Review: JW Marriott Cannes – France | Marriott Bonvoy

Cannes is a world-renowned city for cinema, thanks to its renowned festival. The JW Marriott Cannes uses symbols such as the Palme d’Or and numerous photos that decorate the hotel’s corridors and rooms. Having stayed at this hotel in 2017, we were keen to return as it underwent a minor facelift and reopened in 2023.

On our first visit in 2017, the night cost us 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. We returned in 2023 and used a Marriott Bonvoy one-night certificate. We were upgraded to a suite with a king-size bed, sofa bed, sea view, and balcony.

It’s possible to stay here for as little as CAD 300 a night, depending on your chosen period; this price is outside the Cannes Film Festival. At this price, it’s worth paying in cash, as points will cost you a minimum of 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Ideally located on the Croisette, the hotel offers easy access to Cannes’s beaches, luxury boutiques and restaurants.

When we came to Cannes, a lot of pipe work was going on. However, these have since been completed.

Access to the reception is not direct. You have to cross a hall and take the escalators to get there. All common areas have been beautifully renovated. Lighting and furniture have been replaced. The white highlights and gold detailing add brightness and chic appeal to previously quite dark spaces.

Here’s a glimpse of the hotel before renovation so you can appreciate the difference:

A second floor has been added to accommodate the reception area, and the first floor has been given to a convivial restaurant-bar. The lobby is charming, and the facilities are comfortable. The central chandelier has been preserved and enhanced. The whole is bright and modern.

As we entered the room, we had the impression of returning to the pre-renovation decor. We learned from talking to the reception that not all the rooms have been renovated like the rest of the hotel, or at least only part of them. Some bathrooms have had a facelift, and the carpets have been replaced. We were nevertheless satisfied with our suite.

A small welcome gift awaited us.

The setting is just like Cannes: Cinema and Gold take center stage! Wood and leather complete the picture. There’s a comfortable lounge and a bedroom with a double bed and a wooden desk. The room is luminous, with a beautiful clarity amplified by the panel of mirrors. What surprised us most was the air-conditioning switch, reminiscent of the hotel before the renovation and could have been changed.

The room is spacious and well organized. The bedding and carpeting look like new. The wooden furniture has been preserved.

The bathroom can be accessed from either the lounge or the bedroom. The bathroom is a good size, with glass walls. A curtain acts as a divider with other rooms. There’s a large bathtub, an enclosed shower and a long countertop with two basins.

The suite has access to two balconies to enjoy Cannes’s view and atmosphere.

Breakfast at Scalini Restaurant

To get to breakfast, go to level 1, take the escalators and go to level 0.

The buffet is very complete with delicious dishes. The presentation is meticulous.

Even the bar is used to present the morning buffet.

S Bar and restaurant

You can sit back in the evening and sip a delicious cocktail in the sublime S Bar. Note that the cost is still high. The bartender was amiable during our visit. The place is refined and lively, with some evenings featuring live performances.

The restaurant serves traditional Italian cuisine in the evening.

The JW Cannes offers a top-floor swimming pool with a 360-degree view of the Croisette. It is open from 10 am to 6 pm every day. One drawback is the noise from the air-conditioning units. Also, during busy periods, the pool can get busy fast, as it’s not very large.

The hotel has a dedicated beach area where guests can relax, have a drink or dine at the Palais Stéphanie Beach Restaurant. The hotel also boasts a lovely terrace, The Sunset Terrace, perfect for a glass of champagne on the Croisette and a sunset over the Mediterranean.

The JW Cannes also offers a fitness room. With weight training and cardiovascular equipment. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For gamblers, the hotel is adjacent to the Les Princes casino, where slot machines and gaming tables can be found in the most luxurious surroundings.

The JW Marriott Cannes is an excellent choice for a stay in the heart of the action on the Croisette for travellers who want to experience the prestigious Cannes and enjoy its seafront.

For Canadians, the 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points can be earned with the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card (or its SMB version also available to consumer) or by converting American Express Membership Rewards points.

For the French, you can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points.