Cannes may be best known for its red carpet, beaches and grand hotels, but for business travellers, where you stay can have a surprisingly large impact on the experience of a trip.
The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès sits at the heart of the city, at the beginning of La Croisette and beside the Old Port. Hotels, restaurants, shops and many of Cannes’ main business and entertainment venues are within easy walking distance of it.
But Cannes is not simply one compact centre. Its different neighborhoods offer very different experiences. Staying on La Croisette gives you immediate access to the city’s event activity and luxury hotels. Le Suquet offers historic character and a more local atmosphere, while Palm Beach feels quieter and more residential. Further uphill, La Californie and Super Cannes trade some walkability for privacy, space and panoramic views.
This matters particularly during Cannes Lions, MIPIM, the Cannes Film Festival and other major conferences, when a few extra minutes of travel can make a difference to a busy schedule of meetings, networking events and dinners.
So, where should you stay in Cannes? The answer depends on what you need from your stay.
Understanding Cannes and why proximity is about more than distance
Before choosing a neighborhood, it helps to understand the city’s layout.
The Palais is positioned right at the western end of La Croisette, facing the sea and next to the Old Port. The Croisette itself stretches for around three kilometres towards Port Canto and Palm Beach, making it one of the defining geographical features of Cannes.
Behind the seafront, the central area is often referred to as La Banane. It is not considered a separate neighborhood, but the name is useful when searching for accommodation. La Banane broadly describes the central part of Cannes between the Croisette and the inland roads, and many apartments and hotels described as “central Cannes” are located here rather than directly on the waterfront.
For business travellers, this central area can be just as practical as the Croisette itself. The difference is that you may exchange a sea-facing address for quieter streets, more residential accommodation and, often, more choice when looking for apartments.
Cannes is generally very walkable around the centre and hotels, restaurants, shopping streets and the historic centre can all be reached on foot. The picture changes as you move uphill or further along the peninsula, however. This is why the distance shown on a map should never be the only factor when choosing accommodation for a business trip.
La Croisette is the most convenient choice for the heart of Cannes
For travellers attending an event at the Palais, La Croisette is the obvious starting point. It is the iconic seafront boulevard of Cannes, lined with luxury hotels, restaurants, boutiques and beaches, and it runs directly from the Palais towards Port Canto.
The atmosphere is polished, international and lively, particularly during the city’s busiest event periods. For someone attending Cannes Lions, MIPIM or the Cannes Film Festival, staying here means being surrounded by the activity rather than commuting into it.
The most important thing to remember, however, is that La Croisette is three kilometres long. A property near the Palais and one close to Port Canto may both be marketed as “on the Croisette”, but their practical relationship with the Palais is very different.
From the western end, the Palais can be just a few minutes away on foot. Further east, the walk becomes progressively longer. Walking the full length of the Croisette is perfectly realistic as a leisure activity, but it is not necessarily the route you want to make several times a day when you have meetings scheduled back-to-back.
Traffic can also change the equation during major events. A short taxi journey in normal conditions may take considerably longer when the city is busy, so a central location that allows you to walk is often more valuable than the same journey made by car.
Accommodation here is dominated by luxury and upper-upscale hotels, including the city’s historic grand hotels, alongside high-end apartments and serviced residences. For individual executives who value concierge services, room service and immediate access to restaurants and event activity, this can be the simplest option.
La Croisette is particularly well suited to first-time visitors, senior executives and anyone whose priority is convenience without compromising on the classic Cannes experience.
Distance to Palais: from immediately adjacent to approximately 3 km, depending on the property
Typical walk: around 5-35 minutes depending on location
Typical taxi/car journey: a few minutes in normal traffic; allow significantly more during major events
Accommodation: luxury hotels, five-star properties, serviced apartments and high-end private apartments
Le Suquet has historic character within walking distance of the Palais
Le Suquet offers a very different version of Cannes.
The city’s oldest district rises above the Old Port, with narrow streets, historic buildings, small restaurants and viewpoints overlooking the bay. It is the historic heart of the city, where Cannes’ origins as a fishing village are still particularly visible.
For a business traveller, its biggest advantage is that you can have a strong sense of place without sacrificing centrality. The lower part of Le Suquet is only a short walk from the Palais, while the Old Port and the centre are immediately below.
The catch is the terrain. Le Suquet is built on a hill, and some of its most atmospheric streets involve stairs, slopes and cobblestones. A ten-minute walk on a map can feel quite different when you are carrying luggage, returning after a long day or wearing business attire.
For that reason, the exact location of the property matters more here than the neighborhood name alone. Accommodation at the lower end of the district can be exceptionally convenient, while properties higher up offer more views and atmosphere but require more effort to reach.
Le Suquet is a particularly appealing choice for travellers who want restaurants and local character close to their accommodation rather than the full concentration of luxury hotels found along the Croisette. Boutique hotels, smaller luxury properties, private apartments and serviced apartments are common accommodation formats.
It can work particularly well for executives extending a business trip by a few days, smaller corporate groups and travellers who prefer to stay somewhere with more personality. It is less suitable for guests with mobility issues or anyone who needs completely effortless access by car.
For transport, walking will often be more practical than taking a taxi into the centre. Cannes also operates a dedicated electric shuttle serving Le Suquet, connecting the Old Town with the town hall area.
Distance to Palais: approximately 0.5-1.2 km depending on the property
Typical walk: around 7-15 minutes, with uphill sections in the upper part of the district
Typical taxi/car journey: generally only a few minutes
Accommodation: boutique hotels, private apartments and serviced apartments
Palm Beach & Pointe Croisette are a quieter base by the sea
At the eastern end of La Croisette, Palm Beach and Pointe Croisette offer a noticeably different pace.
The peninsula is surrounded by water, with beaches, restaurants and residential streets creating a more relaxed atmosphere than the centre. It still feels unmistakably like Cannes, but the concentration of event activity is lower, particularly once you move away from the main Croisette.
That makes Palm Beach particularly attractive for business travellers who are staying for several days and do not want their entire trip to revolve around the Palais. It is also a good fit for bleisure travel, when a conference or event is combined with personal time by the sea.
The distance to the Palais is perfectly manageable, but it is no longer a location where walking should automatically be assumed to be the most efficient option. Depending on the exact property, the journey is around 2-3 km. A walk can take roughly 20-35 minutes, while a taxi or car journey may take around 8-15 minutes in normal conditions.
During major events, it is worth planning transport rather than relying on a car at the last minute. Cannes becomes considerably busier during its major professional and cultural events, and a route that looks straightforward on a map may take longer by road.
Palm Beach accommodation tends to include upscale hotels, boutique properties, serviced apartments and private apartments. The area can also make sense for small corporate groups that want more space than a standard hotel room provides.
A private villa can be particularly compelling here when the priority is combining proximity to the city with outdoor space, privacy and a more relaxed environment after a full day of meetings.
Distance to Palais: approximately 2-3 km
Typical walk: around 20-35 minutes
Typical taxi/car journey: around 8-15 minutes in normal traffic
Accommodation: upscale hotels, boutique hotels, apartments and selected private villas
La Californie is where privacy, views and luxury residential living meet
La Californie is one of the most useful neighborhoods to consider when the accommodation itself matters almost as much as its proximity to the Palais.
Set on the hills above Cannes, it has a more residential character, with greenery, substantial private properties and panoramic views towards the bay and the Lérins Islands. The atmosphere is significantly quieter than the Croisette, even though the centre is still relatively close.
For corporate travellers, this changes the nature of the stay. Rather than stepping out of a hotel directly into the city’s event activity, you return to a private, residential environment at the end of the day.
The trade-off is transport. La Californie covers a relatively large and elevated area, so the exact position of a property makes a significant difference. A villa may appear close to the Palais in straight-line distance while being less practical on foot because of the hill and road layout.
As a general guide, properties in La Californie can be around 1.5-3 km from the Palais. Walking may take roughly 15-30 minutes, but it is not necessarily the most practical option. A taxi or private car will often take around 5-15 minutes in normal traffic, depending on where the property is located.
For an executive with a packed meeting schedule, this is where private transport becomes useful. Rather than judging La Californie simply by its distance from the Palais, think about your itinerary: if you are leaving the property once in the morning and returning in the evening, the additional privacy may easily outweigh the need for a short drive.
Accommodation here is particularly well suited to villas and private residences, alongside larger apartments and selected luxury properties. It is one of the strongest choices in Cannes for corporate groups who need several bedrooms, shared living areas or a private setting for informal meetings and entertaining.
For EAS clients, this is one of the situations where private villa accommodation can genuinely offer something different from a hotel: more space, greater privacy and the possibility of keeping a group together under one roof.
Distance to Palais: approximately 1.5-3 km, depending on the property
Typical walk: around 15-30 minutes, although the terrain makes walking less practical
Typical taxi/car journey: around 5-15 minutes in normal traffic
Accommodation: private villas, luxury residences and larger apartments
Super Cannes offers maximum privacy and space above the city
Super Cannes takes the advantages of La Californie and pushes them further towards privacy and seclusion.
Located higher in the hills above Cannes, this is not the neighborhood to choose if you want to walk to the Palais. It is the neighborhood to choose because you want the accommodation itself to provide space, privacy and a sense of retreat.
The elevated setting gives many properties expansive views across the bay and surrounding landscape. The atmosphere is residential and secluded, with large villas and estates rather than the concentration of hotels found closer to the waterfront.
For a solo delegate attending meetings at the Palais all day, Super Cannes would rarely be the most practical choice. For a corporate group sharing a villa, however, the calculation is completely different.
A group can leave the centre after meetings, return to a private property and continue working, entertaining clients or simply decompressing away from the event crowds. This is particularly valuable for leadership teams, production groups and clients who want privacy during a multi-day stay.
The Palais is generally several kilometres away by road, and walking should not be considered a realistic daily commute. Depending on the exact property, allow approximately 10-20 minutes by car or taxi in normal traffic, with considerably more time possible during major events.
For this reason, private transport is an important consideration when booking accommodation in Super Cannes. If the property is being used by a group, coordinating transfers around meetings and evening events can make the difference between a smooth stay and a frustrating one.
Accommodation is overwhelmingly centred on private villas and large luxury residences rather than traditional hotels.
For corporate groups, this is where an EAS villa can become more than accommodation: the property can function as a private base for the entire stay, with the wider logistics planned around the group’s schedule.
Distance to Palais: approximately 4-6 km depending on the property
Typical walk: not recommended as a practical event commute
Typical taxi/car journey: approximately 10-20 minutes in normal traffic
Accommodation: private villas and large luxury residences
Which Cannes neighborhood is right for you?
There is no single best area to stay in Cannes. The right choice depends on what you want your accommodation to do for you.
If your priority is being as close as possible to the Palais, choose La Croisette, particularly towards the Palais end of the boulevard. Central accommodation in the area commonly referred to as La Banane can offer a similarly convenient location while giving you a wider choice of apartments and residences. If you want luxury and prestige, La Croisette remains the classic choice. You are surrounded by Cannes’ best-known hotels, beaches, restaurants and boutiques, with the city’s event activity effectively on your doorstep.
For character and local atmosphere, choose Le Suquet. It gives you historic streets, independent restaurants and views over the bay while remaining within walking distance of the Palais. Just remember that the hill is part of the experience.
If you want beach access and a more relaxed environment, Palm Beach / Pointe Croisette is worth considering. It works particularly well for longer stays and for travellers who want to combine a demanding business schedule with time by the sea.
For privacy without being too far from the centre, La Californie is one of the strongest options. It is especially well suited to senior executives and corporate groups who prefer a private villa or larger residence to a conventional hotel.
And if space, seclusion and privacy are more important than walkability, Super Cannes is the natural choice. It is particularly suited to larger corporate groups, VIP stays and teams who benefit from sharing a private property.
For business travellers, the most important question is therefore not simply “How far is the accommodation from the Palais?” It is: how will the location fit into the way I am actually spending my time in Cannes?
During a major event, a five-minute walk can be more valuable than a beautiful property that requires multiple daily transfers. Equally, for a group staying for several days, the privacy and space of a villa can be far more valuable than being directly on the Croisette.
Cannes is compact enough that all five areas can work. The key is matching the neighborhood to the people staying there, the schedule they need to follow and the kind of experience they want outside working hours.
If you are planning a business trip, corporate event or group stay in Cannes, EAS – Executive Accommodation & Services can help you assess the location as well as the accommodation itself. From executive stays and private villas to the wider logistics around an event, our local team can help find a solution that fits your group, schedule and requirements.
Planning a stay in Cannes? Contact EAS to discuss your accommodation and event requirements.
EAS is a Barcelona-based DMC offering premium MICE services with over 35 years of combined industry experience,
consistently delivering unparalleled event experiences. EAS delivers custom solutions for corporate accommodation
and events in Barcelona, Cannes and other select European locations.
