Five Star Facelift for Famous Hotel

The Palais Stephanie in Cannes has finished its extensive €38 million renovation, the first of its kind in decades in Cannes, and has just been awarded its fifth star. Palais Stéphanie sits on the original site of the Palais des Congrès, where the first Cannes Film Festivals were held until the new Palais des Festivals was inaugurated in 1983.The dramatic redesign pays tribute to the legendary film stars of festivals past, such as Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Liz Taylor. Palais Stephanie now features 261 rooms and suites, a rooftop swimming pool with Jacuzzis, two restaurants, a casino, 820-seat auditorium, flexible meeting space, a shopping gallery and concierge. The hotel sits front and center on the famous Croisette, with breathtaking views of the Bay of Cannes and the Lerins Islands, just steps away from the beach. It’s walking distance from the old city and the old port, less than a mile from the Cannes TGV train station and roughly 30 minutes by car from the Nice International Airport. The hotel’s executive chef is Patrick Frei, who came over from the Auberge du Colombier in Roquefort les Pins. The hotel director is Richard Duvauchelle. Rates begin at 165€ in low season. For info and reservations: hotel-palais-stephanie-cannes.com or call 04-92-99-70-00.