IHG Hotels & Resorts at the Cannes Film Festival 2023

May 18, 2023 (Cannes, France): IHG Hotels & Resorts collaborated with the 76^th Cannes Film Festival to celebrate the return of the world-renowned Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel – part of IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio. IHG Hotels & Resorts now has one of the largest luxury and lifestyle collections in the world. Over the last few days, Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel hosted multiple events to celebrate the hotel's return in grand style, after being closed for two years for extensive refurbishment.

Divia Thani, Global Editorial Director, Condé Nast Traveller; Jane Mackie, IHG SVP Global Marketing Luxury Brands; and Tom Rowntree, IHG VP Global Luxury Brands

Dinner took place in the brand-new Ballroom at the Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, hosted in collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts. Guests included Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones, Helen Mirren, Fan BingBing, Uma Thurman, Mads Mikkelsen, Naomi Campbell, Brie Larson, to name a few. The following evening saw The Official Launch Party of Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, which also welcomed notable attendees including John C. Reilly, Twiggy, Maxime Bouttier, Andrew Scott, and Freddy Carter.

The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel has long been the setting for stars of film and screen, making the legendary property a natural choice to host the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Opening Dinner. Following the highly anticipated premiere of Jeanne du Barry, esteemed industry members enjoyed an evening of splendour, celebrating the official kick off to the Cannes Film Festival with a three-course menu designed by Executive Chef Laurent Bunel, from Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel.

Tom Rowntree, Vice President of Global Luxury & Lifestyle Brands for IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “The energy and the passion which filled the new ballroom at the Carlton Cannes on Tuesday night was palpable. As one of the first major events to take place in that space, it was something you would describe - without any risk of hyperbole - as a truly momentous occasion.  The unveiling of this space and the return of Carlton Cannes marks a new era for Regent Hotels & Resorts.   This is the start of the next chapter being penned. Celebrating in collaboration with the 76^th Cannes Film Festival perfectly captured the spirit and legacy of this reopening.”

Continuing the week's festivities, on Wednesday night the exterior of the Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel was flooded with light and music in a show entitled ‘Follow The Sun,’ choreographed by famed artistic director Lionel Hun in partnership with creative teams from Image and Auditoire.  In a spectacle which drew huge attention from the passing crowds on the La Croisette, the six-minute performance illuminated the legendary façade of the Carlton Cannes depicting the evolution of the sun throughout the day, from morning through to dusk.   

The light show coincided with The Official Launch Party of Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, where over 300 guests attended a cocktail party and gala dinner to celebrate the hotel's grand reopening. At the property's iconic Beach Club, VIPs enjoyed an evening of wonder set against the backdrop of the historic property and stunning views of the Cannes Bay as the hotels historic facade came to light with the dazzling display of light and sound.

Since 1913 and into its new era as a Regent property, the Carlton Cannes has popped champagne, forged memories, and pushed boundaries to create unforgettable moments and plans to continue to do so, starting with these inaugural events.

The hotel has a rich history with numerous films set at the property, including Alfred Hitchcock’s classic ‘To Catch a Thief’ featuring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. In addition, the hotel was pivotal in hosting the first Cannes Film Festival in 1946 as it was staged in the old casino at the Carlton. That year, only eight journalists were present at the event, yet it created an unbreakable bond between the Cannes Film Festival and the hotel.

Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel is the first new Regent destination in Europe, offering its visionary experiential and design signatures, and joins the brand’s Asia flagship, Regent Hong Kong. Together, they mark a new era of Regent along with Phu Quoc, Shanghai and Chongqing, as well as three additional destinations to follow in 2023, including Regent Bali Canggu, Regent Shanghai on the Bund and Regent Santa Monica Beach, the first Americas property for the reimagined brand.  

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