New Kid-Friendly Boutique Hotel on the Côte d’Azur

It’s not easy to find a truly kid-friendly boutique hotel. To find one in Cannes on the Côte d’Azur is somewhat of a miracle.

When the new Five Hotel & Spa invited me to tour their hotel while I was at International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in December, I had my doubts that the hottest hotel in town would take kids seriously.

I’m pleased to report, I was wrong.

Executive suite with kids’ welcome treats

Kid-Friendly Five Hotel & Spa

Five Hotel is a 5-star hotel designed with parent-only pleasures in mind — exquisite guest rooms, a restaurant featuring Michelin-starred chefs, a rooftop lounge, and a Cinq Mondes spa. There’s even a 27-meter-long yacht, the Coca VI, guests can access.

And no, Five Hotel doesn’t have a kids’ club or playground. It’s definitely not a family-focused resort with a long list of kid things to see and do. It is, however, kid-friendly and a perfect option for families who want an interesting, intimate, and gorgeous place to stay. Since there is little open space for kids to roam onsite, it’s best for families who plan on being at the beach or sightseeing during the day.

What l learned on my tour is that the hotel management understands that an increasing number of a key target market — well-to-do parents aged 30-50 — are choosing to bring kids with them on all kinds of holidays, not just named family vacations.

As a consequence, the hotel has worked hard to welcome children and extend the same degree of intimacy and personalization to them as all the other categories of travelers who stay here.

The escape-themed spaces in the hotel are decadent and imaginative

70% of the Five Hotel’s 45 rooms are connecting. Kids are given age-appropriate welcome gifts at check-in. Stuffed animals for tots, beach-ready lunch coolers for school-age kids, and they’ve even thought about teens with a handbag for girls and a mobile phone holder for boys.

I gave the in-house restaurant, The Sea Sens, a test drive for lunch. Fresh local products are paired with exotic spices and creative ingredients with an Asian flair. An example: Duck Foie Gras served with cardamom roasted rice, cucumber, dates, and chicken jus spiced with green curry. Need I say more?

At first I was disappointed that they didn’t offer a kids’ menu, but approach with children in the restaurant is that the chef will make dishes for them on demand (a sure way to please).

Nonetheless, kids will be thrilled by the creations of their in-house world-class pastry chef, Jérôme de Oliveira, who keeps a steady supply of his creations including flavored marshmallows and chocolate lollipops, around the hotel.

Rooftop swimming pool

The infinity swimming pool is stunning, however, it’s too confined of a space for young children and their parents to be comfortable. Fortunately, the hotel has a partnership with La Plage du Festival, one of the famous beach clubs with lounge chairs and a restaurant nearby.

Warning, delightful treats by Five Hotel’s famed pastry chef are in great supply

Our policy is to stay in the places with kids before adding them to our CB Approved hotel portfolio. Since I only did a walk through at Five Hotel, I’m not going to add an official review to our best France family hotel guide at this time. That said, I love the look and feel of Five Hotel. If you’re looking for a luxury, boutique stay on the French Riviera, this hotel fits the bill.

Editorial Note: Five Hotel hosted me for lunch. They didn’t ask me to express a particular point of view. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos courtesy of Five Hotel, Marcel Jolibois.

Want More Information and Help Booking a Holiday at Côte d’Azur?

We can help! Our kid-friendly hotel review of Côte d’Azur has more information about why this property works so well for families. If you’d like comprehensive help planning a full beach vacation anywhere in the world, request assistance on our Connect with a Family Travel Advisor page.

Relevant Links:

Ciao Bambino recommended kid-friendly hotels in France

Things to do in the Côte d’Azur with kids

Kid-friendly holidays in Saint-Tropez

72 hours in Paris with kids

Tips for finding family-friendly boutique hotels

Tips for booking luxury family hotels