Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, has been named No. 80 on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 extended 51–100 list, placing the legendary address among the world’s top 100 hotels.
For more than a century, Carlton Cannes has been an iconic presence on the French Riviera. Its Belle Époque architecture and elegant interiors have made it one of Cannes’ most recognisable landmarks, with the property classified as a Historic Monument in 1989.
Its history extends far beyond architecture. During the 2011 G20 Summit in Cannes, Carlton Cannes welcomed then U.S. President Barack Obama, who stayed on the fifth floor in the same suite previously occupied by the American representative attending the first League of Nations conference held at the Carlton in 1922.
Its cinematic legacy is just as extraordinary. The Cannes Film Festival, born from the French government’s desire to celebrate international cinema in Cannes, took off in 1946, when the Carlton welcomed the only eight journalists present for the event. That moment forged an enduring bond between the hotel and the festival, with the Carlton becoming an emblematic address for generations of filmmakers, actors and international personalities. Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief, starring Grace Kelly and Cary Grant, further immortalised the hotel and its Riviera setting.
Today, Carlton Cannes brings that extraordinary heritage into a new era of ultra-luxury. Following its extensive transformation and reopening in 2023, the hotel combines its historic architecture with contemporary design, exceptional craftsmanship and an expansive offering spanning luxury suites and residences, a private beach club, infinity pool, wellness and fitness facilities, and a collection of elegant restaurants and bars.
One of its greatest distinctions may also be its ability to make the hotel itself the destination. From restorative wellness experiences at Le C Club, to Mediterranean and Anatolian dining across its restaurants, including Riviera and Rüya Restaurant to the relaxed elegance of Carlton Beach Club, with its private beach, pontoon, dining and water sports, alongside Bar°58 and Camélia Tea Lounge, every element is designed to offer a complete Riviera experience within one extraordinary address. Combined with the grandeur of its historic spaces, Carlton Cannes offers far more than simply a place to stay.
Its place among The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 extended list is therefore a recognition not only of its extraordinary heritage, but of its ability to translate that legacy into a contemporary expression of ultra-luxury — bringing together wellness, gastronomy, leisure, culture and exceptional hospitality under one iconic roof.
