As the world’s top-tier brands, high-profile personalities and power brokers gather at the French Riviera for Cannes Lions this summer, upscale travel now represents as much a part of the festival as the advertising accolades themselves. Page Six sat down with Jack Ezon, founder and principal of Embark Beyond, a bespoke travel firm specialising in personalised travel arrangements, to discover where the elite travellers are booking accommodation, dining out and escaping the crowds. With visitor spending in the French Riviera and Amalfi Coast up nearly 100 per cent compared to 2022, and nearly every prestigious hotel fully booked, the question is not anymore where to go — but how to obtain a room at all.
The Carlton’s Rebirth and Cannes Renewed
For many years, Cannes had been overlooked by the international jet-set, who preferred neighbouring Monte Carlo, Antibes, and Cap Ferrat instead. The departure stemmed chiefly from a dearth of high-quality hotels options. That changed markedly with the Carlton’s $500 million transformation. Regent has successfully renovated one of the world’s most iconic hotels whilst retaining its individual charm and heritage. The transformation has substantially rejuvenated Cannes as the French Riviera’s leading resort, restoring its status as the destination of choice for discerning travellers.
According to Ezon, the Carlton’s restoration signifies much more than a basic hotel renovation—it’s a cultural landmark. The property now anchors a captivating travel plan that combines seamlessly with nearby Monte Carlo, the opulent recently opened Maybourne Riviera, or the lively character of St. Tropez. For those looking for escape from the event calendar, the glorious Provence lies only two hours’ drive by car, delivering an idyllic detox-retox fusion experience. This geographical flexibility has converted Cannes from a single-night stop into a extended stay location worthy of serious consideration.
- Art-deco and Belle Époque aesthetic with contemporary polish
- Sprawling courtyard and pool with Croisette vistas
- Bright white carpeting and luxurious lacquered wooden finishes
- Attainable luxury for those seeking non-seafront lodging
What Sets the Redesigned Icon Apart
Walking through the reimagined Carlton creates the kind of visceral reaction characteristic of truly outstanding spaces. The design team has achieved the careful equilibrium between respecting the hotel’s storied past and adopting current design principles. Every detail whispers rather than shouts, from the meticulously restored architectural elements to the carefully curated modern pieces. The final effect is an utterly classic environment that feels both timeless and pleasantly modern, allowing guests to experience the glamour of yesteryear without forgoing today’s comfort standards.
The addition of the expansive courtyard with pool represents a particularly clever intervention, addressing a longstanding limitation for guests unable to secure oceanfront rooms. This new gathering space delivers impressive views whilst cultivating the kind of social atmosphere essential to a festival venue. The bright, airy aesthetic throughout—from pristine carpeting to polished finishes—creates an atmosphere of understated elegance. For Cannes Lions attendees, the Carlton now provides the ideal combination of professional capabilities and recreational indulgence.
Beyond the Festival: Provence’s New Havens
Whilst Cannes Lions commands the headlines, savvy travellers are increasingly seeking escape to the sun-drenched villages of Provence, located merely a two-hour drive inland from the Riviera’s glittering coast. This strategic proximity has elevated the region into an vital part of any discerning summer itinerary, offering a striking alternative to festival fatigue. The rolling lavender fields, terracotta-coloured stone villages, and world-class wine estates deliver the ideal backdrop for what high-end travel specialists term a “detox-retox fusion”—the ideal balance between cultural immersion and sophisticated relaxation that appeals to the international elite.
The draw of Provence surpasses its picturesque appeal. The region has quietly developed an distinguished array of boutique hotels, award-winning dining establishments, and spa resorts that cater to the comparable refined visitors frequenting Cannes. Local markets burst with fresh ingredients, whilst traditional manor houses have been thoughtfully converted into luxury hospitality venues. For festival attendees seeking to decompress without venturing too far from the action, Provence provides the ideal middle ground—close enough for a rapid retreat to the Riviera, yet appropriately separated to deliver real respite from the demanding social schedule.
| Destination | Defining Character |
|---|---|
| Avignon | Historic papal city with Renaissance architecture and vibrant cultural scene |
| Aix-en-Provence | Elegant university town renowned for art galleries and sophisticated dining |
| Luberon Valley | Picturesque wine region dotted with medieval villages and lavender fields |
| Isle-sur-la-Sorgue | Charming riverside village famous for antique markets and artisan shops |
| Gordes | Hilltop settlement offering dramatic vistas and bohemian-luxe accommodation |
The Quiet Escape Route
The journey from the Riviera into Provence represents more than mere geographical displacement; it constitutes a conscious shift in pace and perspective. Those exiting the festival circuit find themselves immersed in a distinctly different energy—one prioritising leisurely pace, culinary exploration, and natural beauty over social engagement and showmanship. The region’s established wellness retreats and spa facilities address the needs of visitors desiring renewal, whilst its wine properties and food-focused encounters satisfy those desiring authentic cultural engagement rather than orchestrated festival events.
Local Hidden Gems and Local Discoveries
Beyond the headline venues and flagship establishments, the French Riviera harbours a collection of understated hotspots where the festival cognoscenti convene away from the public eye. These establishments—tucked into side streets of Antibes, positioned above the Mediterranean in Cap Ferrat, or situated in St. Tropez’s labyrinthine old town—work by an unspoken principle of privacy through anonymity. Jack Ezon’s insights demonstrate that discerning visitors actively pursue family-run restaurants, standalone retailers, and exclusive membership venues that provide true Riviera charm rather than refined international amenities. The most coveted reservations often result from direct referrals or long-standing relationships with concierge staff who grasp the refined tastes of their clientele.
The resurgence of Cannes as a destination has inadvertently reignited interest in its adjacent communities, especially the artistic districts of Le Cannet and the creative spaces scattered throughout the hinterland. Local artisans, local vintners, and established art venues have thrived as cultured travellers venture beyond hotel lobbies in search of genuine cultural experiences. These discoveries often represent the standout moments of any Côte d’Azur visit—chance encounters at a local marketplace, a evening drink at a family-owned terrace, or stumbling upon a contemporary art installation in an unexpected locale. The genuine magic of the region lies not in its luxury facilities, but in these spontaneous experiences of discovery.
- Michelin-starred bistros concealed within historic hamlets provide outstanding food without pretension
- Private yacht clubs grant privileged entry to remote inlets and underwater dining experiences
- Independent art galleries feature emerging contemporary artists throughout the Côte d’Azur
- Family vineyards offer intimate tastings and vineyard dinners with regional vintners
- Artisanal markets offer seasonal produce, local crafts, and genuine local delicacies
Beachfront Venues and After-Dark Entertainment
The Riviera’s beach clubs have evolved considerably beyond their stereotypical reputation, now functioning as upscale round-the-clock establishments where gastronomic quality rivals their social cachet. Contemporary venues effortlessly shift from leisurely lunch settings into lively nighttime entertainment spaces, featuring world-class DJs, live entertainment, and curated cocktail programmes. The most selective patrons gravitates towards clubs emphasising understated elegance—those offering Mediterranean cuisine prepared by celebrated culinary experts, oceanfront infinity pools, and service standards that anticipate every requirement without intrusive fussiness.
Why High-End Travel Defies Market Pressures
Whilst broader economic concerns dominate headlines, the luxury travel sector continues to flourish with notable strength. Jack Ezon’s research shows that revenue across the Côte d’Azur and Amalfi Coast has climbed close to 100 per cent compared to 2022, demonstrating that wealthy travellers remain committed to high-end experiences regardless of economic uncertainty. This counter-intuitive trend represents a fundamental shift in priorities among wealthy individuals, who increasingly view bespoke travel as an essential investment rather than discretionary spending. The sector’s strength indicates that for the world’s elite, exceptional experiences serve as both a refuge from uncertainty and a concrete expression of success.
The attraction of curated luxury travel experiences transcends mere escapism; it constitutes a deliberate recalibration of how the wealthy deploy capital. Rather than reducing expenditure, affluent travellers are growing increasingly discerning, prioritising quality ahead of quantity and pursuing exclusive, personalised itineraries that deliver genuine value. This discerning approach has advantaged specialists like Embark Beyond, whose skill in creating bespoke journeys commands premium positioning. The Carlton’s $500 million transformation exemplifies this phenomenon—hotels and destinations committing significant resources in world-class infrastructure and service standards continue attracting clientele willing to pay accordingly, demonstrating that premium travel experiences remains recession-resistant when genuine quality and distinction are genuinely delivered.
- Ultra-high-net-worth individuals prioritise transformative experiences over material acquisitions
- Bespoke travel arrangements commands premium fees as exclusivity gains greater importance
- Destination reinvestment appeals to wealthy visitors pursuing uncompromised quality and refinement