Cannes

Mar 31st - Apr 3rd 2011

Thursday 31st March 2011

Home to Stansted

After a normal day’s work - arrived home around 18.45 for a quick tea and some packing.

Risotto and a mad dash around and we were ready to head off for Stansted just after 20.00. Not a bad drive at all - took about 1'20" in total.

Found the Holiday Inn Express next to the airport. Stuart had already checked in and called just as we were at the front desk. Room was perfectly fine. We decided the strap line for Holiday Inn Express should be something like "Perfectly Adequate".

Met up with Stuart in the lobby and decided to go for a McDonalds coffee and McFlurry just across the car park. Sat and chatted for a while looking at various things on our Blackberrys (or should that be Blackberries).

Back to the room and bed around 23.30 with alarm set for 07.00 - ready for the journey to Nice.

Friday 1st April 2011

Stansted to Nice

After experiencing the bed at the Holiday Inn Express in Barry, I wasn't hopeful of a good night's sleep. Plus having seen the clientele at this HIE I figured we'd be kept awake all night with people running up and down the corridors. How wrong was I??! Superb nights sleep in a really comfortable bed with no noise at all.

Met Stuart in the lobby around 08.15 for breakfast. Not a bad one at all. Had some cereal and some bread and toast and juice and coffee and felt ready to face the airport.

Only flown from Stansted once before and it was pretty awful. Admittedly that was with Ryanair so maybe that was to be expected. I had VERY low expectations.

We checked out and I called Purple Parking to let them know we were on our way. Less than a 5 minute journey up to the airport and the woman from Purple Parking was waiting for us. Went into the airport and found the EasyJet check-in. Not a soul to be seen. We had a choice of 5 desks. Check in was very efficient so we went around to Special Assistance to sort out the chair. Again very helpful - what's going on???

Security was a doddle - they pushed us right to the front of the queue and we were through in about 5 minutes. Very simple. In the departure lounge we made a quick stop in Boots for some Strepsils and some Paracetamol for my throat and then found a Starbucks. Nikki rang her Mum and then I rang Dad to say good morning.

We were going from Gate 14 which meant we had to go on the mono-rail thingy. Really impressed by the area around Gate 14 - very American with a few cafes and a nice relaxed atmosphere. Two chaps then arrived to get Nikki and the chair on the plane. Very friendly indeed. They were joking about pushing people down stairs at the airport to try and drum up more business for Special Assistance in the future. Took us out to the Ambu-Lift and we were straight on board and in our usual seats at the front.

In the same way Gatwick changed my mind after using it to go to Egypt - Stansted has totally changed my mind this time. Had I not been there before and had a rubbish experience, I'd be judging this as one of the best airports I'd been through. Funny innit?!?!

Flight was pretty straight forward and uneventful. Had a coffee and shared a sandwich before we landed in Nice. Nice airport juts quite a way out to sea so an odd feeling when landing - felt like we were about to land on water.

Getting through the airport was generally good. Bags came quite quickly and we headed off to Hertz. They handed over the keys in about a minute - there was a really nice looking open-topped Mercedes out front so I made the mistake of asking how much it would be to upgrade to that. We'd booked a Ford C-Max which was €90 - to get the Merc it was an extra €600 - we declined.

Headed out of the airport for the 10 minute drive around to Port Saint Laurent. Basically it's at the top end of the runway. By the time we'd driven through the town and found the beach-front we could see the planes lining up for take-off!

Found the Holiday Inn Resort with low expectations. Looked rubbish from the road with balconies overlooking a busy roundabout. Checked in and they'd upgraded us to an Exec room with a sea view. Really nice sized room. Decor is a little tired but that's more than made up for with the superb balcony and view over the bay. The hotel is in a semi-circle looking out to sea with a promenade in front with a few restaurants.

Decided to go for a butchers - but first to park the car. It's an underground, gated car-park which is obviously below sea level. Great echoes down there.

Found a place on the front for a late lunch. Nikki and I had some very nice crepes while Stuart had a tomato roll in French bread - or bread as they call it here in France.

We needed a few provisions so headed further down the promenade where we found a Galleries Lafayette. Massive supermarket so we got what we needed and headed back to the room for some down-time.

I fell asleep - as did Nikki. Woke up with a really bad back after about half an hour. Didn't think too much about it as it eased after a while.

Met for dinner about 20.00. Nice restaurant on the front next to the hotel called Le Voiler. Italian-type food which we were expecting to pay a fortune for. I had 4 cheese gnocci, Nikki had a bruschetta with aubergine and Stuart had a spag bol. Nikki and Stuart had some wine and a green salad and we shared a plate of French Fries - or Fries as they call them here in France. Really nice food in a great setting. Total came to €62 including tip which, for the South of France, ain't too bad at all.

Had a quick walk up the promenade and then were ready for bed by 22.00

Busy day and tomorrow is the big one!

Saturday 2nd April 2011

Nice to Cannes

So there are comfortable beds, uncomfortable beds and then there are Holiday Inn Resort beds.

Woke up in agony around 05.00. I think I'd have been more comfortable in the bath-tub. Horrific nights sleep made worse by the fact the A/C in the room wasn't working. Even Nikki was boiling and she got cold in Western Australia when it was 40 degrees.

Had some coffee and opened the door to the balcony for a bit and managed to cool the room down.

I'd asked at reception if there was an ironing board available and was told there was a laundry room on the first floor. Figured I go there and iron my shirt ready for Cannes. But no. The room in which you can iron your shirt before heading out for the day opens at 10.00. What use is that? It's like having a place for after dinner drinks that closes at 16.00. Rubbish. Decided to vent my annoyance on the blog.

(Nikki - that didn't work - he's still moaning!)

Next up is breakfast which we've been told costs €23 each so we'll see how good that it before deciding to spend that kind of money! Off for a shower now.

Met in the lobby and took a quick butchers at brekkie - it was pretty rubbish and not worth the money. Decided it was time to leg it so went back to the room, packed, got the car and hit the road.

Drove out of the town heading towards Cannes with the idea we'd stop at the first decent looking place for breakfast. Spotted a boulangerie on the outskirts and pulled off there. Absolutely stunning display of bread and cakes with a coffee machine and few seats outside in the sun. Sorted. Had pain-au-chocolat, doughnuts and coffee which cost a couple of Euros. Result. Stuart got a loaf of bread sliced up as well which was delicious.

Arrived in Cannes - sun shining, blue sky and just the hint of a breeze - just as it should be.  Drove up La Croisette and past our next hotel - couldn't miss it!  The biggest and grandest of them all - the Intercontinental Carlton Cannes. Turned around and drove up the drive to the front door. It's valet parking, and as we were in a queue at this point, we just went with the flow! Attendants very smartly dressed, polite and incredibly helpful. Stuart jumped out to go and book us into the suite - we left him in charge as he is the 'Master' in this scenario. Chances were that he would also be having a row with someone, so best leave him to it.

We arrived in reception a few minutes afterwards. There's a major TV show buying event being held in the hotel, so LOADS of people milling around with blue lanyards on. 

After the standard discussion with front desk about the free use of the mini-bar, we were escorted to our room. It was number 241 - The Dirk Bogarde Suite if you don't mind!

Double doors at the front leading into a long corridor with a bedroom off each side and the lounge area at the front. Three floor to ceiling French windows (or windows as they call them) overlooking La Croisette with a small balcony on each one. Lounge has a dining table, a desk, coffee table and a very comfortable couch area. Could get used to this. We just wandered around for about 30 minutes opening every door and drawer we could find to explore and then spent ages taking pictures from every possible angle.

No two ways about it - this is a stunning room. 

We'd arranged to go for a tour of a posh boat in nearby La Napoule so we rang down to get the car brought around. Took about ten minutes to arrive during which time we took loads of photos of the outside of the hotel. Very busy with the TV conference going on but eventually we got back into the car.

La Napoule is a small town a few miles up the coast. Drove through Cannes and along the coast road before finding the port. We were on the look-out for the Sunseeker office which we found down on the port. Had been told to ask for James or Gloria which we did. James pointed out a boat we could go and have a butchers at and said he'd come over in a few minutes. He opened up the boat and we got on down the gang-plank very gingerly. Well me and Stuart did - Nikki jumped on like she was some kind of nautical gazelle. 

Not a huge boat but certainly very nice. We had to take our shoes off before going below-decks (as us maritime people say). Not a huge amount of room but had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sitting area and a kitchen - all for under half a million quid. James left us with the boat and went off to see a real customer - we just posed for a bit and took pictures of us sitting in the driver's seat. 

Back on dry land with no sign of a vomit and we decided it was time for lunch. Had a quick look at the eateries on the front at La Napoule but decided they were just too expensive so we drove back to Cannes. Dropped off the car at the hotel and walked around a bit until we found a small (and I mean small) place next to a busy road. They did us a decent sandwich and a drink for €5 - which for Cannes was amazing! 

Headed back to the room. We're paying nothing for such an expensive room that it seems a shame not to be in it! We had more coffee and nibbles there before deciding to go back out and try to find the tourist bus for a look around Cannes. We'd seen open-topped double-deckers going past on La Croixette but a quick call down to the Concierge and we discovered these weren't the tour buses but in fact local buses. The tourist bus was one of those road train thingys which went from near La Palais. 

We wandered down and found the stop - or at least we thought we did. There was clearly a picture of a road train along with a board telling us the next departure was at 16.10. As it was 16.20 by this point we figured that was probably wrong so we waited. And waited, and waited and waited. By about 16.50 we were getting bored but decided to stick with it. We then figured we were in the wrong place so decided to walk up the road a bit and ask at the tourist office. They informed us we were in fact at the right place so we went back there. Twenty minutes later we saw the train going the other way on the other side of the road. We figured it was just turning around and would be with us shortly. Well that would be too simple! Another half an hour went by before the damn thing turned up. We rushed forward to make sure we got seats and then realised we were the only ones on it! A few more people got on - about 10 of us in total. But the driver showed no sign of departing. We asked him and he said he needed a minimum of 12 people before he could go. Sadly with all the waiting some of the 10 decided to get off. After about 15 minutes when we were becoming more and more annoyed at this driver Stuart rang their head office but got no luck out of them so we abandoned ship and legged it ourselves. 

Next to the road-train stop there's a coffee/ice-cream shop so we went in there and had afternoon ice-creams while watching people get on and off the road train. We left after about 20 minutes and the damn thing was still there waiting for its 12 mythical passengers! 

Took a wander away from the front and found a series of back-streets with some nice looking restaurants in before coming to the main shopping street in Cannes. Loads of designer shops. Had a quick look in a sort of Apple/Borders type store before feeling knackered. 

We went back to the room and Nikki and Stuart cracked open some Champagne to celebrate our amazing room. We sat in the suite living room watching ITV news and then watched Harry Hill as well! Not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening with the sounds of La Croixette drifting in through our open windows. 

Around 20.00 we decided it was tea-time so headed out to the back-streets we'd discovered earlier. Found an Italian place that was doing good business. Only free tables were out the front so we settled in but decided to move once the window table inside became free. Really nice food and loads of it. Stuart had spaghetti, I had mushroom risotto and Nikki had an eggplant type of thingy. Came to €68 in total which wasn't bad considering where we were. Thoroughly enjoyable evening. 

Walked back to the hotel around 22.30 along the sea front. Amazing to see tourists stopping to take pictures of our hotel. Back to the room for a last coffee before collapsing into bed. And what a bed - one of the most comfortable I've ever slept in.

Superb day.

Sunday 3rd April 2011

Cannes to Home

Woke up around 09.00 after an excellent night's sleep. This is the way to start your Sunday morning. The sun coming up over the Med while you sip coffee in your lounge with the window open.  

Stuart surfaced around 09.20 - he'd been in his room enjoying the comfortable bed for a bit longer. Then we started the Great Breakfast Debate. We knew that the Carlton Breakfast would be superb but it was coming in at €37 per person - which is expensive in anyone's book. We'd discussed going out to a supermarket and then bringing supplies back to the room but we agreed we'd regret it if we didn't try the breakfast. 

Headed down about 10.00 to the breakfast room. Certainly one of the top 3 breakfasts I've ever seen. Perhaps beaten by the Intercontinental Festival City and of course the Holiday Inn Express in Stansted. Got shown to our table which had a view of the outside terrace with the sea beyond. Amazing choice - we had some really nice coffees brought to the table and then went to the fruit buffet. Then I spotted the eggs menu on the next table so ordered an omelette with some hash browns. Got some toast and freshly squeezed orange juice as well. Then we raided the cake section. Basically we pigged out and got our money's worth! 

After a quick trip back to the room we headed out for a morning stroll to work off breakfast. Went in to the JW Marriott a couple of doors down and asked to see some of their rooms. The front desk manager escorted us around. We certainly got the better deal at The Carlton. The rooms were very nice but nowhere near as big as our suite. The manager was very interested in our opinions as the hotel had only just opened as a Marriott - they hadn't even got the Marriott beds in yet.  

After a wander around there we walked back up La Croixette and went back to the room for some leisurely packing before our 14.00 check-out. Very sorry to leave this room. It's a taste of another lifestyle I could easily get used to - but then maybe we wouldn't appreciate it as much if every night was in a room like this one. 

Stuart checked us out and we got our car brought around. Moment of panic when I couldn't find my wallet then realised I'd managed to pack it in the case. Wallet retrieved and we headed on our way. 

Got a bit lost getting out of Cannes but traffic was light and we eventually found the motorway taking us back to Nice. Easy drive - took about 20 minutes. At the airport we found the petrol station and put €9 worth of diesel in the car before returning it to Hertz. They're re-doing parts of Nice airport so it was a bit of a wander to get to the terminal building from the car-park. 

No queue at check-in. We were told to wait near a shop for special assistance who'd be down in 10 minutes. After 20 there was no sign of them so we decided to go through security. We then discovered that that wasn't allowed. All people in chairs have to be escorted. We kicked off a little bit but as Stuart pointed out, there is a limit to the amount you can kick-off at an airport! Assistance arrived and took us to another security gate with a private channel so we felt a bit bad for kicking off - only a little though. 

They took us up to the gate where we got some coffee before boarding started. They moved everyone into the air-bridge which had no A/C at all meaning it was getting quite hot by the time we actually got to get on the plane. We were in the front three seats so the flight home was pretty easy. Back at Stansted the lift was waiting so we were got off the plane very quickly. Stuart had legged it as he was trying to catch a train that left in half an hour - and he made it! We collected our bags and the assistance lady took us down to the car park where our car was brought around in about 5 minutes. 

Stopped at the Wild Bean near the Holiday Inn Express for coffee, bread, milk and chocolate and headed home down a busy M11 and M25. Got home about 20.00ish which wasn't too bad at all.

What a superb trip - felt like we'd been away for more than 2 days. The build up and anticipation to our suite was worth it and really added to the experience. Next up the REALLY big suite in Paris!!