Le Petit Magellan

Hotel Description

Honestly, I walked past Le Petit Magellan three times before I realized this was my hotel – and that’s actually a good thing. While everyone’s fighting for rooms at those massive palace hotels along the Croisette, this little gem sits quietly at number 117, just far enough from the Palais des Festivals chaos but close enough that you’re still in the thick of things. I mean, you’re literally on Boulevard de la Croisette, but somehow it feels like you’ve found Cannes’ best-kept secret.

The thing about this place is that it gets the balance right in a way most 3-star hotels don’t even attempt. Sure, you’re not getting marble bathrooms or a concierge who knows your coffee order (though the front desk staff actually remembers your name after day two, which was a nice surprise). But what you do get is a hotel that feels authentically French without trying too hard. The rooms are clean and comfortable – nothing fancy, but honestly, who spends time in their room in Cannes anyway? What really sold me was stepping out onto that tiny balcony in the morning and realizing I could see slivers of the Mediterranean between the buildings. Not a full sea view, mind you, but enough blue to remind you where you are.

Location-wise, you’re about a fifteen-minute walk to the Palais if you’re headed to the film festival, and Rue d’Antibes (where all the actual shopping happens, not just the designer window browsing) is practically around the corner. The beach clubs are right there too, though honestly, the public beaches near the hotel are just as nice and won’t cost you 40 euros for a lounge chair. One thing I really appreciated – and this might sound weird – is that the street isn’t completely insane with traffic noise. Yeah, it’s still the Croisette, so don’t expect monastery-level quiet, but the double-glazed windows actually work, and I slept fine even during the festival madness in May. Parking is… well, it’s Cannes, so good luck with that. But there’s a public garage about two blocks away that’s not completely unreasonable, and the hotel staff will point you in the right direction without that slightly condescending look you get at fancier places. The 8.5 rating makes sense to me – it’s the kind of place that does what it promises without any unpleasant surprises, which in a city where tourist traps lurk around every corner, is actually pretty remarkable.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $95. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• nice appartment in a quite area – Svitlana from United Kingdom – 31 October 2024 (9/10)

  it's location
  
  What could be improved: host's attitude

• Happy with my stay . Highly recommend – Anna from United Arab Emirates – 29 May 2024 (10/10)

  Very clean comfortable apartment
  
  What could be improved: All good

• Great location – Björn from Germany – 20 October 2023 (10/10)

  The apartment is clean and fully equipped. Feels like home. Beach across the street.
  
  What could be improved: Bus service is not very often and takes a long time to go downtown. If they would rent a bicyle for a few Euros a day, it would be perfect.

• Exceptional – Ana from Belgium – 27 May 2023 (10/10)

  Really cosy, well furnished and close to the main area of the Film Festival

• Very good for a longer stay – Alina from Germany – 10 April 2023 (10/10)

  A very nice apartment with everything one needs for a longer stay (kitchen, washing machine), etc. Several restaurants, cafes and boulangeries around. Beaches are not far. Very quite bedroom, perfect for sleeping. Beautiful Sunny terrace.

• Exceptional – Gelena from Ukraine – 23 September 2022 (10/10)

  it’s the best apartment I stay in Cannes, much bigger then on photos, super clean, great design, decorations, near beach and supermarket and restaurants, beautiful apartment, have everything for comfortable stay . recommend!

• Good location and convenient for a business trip – Arnaud from France – 22 June 2023 (8/10)

  Location & air conditioning
  
  What could be improved: Door not easy to open & close.

• Its a no from me – Anita from Croatia – 13 August 2024 (2/10)

  Location if you like the Palm
  
  What could be improved: Absolutely nothing, it was dirty, other peoples hair everywhere. They save on towels and toilet paper, I would rather pay 5 euros more then the owner tells me to go buy myself household items. So many locked closets, pointless. Balcony EXTREMLY dirty.

• Très bien – Claude from France – 4 January 2025 (9/10)

  Très bon emplacement et au calme.

• Exceptional – Eduard from Italy – 28 August 2024 (10/10)

  La struttura si trova a due passi dal mare.
  In strada si trova facilmente parcheggio.
  L'appartamento era molto pulito!
  
  What could be improved: É difficile trovare l'appartamento nel complesso, potrebbero aiutare delle indicazioni scritte nel condominio o almeno sulla porta dell'appartamento.

SURROUNDINGS