Sunday, October 23, 2011

Croisette Beach Hotel - Cannes

To me, Cannes has really come into its own over the years in terms of being a gay travel destination.  More gay bars and nightclubs have opened up, more gay-friendly restaurants and hotels, fantastic beaches, and who could dare question the shopping?


With that I would like to start off by mentioning a gay-friendly hotel that I very much recommend.

Croisette Beach Hotel in Cannes is situated in the heart of it all.  This four-star hotel has world class shopping practically at the doorstep, is certainly within walking distance to the gay and gay-friendly bars and clubs and it even has its own private beach and restaurant area.

Croisette Beach Hotel


As soon as you step into Croisette Beach Hotel you will feel at home in a natural yet cozy environment.  In keeping with this motif, you will find very approachable, friendly staff that is genuine in their hospitality towards everyone.


The hotel has 94 spacious rooms varying in size to suit your needs.  For those North Americans used to a "standard" hotel room size, and understanding that some European hotel rooms tend to be smaller, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that even the smallest suites in Croisette Beach Hotel are very much in keeping with a North American room size.


And each unit, regardless of size, is paired with newly remodeled, sleek and modern bathrooms.


Each room also has its own safe, minibar, wifi internet and plenty of closet space, without question you will find everything you need.

For the business-minded, there are also various meeting and reception rooms to help with all your business and social needs.


On my visit to the Croisette Beach Hotel, I noticed the staff were always busy cleaning, organizing or arranging something but yet also paying close attention to hotel guests needs.  The staff is dedicated to the work and for that reason; Croisette Beach is perpetually kept in immaculate order.

Depending on your choice of hotel room, you will find yourself either facing the street with the beach less than a block away, or you will face the beautiful inner courtyard with its true green spaces, trees and an ample lounge area set up by the pool.


The gorgeous pool and courtyard area are just off the hotel's bar and dining room on the main level and is one of the few hotels in the center of Cannes with its own pool.
That alone is a luxury.


Croisette Beach Hotel is easy to find.  If you are about midway down the Croisette, just look for rue du Canada and you will find the hotel at: 13 rue du Canada.


As if the hotel wasn't enough, at the end of the street right on the Croisette is the private Croisette Beach and Restaurant, where you will find the same great service from the hotel.


Here you can have a wonderful meal at the restaurant while you take in the glorious scenery yet also enjoy drinks while you catch a few rays of sun on your own private lounge chair at the beach area.


For a Four Star hotel situated where Croisette Beach is, you are going to find this is one of the best deals in Cannes.

A special Thank You to Olivier.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Cannes Tourist Offices - Office du Tourisme

The city of Cannes has three tourist offices; two of them are in the main area of the city. 


One of the tourist offices that I mentioned in a previous post is connected to the Cannes Train Station – Gare de Cannes.
You will easily find this tourist office as it is right outside the train station doors and is open all year long.

The hours for this location are: Monday to Saturday from 9am–1pm and from 2pm-6pm.
Tel. +33 04 92 99 84 22
Note - This office is closed as of August 2012 due to renovations of the train station.


The second tourist office is at one end of the Croisette, on the waterfront at the Palais des Festivals building or 23 rue des Etats-Unis.  You can't miss this building either as its big, white, majestic with lots of blue glass.  It’s also where they film all the celebrities going up the red carpet during the International Film Festival.  Actually if you continue going to the right of the red carpet area but along the sidewalk you will immediately see on your left hand side the Office du Tourisme.



Inside, like the office next to the train station, there is a number of staff who can help you with any questions you might have.  There are also different information areas set up so that you can just pick up whatever hard copy information you might need, you can buy some souvenirs and they even have a small art gallery near the back filled with local artists work.

When I was last at this tourist office, there was a LGBT Cannes Rainbow station to the right once you walk inside filled with information on the local LGBT community.


For this office, the hours of operation are:   Everyday from 9am-7pm.  November to February from 10am-7pm.  July to August from 9am-8pm.
Tel. +33 04 92 99 84 22


If you get the chance to go to Cannes la Bocca you will find the same great service and information at the tourist office located at: 1 avenue Pierre Semard

Hours of operation are: All year, Tuesday to Saturday from 9am-12pm and 2:30pm-6:30pm.  In August they are open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am-12:30pm and from 3:30pm-7pm.
Tel. +33 04 92 99 84 22


More information can also be found at:

I would also suggest if you have a Smartphone to download the Cannes Is Yours App as a helpful guide.
I can provide one website that you can download the free app from and that is:
AppBrain just go to the search box and type in “Cannes Is Yours” and you will find the app there to download.


Any of these tourist offices may be a good start if you are trying to find your way around upon first arrival to Cannes.  I have always found the people working in these offices to be very helpful and full of information.  And of course I will be sure to continue with all kinds of information on my end as well.

A special Thank You to Frédérique.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Cannes Train Station - Gare de Cannes

Cannes main train station or Gare de Cannes could not be easier to navigate. 

SNCF

If you are arriving in Cannes for the first time, when you get off the train just follow the crowd also departing the train into the main lobby of the station.  It’s really that simple.  There aren’t that many platforms and only one tunnel to catch the various trains and plenty of signage to help guide you.  The station itself is not a massive building so you really don't have to worry about getting lost in it and even at night I have found it safe.


Inside the arrival and departure area you will find the main train schedule boards, a newsagents, waiting areas and also easy to use ticketing machines to purchase and validate your train tickets.  Upon exiting the building, to your left is one of Cannes’ tourist offices with a small parking lot in front of you.


The train station is located at 1 rue Jean-Jaurès and it’s easy to find by some of the unique architecture features of the building (see pics).  Currently the train station is undergoing an extensive renovation and upgrade but I have never found it to impede on my visits.
Illustration of the renovated Cannes Train Station
The train station has connections between the Cote d’Azur with all the regions of France and all the major cities in Europe are provided by the SNCF's express and high-speed trains (TGV).  The TGV connects up Paris and Cannes in about 6 hours at least 3 times daily.


Nice is approximately a 35-minute commute away by train, traveling along the sea past some wonderful beaches and towns to get there.  Since Cannes does not have a major airport, many people choose to use the train system to get to Nice where they can make their way to the Nice airport from there.


The train station is located in the heart of Cannes, literally less than a five-minute walk to the beach and getting there can take you to the start of the many fantastic shopping areas in the city.  It's also close to the hotels, restaurants and clubs with everything being within walking distance.  When you depart the station, literally just pick a street in front of you, head South and you’ll be on the Croisette and at the beaches in no time.



Friday, October 14, 2011

Cannes Emergency Contact Numbers

I have always found Cannes to be a very safe city.  Fortunately I have never had an incident of any kind happen to me there, but it's always better to be safe than sorry so here are a few key numbers and addresses you might want to know about:


For medical emergencies, accident and fire always call tel. 18



Medical – Samu  Tel. 15

Police – Gendarme  Tel. 17

Fire/Medical – Pompier/Sauveur  Tel. 18 or +33 04 93 48 78 00

Riviera Medical Services (English Speaking)  Tel. +33 04 93 26 12 70

Dental Emergencies  Tel. +33 04 93 68 28 00 


Night Pharmacy - 15 avenue de Grasse
Tel. +33 04 93 68 33 33
Night Pharmacy 15 avenue de Grasse

There are a number of police stations but here is one in Vieux Port:

Police Municipale - 2 quai Saint-Pierre
Tel. +33 08 00 11 71 18
Police Municipale 2 quai Saint-Pierre


Here is some information for the main hospital in Cannes:

Cannes General Hospital - 13 avenue des Broussailles

Tel. +33 04 93 69 70 00
Cannes General Hospital 13 avenue des Broussailles
Stay safe!