Review of Hotel Le Canberra, by Neville Walker

Discreet but stylish and with a wonderful location in the middle of Cannes' swish main street, Hotel Le Canberra makes good sense for publicity-shy shopaholics looking for calm and comfort in the heart of the Riviera's most frenetically glamorous resort. Modest in size and with an intimate feel, the four-star boutique hotel has been thoroughly refurbished and upgraded and the result is crisp and coherent, with soft shades of white, mushroom and taupe given added zing by the occasional dash of pink; staff uniforms complement the overall colour scheme.

Monochrome prints in the public areas lend a note of Grace Kelly-era Riviera nostalgia, but the overall ambiance is up-to-date without being overly trendy; the guests are a mix of couples and business travellers. Pay attention on arrival though - the street entrance is so anonymous you may find, as we did, that you walk right past it.

The benefit of the Canberra's low-key street frontage is immediately apparent inside, with the bar, conservatory-style restaurant and terrace all at the back overlooking the pool and garden. The pool is not large and it is overlooked by surrounding buildings, but it's screened from the street and set in a very pleasant, sunny garden fringed by palms. The pool is heated from April to October, and has showers. The generous breakfast buffet can be eaten al fresco or in the restaurant, which offers good value prix-fixe meals at other times; the bar was never particularly animated on our visit. There are sauna and fitness facilities in the basement, with good showers and changing facilities.

Style meets substance in the handsome, air conditioned rooms, with plenty of wardrobe and desk space, robust, good looking furniture and fittings and good sound insulation, aided no doubt by the thick carpeting. Facilities include flat screen TV, minibar and internet access. Bathrooms are well planned, with quality fittings including heated towel rails, excellent shaving mirrors and flattering, soft pink lighting; the complimentary verbena-scented toiletries are excellent and economical. Cheaper 'Tradition' rooms face rue d'Antibes with the more expensive Privilege rooms overlooking the pool at the back; some open onto a balcony. The 54m2 Prestige suite - which boasts a circular bedroom and a very discreet private terrace - would make a fine honeymoon hideaway.