The Cannes hotel that is the reel home of White Lotus and real life birthplace of Indian royalty

You’ve seen it at red carpet events. You’ve seen it under flashing lights. You’ve seen it in photos alongside the world’s most notable names. We aren’t referring to legendary hero of the ages or a superstar who always hits and never misses; although it might as well with the reputation it has. We’re talking about a particular French hotel that bustles with activity during the peak of summer for a very good reason.

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Even if you hadn’t heard of the Hôtel Martinez during every other season, in the month of May you’d definitely have seen its facade featured across social media. For two weeks during the hottest month of summer, the Cannes Film Festival becomes the centre of cinematic, sartorial and cultural activity across not just France or Europe, but across the world. From standing ovations given to films that capture the world to celebrity pop culture moments that live on for decades to come, magic across spheres is made at Cannes. Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett, international names like Yasmine Sabri and Payal Kapadia and festival veterans like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Eva Longoria have all graced the event with their presence through its decades-long run since the 1940s. What has held its stately presence throughout that time has been the Hôtel Martinez, which opened its gates in the years before, in 1929.

Founded by Emmanuel Michele Martinez and designed by Architect Charles Palmero, the hotel’s original structure was transformed within 14 months into one of the largest hotels on the French Riviera. Nearly a century later with its pristine white facade and signature blue wrought-iron balconies, the Hôtel Martinez continues to be an Art Deco icon across the world. 

Not many know that the famous hotel also has a special connection with India. Shortly after its first floors had opened, in 1931, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir Sir Hari Singh whisked his pregnant wife, Maharani Tara Devi, to the iconic hotel, where she delivered their only child, Karan Singh that March. The titular maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir went on to become an important politician in India’s history; notably the first Governor of the state and the Indian ambassador to the United States of America. And the hotel went on to become the birthplace of Indian royalty.

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Although gloriously sun-soaked and picturesque through the year, it’s during the Cannes Film Festival that the hotel truly comes to life. The hotel was renovated in the late 2010s but an element of its treasured Art Deco design that was retain has been its original spiral staircase. The winding stairs, layered with a cascading blue carpet, serve as a sophisticated background in nearly every starry shoot. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for the Martinez, which also features a private beach club, an almost-secret botanical garden, massive penthouse apartments that overlook the ocean and another festival-famous element i.e. a wooden deck that dips in the azure hues of the Mediterranean Sea.

While the Hôtel Martinez continues to sparkle under the spotlight with every Cannes edition, this year has been particularly special for the French property. This year, HBO confirmed that the upcoming season 4 of The White Lotus will be located in France; partially divided between the chic streets of Paris and the sunny French Riviera. Past seasons have proved that along with a talented star cast, suitcases full of trouble and a sprinkle of drama, the hotels checked into is practically part of the famous cast. The French season will be filmed at the Saint Tropez’s Airelles Château de la Messardière (which will be renamed as White Lotus du Cap on the show), the Parisian chic Mandarin Oriental and the Hyatt-owned Hôtel Martinez (which renamed the White Lotus Cannes on the show).

The White Lotus has found fame for not only its plot and themes but magnificent venus, which include Thailand, Sicily and Hawaii. The Cannes Film Festival will be a key theme for season 4, which is reported to have begun production this summer, which will continue periodically, keeping in mind tourist-heavy and the peak seasonal crowding. 

The 2026 edition of Cannes may be coming to a close but waiting for the next season of the travel-themed television drama can be your next best shot at reviving your share of the glitzy event once again before next summer comes around.

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