Natural & Modern

f you’ve recently passed through the centre of Cannes you’ve probably noticed that the Rue des Serbes is currently a building site. And it’s not alone – the Hôtel Barrière Le Gray d’Albion, the main building on the street, has also recently initiated a programme of major restoration work. In 2017 and 2018, the Barrière Group is investing another 19 million euros in the renovation of its hotels in Cannes, which brings the total amount invested since 2009 to almost 120 million euros.

Having renovated all the guestrooms at the Gray d’Albion, including the bathrooms, the Group, presided over by Dominique Desseigne, is continuing with its restoration of this 4-star hotel in Cannes by moving its attention to the building’s first two floors. The bar, lobby and business rooms will all soon boast new decor.

For this new look, designer Alexandre Danan has created a pared-down ambience with a natural contemporary elegance which is in perfect harmony with the hotel’s commitment to the environment, one of the hotel’s priorities for many years now. However, the Parisian architect has not simply limited himself to changing the appearance of the rooms, introducing wood panelling, new fabrics and coverings, and modernising the furniture: at his client’s request he has also taken a good look at the overall decor and has completely rearranged the rooms under restoration. The key word for this restoration project is decompartmentalisation! In the lobby area, the bar and the concierge office walls are being knocked down and there’s a merging of roles, with the hotel staff being more visible and accessible to guests than ever before in a bid to offer better service, more comfort and a warmer atmosphere.

This new modern look is not just evident inside the Gray d’Albion: the wind of change is also blowing around the hotel’s exterior, with large strips of American walnut soon to be fitted on to the hotel façade. This facelift has a very specific aim, namely to express the hotel’s true image and identity which are based on a successful marriage of modernity – one of the luxury hotel sector’s key values – and the conviviality which attracts visitors from across the globe to the French Riviera, and to the city of the famous film festival in particular.

According to Dominique Desseigne, President of the Barrière Group, “At the Hôtel Barrière Le Gray d'Albion we are continuing to pursue our active hotel renovation policy, so that we can meet the needs of our guests even more successfully than before. The hotel will open in early spring with a pared-down, open-plan look which is nonetheless warm and convivial.”

Make a date in your diary for Friday 9^th March, when this next exciting chapter in the long and unique history of the Hôtel Barrière Le Gray d’Albion will be revealed.