Art Deco design contrasts with wild mediterranean landscape
A flagship hotel of 'la Croisette', the Hotel Martinez is a historic icon of the Cannes seafront. The terrace in front of the hotel was previously dominated by a swimming pool, and this was removed in order to recreate a lively hotel garden, sheltered from traffic but retaining views of the sea.
Two major elements guided the landscape design :
- to respect the original elegant Art Deco style of the hotel and to reflect this in the composition.
- to take inspiration from the surrounding coastal landscape and garrigue (mediterranean scrub).
As a result the central axis and the lanterns of the 1930s have been restored and the floor has been repaved with portugese-style calçada, small black and white stone setts, laid in a wave pattern. A refreshing fountain splashes into a round stone pool at the centre of the garden. Shade is provided by mature cork oak trees, whose rugged trunks are softened with climbing clematis and air plants (tillandsia). Flowerbeds of mediterranean plants combine harmonious grey-blue shades with pastel colours.
Contrasting wild Mediterranean plants and classic art-deco design, the garden of the Hotel Martinez is an oasis away from the bustle of the boulevard.
