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The final months of 2022 brought bad news for members of the InterContinental Ambassador program. In November, IHG confirmed that Ambassador benefits will no longer be offered at Regent Hotels & Resorts and that the programs free weekend night certificate will no longer be useable at Kimpton properties. And in December, we were told that the InterContinental Carlton Cannes would be reflagged as the Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, following refurbishment works.
Now, we’re told, the updated hotel is ready to reopen its doors.
The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
The InterContinental Carlton Cannes has been closed since late 2020 and anyone visiting the hotel’s website was informed that the property would reopen “for its great metamorphosis” in spring 2023.
In December last year, IHG announced that as part of the continuing development of its luxury & lifestyle portfolio in France, the Carlton Cannes would reopen as a Regent Hotel following its refurbishment.
“Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel will open in Spring 2023 after a two-year multi-million Euro redevelopment. The property will become a flagship property within the new generation of Regent Hotels & Resorts, as the brand – part of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle Collection – returns to reimagine modern luxury once more.”
Today, in a further announcement, this what IHG has had to say about the makeover the property has been given:
“The epitome of elegance and the ‘Grande Dame’ of Cannes’ hotel scene, the property’s majestic Belle Epoque façade – framed by twin domes – has been breathtakingly restored giving new life to this historic gem. With 332 rooms – 72 of which have a sea view – and 37 branded residences, Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel has been reimagined by acclaimed French interior designer Tristan Auer, known for his singular approach, polyhedral aesthetics and exquisite vision with just a touch of irreverence. The project was designed and supervised with meticulous orchestration by restoration specialist and architect Richard Lavelle.”
“The two-year grand-scale renovation skillfully preserved the hotel’s historic features including its legendary façade resulting in a modern-day masterpiece. The addition of two striking wings, measuring 20,000 square metres and home to luxury residences, envelop the rear of the property creating an enclosed garden with peristyle alcoves, sleek sunbathing decks, handcrafted cabanas and the largest hotel infinity pool in Cannes.”
The announcement also says that the Carlton Cannes will reopen on Monday, 13 March 2023 (in just 3 days time), but if you head over to IHG.com and try to make a booking for any date this month, this is the message that you’ll currently see:
In fact, if you use the “view available dates” function you’ll see that the property isn’t offering rooms until 7 April (I have no idea why this is the case).
Cash rates appear to start at around €450/night and rise to over €1,000/night on peak dates. From a reward night perspective, my limited searches have yet to reveal any availability at under 100,000 points/night. Most nights sppe to cost between 106,000 and 120,000 points.
Quick thoughts
For a lot of InterContinental Ambassador fans (especially those based in Europe), the news that the Carlton Cannes has been reflagged will be disappointing as the property has long been a great place at which to stay and at which to use (to great effect) the free weekend certificate that comes as one of the benefits of the Ambassador program.
As a Regent Hotel, the Carlton Cannes is still part of the IHG One Rewards Loyalty program so for those of us who aren’t part of the Ambassador program, the reflagging won’t mean very much, but as this is now the second high profile InterContinental property to be reflagged as a Regent Hotel (the InterContinental Hong Kong is expected to reopen as a Regent Hotel later this year), quite a few people are probably wondering if any other significant InterContinental Properties will go down the same path.
Overall, however, it’s important to recognize that the Carlton was overdue a makeover, so even though it’s sad to see it leaving the InterContinental brand, it’s nice to see it being given the TLC that it needs and deserves.
Bottom line
We’re told that the InterContinental Carlton will reopen as the Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel on Monday, 13 March 2023. Currently, the IHG website appears to disagree with that assessment, but what we do know for sure is that the refurbished hotel will be accepting guests no later than 7 April.
For regular IHG fans, the hotel’s reflagging won’t mean much of a change, but for InterContinental Ambassador members it will mean one less great property at which they can use their benefits.
Let’s hope the renovations are worth it.
The 
