Hôtel Martinez, Cannes, France

Our flight to Nice was cancelled last minute, and we were re-booked on two connections, which meant three planes to travel not a very far distance. C’est la vie.

How could we complain though? 3 nights in Cannes was awaiting us, including a spectacular wedding, so as long as we rushed through Oslo and Amsterdam airports to get to our connections, there would be no issue… and sure enough, we made it on time.

In my many trips to Cannes I had never stayed at The Martinez – and I was wow’d upon entry. Dripping in warm hospitality and enveloped in cool air conditioning (hard to find in the 90+ degree heat), The Martinez is five stars all around. Service, service, service, above and beyond, the hotel is clearly well managed, and knows how to cater to its elite guests who spend well over $1000/night to stay in small yet beautifully manicured rooms.

We stayed there thanks to Chase points converting to Hyatt points. What a deal!!

Arriving with little time to spare before the rehearsal dinner, Rachel and I ordered room service to dine on while unpacking, ironing, and getting dressed. Rachel chose the burrata and tomato carpaccio, I opted for the club sandwich, praying it had good holdability so I could eat while changing. Fingers crossed.

Muted flavors through every layer. Nothing stood out. Lacking any excitement this hotel embodies, no pizzaz, no warmth, and a bizarre selection of the ingredients – tomatoes not nearly as ripe as the tomato in the carpaccio (did they really choose something so sub-par?)… a wildly bland egg overpowered the entire experience. The Bread slightly soggy making 3 layers of it overkill – you really dont want a sandwich like this to be 50% soggy bread. I started to pity the club sandwich that was prepared next to such extravagant other in-room dining options. A seemingly well plated, nicely layered meal, ruined by poor selection of the ingredients. If Cannes has one thing in July and August, it’s access to some of the best breads, cheeses, tomatoes, and general produce in the world… and while The Martinez is full of great dishes, this club sandwich did not deliver.

I would absolutely stay at The Martinez again, what a fantastic hotel, but I truly hope they upgrade their club sandwich, they can do better than that….