Cannes & The Carlton Hotel

Arriving in Cannes

James opens the vlog standing outside the iconic Carlton Hotel on the French Riviera in Cannes, describing it as the epicenter of the Cannes Film Festival — where celebrities stay, relax, and "vibe." He notes he's put on a shirt despite it being crumpled from his backpack.

Plan for the day:

• Walk around Cannes
• Check out the Carlton Beach Club
• Explore the red carpet area
• Check into the hotel

The Carlton Hotel — History & Facts

• Built circa 1913 by a famous Swiss hotelier
• Funded in part by the Russian royal family
• The distinctive domes on the roof were modeled on the breasts of a famous Spanish courtesan named La Belle Otero
• The hotel was the filming location for Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" music video — shot on the hotel and beach
• After filming, Elton John reportedly partied with Duran Duran, resulting in a trashed room

Notable Guests (Historical to Recent): Grace Kelly (met Prince Rainier III of Monaco here — they later married), Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth, Sophia Loren, Kirk Douglas, Brigitte Bardot, Sean Connery, Alfred Hitchcock, Marlene Dietrich, Benito Mussolini (1922), Quentin Tarantino, Sharon Stone, Uma Thurman, Sylvester Stallone, Clint Eastwood, Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts, Steven Spielberg, Robert De Niro, Emma Stone, Richard Gere, Kevin Costner, Elton John, Barack Obama, Madonna, Duran Duran

Walking Around Cannes

James strolls the famous Boulevard de la Croisette, observing the luxury boutiques lining the seafront:

• Shops spotted: Ralph Lauren, Balenciaga, Hermès, Longchamp, Cartier, Valentino, Rolex, Fendi, Armani Café, Jimmy Choo, Bvlgari (he ponders the correct pronunciation — Bvlgari or Bulgari?)
• Notes the beach is under construction (off-season preparation for the summer influx of wealthy visitors)
• Weather: approximately 20°C — described as perfect
• Date of filming: 3rd April

Stop for a pint: James finds a back-street bar, opts for a beer over cocktails — "You can take the lad out of Barnsley."

The Cannes Film Festival Palais

James walks to the Palais des Festivals, home of the famous red carpet steps.

• The red carpet is in place year-round
• A queue of tourists waiting to pose on the steps
• James declines to join the queue — "It's a bit weird on my own"
• Muses that during the actual festival, the area would be packed with celebrities and fenced off from the public

Lunch

James finds a side-street restaurant and sits down for a healthy lunch:

• Glass of red wine — "Magnifique"
• Marinated salmon salad with rice, avocado, onions, mango, cashews, and candied ginger

Checking In — Room 149, First Floor

James enters the Carlton and checks in, receiving his key card and directions to Room 149.

Room overview:

• Décor: black lacquer with gold trim — classic, elegant, sophisticated
• Welcoming gifts: macaroons and three small apples
• Partial sea view from an angle
• Large bed with satin-effect sheets
• Armchair positioned to look out toward the sky
• Personalized welcome card addressed with his full name

Bathroom:

• Large walk-in shower
• Selection of shampoos and shower gels
• Two robes and two pairs of slippers
• Dyson hairdryer ("I wish I had hair")
• Dental kit, shaving set, vanity area

Minibar & extras:

• Minibar items on pressure-sensitive pads (auto-detected if removed)
• Selection of nuts, chocolates, whiskies, gin (Hendrick's), champagne, rosé wine, IPA, blonde beer, ciders
• Coffee station with a precision scale for measuring exact water amounts
• Room service menu
• In-room safe
• Laundry service: 3 complimentary pieces cleaned during stay
• Connecting door to adjacent room
• Footstools embroidered with 1913 (the hotel's founding year)

Price Breakdown & Value Perspective

Room cost: £497 for one night (non-sea-view room; sea-view rooms ~£2,000/night)

James breaks down the full trip cost as a special occasion option for UK travelers:

His take: for an anniversary, birthday, or milestone celebration, the total trip is expensive but not unreachable — and delivers a genuinely luxurious experience.

Carlton Beach Club — Evening Drinks

James crosses the road to the Carlton Cannes Beach Club for an evening drink.

• Orders a Grimbergen Blanche — €14
• Sits at the front of the jetty listening to the waves
• Notes the private beach area has sun loungers with drinks service
• Hotel visible in full from the beach — "There she is in all her glory"
• Ambient music playing; described as a cool, relaxed atmosphere
• Comments that drinks are expensive but worth it for the setting: "I'd pay £12 to have a private beach"

Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

James returns to his room, eats his last macaroon, and reflects on the trip.

Highlights:

• The hotel exceeded expectations
• Weather was perfect throughout
• Wishes he could have brought "Helly Bobs" (Helen) — she was in Japan at the time
• Plans to return and bring her

Morning logistics:

• Early flight from Nice at 10am
• Needs to be at the airport by 8am → up at 6am
• Plans to take the train from Cannes to Nice, then the tram to the airport

Channel notes:

• Wants a tripod for future hotel room filming
• Upcoming content: more hotels, travel challenges, van life, UK content

Signing off: "Au revoir, ma chérie."