Branly by Welcome to Cannes

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to the Branly by Welcome to Cannes on Avenue Branly, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place. But you know what? Sometimes these smaller hotels surprise you, and this one actually gets a lot of things right that the fancier places mess up.

The location is pretty solid, I mean, you’re literally in the heart of Cannes city center without the insane price tag of those palatial hotels along La Croisette. Avenue Branly is one of those streets that feels authentically French – there’s a little boulangerie just around the corner that the locals actually use (not just tourists), and you can walk to the Palais des Festivals in maybe ten minutes if you don’t mind a bit of a stroll. The staff here actually knows the neighborhood too, which is refreshing. When I asked about where to grab coffee that wasn’t €8 a cup, the guy at reception didn’t just point me toward the hotel bar – he sent me to this little café on Rue d’Antibes that I never would’ve found on my own.

The rooms are… well, they’re what you’d expect from a 3-star, but honestly, they’re clean and thoughtfully laid out. The beds are surprisingly comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), and here’s something I appreciated – the windows actually open properly, so you can get some real air circulation going. The bathrooms are small but functional, though the shower pressure is a bit hit-or-miss depending on what floor you’re on. What I really liked was how quiet it gets at night. Cannes can be pretty chaotic during festival season or summer weekends, but Avenue Branly doesn’t get the same foot traffic as the main drags, so you can actually sleep. The WiFi works well enough for video calls, which matters if you’re trying to balance work with vacation. Parking isn’t included, but there’s a public garage about two blocks away – not cheap, but honestly, that’s just Cannes for you. The whole French Riviera has this love-hate relationship with cars anyway.

Here’s the thing about the Branly – it’s not trying to be something it’s not. The 7.8 rating makes sense because it delivers on the basics really well without any pretense. The breakfast is simple but fresh (actual croissants, not those sad hotel versions), check-in is quick, and the whole place has this relaxed vibe that I think captures what a lot of people actually want from a Cannes experience. You’re not paying for marble lobbies or concierge services you’ll never use – you’re getting a comfortable base to explore from. If you’re the type who spends most of your time out walking around, hitting the beaches, or people-watching at café terraces, this place makes a lot of sense. Plus, being slightly off the main tourist circuit means you’ll stumble into more authentic experiences just by walking out the front door.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $106. Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• great – Alexander from United States – 16 May 2024 (9/10)

  All good
  
  What could be improved: no issues

• Very enjoyable, hassle free, how it should always be. Thanks Welcome to Cannes. – Meanti from United Kingdom – 19 October 2023 (9/10)

  Easy and clear communication with Welcome to Cannes agency, nice greeting, clean and well equipped appartement in a top location. Would definitely recommend
  
  What could be improved: Nothing to dislike

• Exceptional – Benedetto from Italy – 12 April 2024 (10/10)

  amazing position close to the sea, very comfortable building

• We felt the apartment was being rented at the lowest possible price for several reasons – Young-g from Poland – 22 August 2024 (3/10)

  -Large terrace with a nice, peaceful view of the patio.
  -Tanning beds present on the terrace.
  -Quiet and peaceful neighborhood.
  -Excellent air conditioning in the living room and bedroom.
  -Plus points for the washing machine and dishwasher.
  -Super nice location
  -Spacious apartment
  
  What We did not like (I had to include here cause the negatives did not fit)
  
  Poor condition: cracked walls, ventilation in the bathroom detached from the wall with huge amount of dust on it, only one small lamp above the mirror where there should be four, presenting a fire hazard. Moreover, above the lamp there are loose wires that are unprotected.
  The sofa is falling apart; there's a blanket on it to cover the peeling lacquer. After sitting on the sofa, pieces of it stick to your back. Using a blanket is not a proper solution.
  
  The dining table is very wobbly.
  The TV is barely larger than a laptop screen, so calling it a TV is a stretch.
  
  The internet is horrible, with issues sending emails. It takes 30 minutes to send an email not even mentioning to check you mailbox, and even after restarting the router, the internet speed is 3,72 Mbps download and 0.53 Mbps upload. Fortunately, we had eSIM cards that provided us with internet access and the ability to work.
  
  This is unacceptable in a third-world country, let alone in such an apartment. If someone with smaller IT abilities than myself would rent this apartment would be absolutely furious.
  
  The kitchen equipment is pathetic. There wasn't even a cutting board or a bread knife.
  
  The freezer had items left from previous guests. We chose this apartment for a longer stay of 9 days, hoping for the comfort of a home, which a hotel cannot offer for such a long period.
  
  The garage with the parking space is 200 meters from the apartment. It's impossible to access it via the elevator.
  
  What could be improved: The garage with the parking space is 200 meters from the apartment. It's impossible to access it via the elevator. The garage is on level -2. Although it is stated that the space is 2 meters wide, which might scare those with wider cars, a BMW 4 G22, which according to the catalog is 2 meters and 8 cm wide with open mirrors, fits comfortably in the space. The apartment lacks an elevator, necessitating use of a car ramp. However, those with mobility issues, small children, or strollers may find it challenging.
  
  One day we had a problem with the water supply; there was none in the apartment. We were not informed about this in advance. No one responded to our inquiry until the issue resolved itself. That day, we had to take a shower using bottled water. Upon arrival on the 4th floor, we discovered moisture issues in the apartment, visible in hallways and ceilings above the kitchen, causing a faint moisture smell.
  
  Summary: A mediocre apartment that would be acceptable if it were half the price and had a working internet connection. The apartment needs renovation and new, better-quality furniture. There were three people in charge of our stay in this apartment from the company Welcome to Cannes. When the last person came to check us out of the apartment I pointed out all the things I didn’t like about it. She said, that if something didn’t work then I should call them and report it. However, when I reported the lack of water to the person that checked us in, she didn’t even pick up the phone or read my WhatsApp message. The girl checking us out was very kind, pleasant and helpful. However even she admitted that they can’t persuade the owner to make a small investment to make the apartment presentable as the owner is stubborn and cheap.
  
  Note to the owner:
  Don’t be so pathetically cheap, I feel I have overpaid for my stay therefore use these funds and make the apartment as it should be.

• Superb – Aeronetz from Germany – 12 September 2024 (9/10)

  Отличный апарт, было видно, что перед заездом все убрали и помыли. Кровати с удобными матрасами и подушками. В апарте хороший текстиль, на кроватях комфортное бельё, в ванной много полотенец разного размера и на кухне много кухонных полотенец. Посуда вся есть, я бы добавила пару хороших бокалов под вино, но это не принципиально. Расположение идеальное все рядом, пляж, набережная, кафе, рестораны, супермаркет. Коммуникация с персоналом была прекрасная, всегда на связи по любым вопросам, очень понравился персонал, внимательные девушки. Спасибо
  
  What could be improved: Был один минус, за который снизили балл, это обеденный стол. Вот никогда не думала, что это может испортить впечатление, но этот "одноногий монстр", не давал нам нормально завтракать. Крен у столешницы градусов 25, видимо, кто-то его сломал. Стол весь вращается и поставить чашку кофе невозможно, вы прольёте кипяток. В общем, милые неспешные завтраки стали для нас испытанием, один держит стол, другой режет хлеб.😅 Мелочь, но ее надо исправить, можно дать столу вторую жизнь и обойтись минимальными расходами, купив новые ножки в IKEA.

• Excellent emplacement – Eliza from Switzerland – 11 June 2023 (10/10)

  L'emplacement idéal en plein centre de Cannes, à une minute de la Croisette.
  Le parking privé est un excellent atout pour ceux qui ont une une voiture.
  La pièce à vivre est très confortable et le balcon est calme avec une vue sur une jolie cour arborée.
  Propreté générale parfaite. La salle de bain est petite mais la grande douche à l'italienne est très agréable.

• Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo- najboljse iz Francije. – Boban from Slovenia – 9 July 2024 (10/10)

  Lokacija odlicna. Apartma urejen, cist, funkcionalen. Blizina plaze. Ocena: 10.

• Exceptional – Tiina from Estonia – 20 May 2024 (10/10)

• Passable – Sarah from Saudi Arabia – 23 May 2024 (5/10)

• Very good – Sandrine from France – 6 May 2024 (8/10)

SURROUNDINGS