Cannes Film Festival

Most cinematic hotels around the world

From the white-sand beaches of the Indian Ocean to the panoramic banks of the River Douro, each stay is shaped by a strong sense of place, scale and scenery. Closer to home, the shores of Lake Windermere offer a quieter kind of grandeur, where landscaped gardens fall towards the water and the fells rise in the distance.

Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, Indian Ocean

Occupying an entire remote coral island with uninterrupted Indian Ocean horizons, Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island has the kind of arrival that feels almost cinematic. Defined by privacy, seclusion and understated luxury, the resort sits in one of the Indian Ocean’s most exclusive settings.

Its 50 private-pool villas are inspired by the shapes and textures of hawksbill turtle shells, designed for calm and connection with the natural surroundings. Across the island, guests can move between six restaurants, bars and lounges, including Maison Des Epices, where Latino-Creole cooking and live stations bring a strong sense of theatre to the dining experience.

Beyond the villas, there is an award-winning spa with bespoke three-, five- and seven-day wellness programmes, watersports, cinema under the stars and family activities including pizza-making classes. The resort’s Discovery Centre Tour, guided by the on-site Environmentalist, introduces guests to the island’s conservation work and wildlife, from giant Aldabra tortoises to green turtles, hawksbill turtles and rare birds.

As the first and only property in Seychelles to receive the Forbes Five-Star rating, Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is a one-of-a-kind stay shaped by space, discretion and total immersion in nature.

Mango House Seychelles LXR Hotels and Resorts, Indian Ocean

Unfolding along the sheltered bay of Anse Aux Poules Bleues, Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts brings an intimate, expressive side to the destination. Once the home of celebrated Italian fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri, the resort carries his creative legacy through its design, atmosphere and strong sense of heritage.

Accommodation ranges from intimate rooms to panoramic suites overlooking the bay, with some including private plunge pools. Positioned as a ‘Home of Togetherness’, Mango House is shaped by warm hosting, creativity and a sociable spirit, with a weekly programme spanning culture, food, wellbeing and local craft.

Experiences include a Belliche Organic Scrub Workshop, led by a local natural-cosmetics expert using sustainable ingredients, alongside activities designed for curious travellers looking for connection, adventure and a more personal view of the Seychelles.

 

Canopy by Hilton Seychelles, Indian Ocean

Set between the turquoise curve of Anse La Mouche and the lush Mahé mountains, Canopy by Hilton Seychelles brings a more social, lifestyle-led energy to the Seychelles shoreline. Rooted in Canopy by Hilton’s ‘Positively Local’ ethos, it combines contemporary design with a strong sense of island life.

Rooms, suites and serviced residences sit around three swimming pools, creating an easy flow between privacy and open, sociable spaces. Dining is central to the atmosphere, from French-Creole cooking at Avocet to relaxed poolside lunches, cocktails and street-food-inspired moments designed for lingering.

The wider resort experience includes Afloya spa, tastings, entertainment, watersports and Bounty Seekers kids’ club, making it well suited to families, couples and travellers looking for a more relaxed, neighbourhood-style take on the Seychelles. 

Octant Duoro, Portugal 

Suspended above the river, Octant Douro looks out across the valley and terraced hills of Castelo de Paiva in Portugal. It is a hotel made for slow, cinematic days, whether watching the water wind towards Porto from a private garden, the spa’s indoor pool or the newly refurbished House Collection suites.

The one- and two-bedroom suites each include elegant living areas and private gardens, with selected categories also featuring private pools. The hotel’s Michelin-recognised riverside restaurant, Raiva, has also undergone a full refurbishment, serving local cuisine alongside one of the country’s most comprehensive curated Douro wine lists.

By day, guests can take to the river on the hotel’s traditional Rabelo boat, still owned and sailed by a third-generation local family, or explore the canyons, forests, waterfalls and wildlife of the Douro International Natural Park.

Langdale Chase, Windermere, UK

Set back from the shores of Lake Windermere by beautifully landscaped gardens, Langdale Chase offers a UK escape with the scale and scenery to sit confidently alongside its overseas counterparts. Following a careful restoration of the 30-room Grade II listed property, the hotel has entered a new era of laid-back luxury in one of the country’s most dramatic settings.

Bringing the spirit of Lake Como to the British Lakes, Langdale Chase combines lakeside romance with elegant escapism. At the heart of the experience is Albatros, the hotel’s restored 1920s motor yacht and the only private hotel boat of its kind in the UK. The original 1896 boathouse has also been fully restored, with its own private jetty, outdoor copper hot tub and uninterrupted lake views.

Guests can spend days paddleboarding, hiking, wild swimming or heading to nearby Graythwaite Adventure for 4×4 off-road driving and clay pigeon shooting. Back at the hotel, there is a private cinema room and an AA Rosette restaurant looking out across the water.

Langdale Chase is one of the Lake District’s most compelling lakeside addresses, pairing timeless romance with a proper sense of place.

— V —

---