawing on its Michelin Guide status and a meticulously documented history to help you evaluate whether its reputation matches your travel priorities.

Last checked: 2026-07-29

Hotel Name: Hôtel Martinez · Location: Promenade de la Croisette, Cannes, France · Star Rating: 5-star · Distinctive Feature: Art Deco architecture, private beach, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Why is Martinez Cannes so famous?

History and Art Deco design

Emmanuel Michele Martinez bought the plot on the Croisette in 1927 and opened the hotel in 1929, according to Condé Nast Traveller. Architect Charles Palmero is widely credited with the original Art Deco structure, whose white facade has dominated the Cannes beachfront for nearly a century. A roughly €150 million renovation concluded in spring 2018, led by designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, which refreshed the 410 rooms, introduced new public spaces such as Le Martinez Bar and Jardin du Martinez, and returned the property to its original name after it had operated as Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez (according to Wikipedia).

Location on the Promenade de la Croisette

The hotel’s address — 73 boulevard de La Croisette — puts it squarely on Cannes’ most famous waterfront. Country & Town House notes that the Martinez sits farther from the Palais des Festivals than some other Croisette luxury hotels, which appears to be an intentional advantage for high-profile guests seeking privacy during the festival rush. The private beachfront gives the property a resort feel within the city limits.

Association with the Cannes Film Festival

Sotheby’s reports that the hotel has hosted the Cannes jury dinner at La Palme d’Or for roughly three decades, a ritual that solidifies its place in festival lore. Gault&Millau describes the Martinez as the preferred refuge of artists and VIPs passing through Cannes for the festival. Forbes explicitly calls it the “celebrity nexus of the Cannes Film Festival.” The hotel’s relationship with cinema actually predates the formal festival; Sotheby’s notes glamour photography from the 1950s—including Gina Lollobrigida posing in front of the building—as early evidence of its cinematic pull.

“For decades, the Art Deco landmark has been the celebrity nexus of the Cannes Film Festival.”

— Galeriemagazine

Does Hôtel Martinez have a Michelin star?

Michelin Guide Hotel status

The hotel itself is listed in the MICHELIN Guide as a recommended property and has achieved an overall guest score of 18.4/20 based on verified post-stay ratings from MICHELIN Guide guests. This score places it among the top-rated hotels on the Riviera.

Restaurant options at the hotel

La Palme d’Or, the hotel’s signature dining room, currently holds 1 MICHELIN Star. Forbes reports that the restaurant reopened in 2024 under chef Jean Imbert with a redesigned, cinematic-themed interior. Additional outlets include Le Martinez Bar, Version Originale, and Jardin du Martinez, which were all introduced or renovated during the 2018 transformation.

“The distinctive art deco architecture of the Hotel Martinez has dominated the beautiful Cannes beach since the late 1920s.”

— FNL Guide

Who owns the Hôtel Martinez in Cannes?

Historical founder

The hotel was founded by Emmanuel Michele Martinez, a prominent hotelier who purchased the land in 1927 and opened the doors in 1929. The property was one of the major Riviera palace projects of the late 1920s.

Current ownership and brand

Hyatt acquired the Martinez in 2013 and carried out the extensive renovation program that culminated in the 2018 reopening. The hotel now operates under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, a brand that allows individual properties to retain their distinct character while accessing Hyatt’s global distribution and World of Hyatt loyalty programme.

What celebrities have stayed at Hôtel Martinez?

Film Festival guests

The hotel is widely reported as a celebrity hotspot during the Cannes Film Festival. Forbes calls it the “celebrity nexus of the Cannes Film Festival,” while Gault&Millau describes it as the “preferred refuge of artists and VIPs.” Travel Curator notes that the white facade and Croisette frontage give the property a cinematic, glamorous presence that attracts high-profile visitors.

Notable high-profile visitors

Sotheby’s confirms that the hotel’s relationship with cinema predates the formal festival, citing mid-century glamour photography of stars such as Gina Lollobrigida in front of the building. Specific names are frequently circulated in lifestyle coverage, but compiling a definitive, independently verified guest list fell outside the scope of this research. The hotel’s atmosphere is undeniably oriented toward discretion and luxury, which appears to be the primary draw for VIP guests.

“Refuge préféré des artistes et VIP de passage à Cannes pour le festival.” [Preferred refuge of artists and VIPs passing through Cannes for the festival.]

— Gault&Millau