Hillary Davis Travels's Blog

Hotel Review: Le Grand Hotel Cannes

    This is one of the most intriquing hotels in Cannes, and one of the most comfortable. Le Grand Hotel is a large property with a prime location on the Croisette. It even has its own private beach for its guests. Yet it only has 45 rooms and has a distinct boutique feel to it---most likely due to the fact that it has been run by the same family for generations. It is the details, at this hotel, that make it a standout.

    Its exterior is indeed grand. This privately owned property also includes apartments and a large elegant villa used for cultural exhibitions.

    Le Grand Hotel has the highest floor of any hotel in Cannes, and that is where I was taken to see the suite on the 11th floor. When they opened the door, this was the view....

    The first thing I did was make a beeline for the glass doors to open them and walk out on the terrace. It was surprisingly wide, with a small table and chairs perfect for dinner for two. Under a full moon. With a sea breeze. And champagne. Dinner cooked by the Michelin star chef in the hotel. But more about that later.

    I was told that the barrier behind the table could be removed to open up to another spacious terrace including a large jacuzzi, with an entrance to an adjoining suite---providing the possibility of settling into a quite large living space. 

    The view was just unbelievable. You could see the entire bay of Cannes, the mountains, the beach, old town....and I could imagine how it would look at night with all the sparkling lights. 

    Two wicker chaise longues were positioned facing the sea, waiting for someone to snuggle into them for a nap in the sun.

  I could imagine sitting here forever watching the yachts come and go.

    Back inside, the decor was a cool blend of 50's and 60's, which was refreshing and fun.

    Yet there were high tech touches like an ipad and huge flat screen TVs.

    I was again swept away, this time with the view from the bedroom. 

    ....which was simple and comfortable, with red bedside reading lights by Philip Stark.

    Le Grand Hotel was built in the 60's and is emblematic of that error. Major renovations upgraded the entire complex, making it supremely attractive and giving it a contemporary, sleek feel.

    Le Cercle Bar faces the sea and spills outside onto the lawn.....

    ....and artwork such as the "roses" constantly change color at night..........from pale pink to fuscia to red.....

    But here's the best news of all.

    Le Grand Hotel has one of the best chefs on the Cote d'Azur, Sebastien Broda. This Michelin star chef has lifted Cannes' hotel dining scene to a higher level with his inspired cuisine, which reflects the exquisite produce available on the Riviera. You can sample his cooking at Le Park 45, either inside or outside. You will be in the good hands of a chef who has worked with Roger Verger, at La Palme d'Or and at the Carlton. 

    This is a hotel I can enthusiastically recommend. It is retro chic, colorful, filled with light, sparkling clean, in a prime location, with a beach and a beach restaurant, a Michelin star chef, and an atmosphere that is friendly and very upbeat. No stuffy antique lobby at this hotel. It is breathing and alive. Its energy will revive you. Just what a great hotel should do.

Le Grand Hotel, 45 Bd. de La Croisette, Cannes, France

33 (0)4 93 38 15 45

www.grand-hotel-cannes.com

 

Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas Cruise to Bermuda

    This beautiful ship is where I spent my summer vacation. I only had one week free. How perfect. I would be taken care of, fed, entertained, and allowed to rest. It was exactly what I needed. I am a workaholic. A cruise takes care of you, takes a burden off your shoulders, holds your hand, and pushes fun into your life. I was on the Explorer of the Seas headed for Bermuda.

    We sailed out of Cape Liberty, NJ and had this view of New York City with the Staten Island Ferry heading towards her. 

 

.......everyone went up on the deck to see the ship sail under the Verazano Bridge...........

.............there was a Captain's Welcome Party on the Promenade with free-flowing champagne and live music to dance to...................

...........we all jammed onto the Promenade to enjoy the party............it was our first real look at all the shops and restaurants as well.................

...............this is what the Promenade looks like during the day.....some cabin windows open out to the Promenade and it is beautifully decorated and filled with light..............

............at one end of the ship is the Palace Theater, where all the broadway-style shows were held.......

.............this is looking up from the Promenade at the huge piece of artwork hanging from the ceiling......

.............this is looking down at where the art auction is held on a lower deck..........the curves and flow of the interior space of the boat were eye-catching and made it a pleasing experience to stroll around...........

..........the stores along the Promenade were filled with high quality items.....I thought these Lamborghini watches looked pretty cool...........there was also an English Pub and a French inspired cafe............and a Ben & Jerry's............

..................you can see the cafe below under the red awning on the left........I used to stop in for coffee or little croissant sandwiches stuffed with ham, cheese and tomato........they also served pizza and cookies every day.........

....I didn't take a picture of the cabin, but did of the hand-painted tile detail in the bathroom .............

............yes, those are my feet! Lounging and listening to a great band by the pool. Ended up dancing under the stars for hours....the entertainment on the boat was superb.

..........there is a huge gym facing the ocean with steam, sauna, whirpools and classrooms.....

............and an adults only pool area with its own bar and whirlpools..................

...and you can jog and walk the upper deck for working out in the sun and sea air....and in the evening you could either dine at your whim in the large buffet area or dine formally in the dining room below....

........this cruise was only five days to Bermuda, so since I had been there many times before, I decided to spend my time near where the boat was docked on King's Wharf. It had everything I wanted. A French pastry shop with WIFI. A fabulous British pub that makes their own beer and delicious Bermudian fish chowder. Shopping. A crafts center. Entertainment and bands at night. And a sweet little beach you could snorkel from with a restaurant, bar and bands. And I had time to rest, sleep, and rejuvenate. It's almost a perfect quick trip out of New York City, getting you to a place far enough away that you feel as if you have been somewhere, and taking very good care of you. I can't wait to go back.

Related Post:

Cruise Cuisine: Explorer of the Seas 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please Don't Squeeze The Cotton Candy

    I lived in France for many years, starting when I was a newlywed in Paris. It was hard then to find American foods in France like peanut butter, oreos (my husband's favorite), bagels, and maple syrup---so I had them shipped over to supplement my pantry. When I later moved to the South of France and had loads of American friends flying over to visit, I would recruit them to pack (hide) some things for me in their suitcases. 

    My biggest treasure was receiving maple syrup.

    One weekend in the South of France, I had guests from Paris and wanted to serve them something fun for Saturday breakfast. But when they put a mouthful of pancakes and maple syrup into their mouth they very politely froze. Then they shook their head. Then they swallowed and blushed. Pushed for an answer of how they liked it, they responded that they did not have a taste for sweet things for their breakfast. 

    I tried maple syrup on some other French friends down from Bordeaux and they loved it. So I decided maple syrup in another country is a hit or miss proposition.

    But here in New Hampshire we get really excited about it. It is a rite of spring to wait for the sap to run and find new maple syrup.

    Just minutes from my village, a young couple has a maple business in a chalet-style barn on a pond with ducks and geese scurrying about---so perfect a setting that the thought occured to me their building would make a great house, with sunsets on the pond and high ceilings and a vast great room.

    I found them by accident as I was hurtling down the highway one day. A sign out front caught my attention.

    Never a lover of cotton candy, the sign stayed in my thoughts for days. Should I go back? What did it taste like?

    So I went back today and was swept away by how good their maple cotton candy tastes. I pulled off a fluffy bit, placed it delicately on my tongue and closed my mouth. It was gone. All that was left was the taste of not-too-sweet maple syrup. Divine!!!!!! Magical!

    I was hooked. I bought some of their maple cotton candy and some of their homemade maple pecan fudge. It was the best fudge I have ever eaten. Seriously. Not too sweet. Just perfect. 

    So I wanted to share with you my journey to Morning Star Maple Sugar House in Dublin, NH. This is what it looks like when you enter through their front door.

    They really have their act together. A gift store with every imaginable product made with maple syrup. Below are the packages of their homemade maple sugar candies shaped into bears, turtles, chicks, owls, and maple leaves...........

......and they make maple caramel popcorn.......

 ...........great looking lollipops............ 

..............and of course, their own golden maple syrup............

    If you are in New England this summer traveling about, visit Morning Star Maple. Your kids will love it. You will be able to tour their maple making facility............which is huge and ultra modern and clean.....

.....taste samples, sit by the pond,  savor some of their maple cotton candy......
.....and take some home. Just remember, don't squeeze the cotton candy!

Morning Star Maple Sugar House, Route 101, Dublin, NH 

603.563.9218   Order online at:  www.morningstarmaple.com