Hotel America

Difficult to be nearer the centre of things than at this bright little mid-range spot. For the money, the hotel, like America itself, packs in quite a bit of contemporary panache.

From the entry – a Palladian mini-echo of the White House – the reception area opens light and airy. The desk is silver grey. Contemporary art punctuates the white walls, and a lounge area looks rather fetching with its black-topped tables and black easy furniture festooned with an orange leaf pattern.

The 28 bedrooms are as big as they need to be, with Bordeaux-and-white striped coverlets and matching curtains offsetting more white walls, more contemporary art and useful furniture. There’s marble in the bathrooms – and a sense of calm withal.

A key element, though, is the friendliness of the young, multi-lingual staff. Cannes can be off-hand (though it shouldn’t be; it needs us far more than we need it) but not here. America the country does service well, generally in expectation of a 20% tip.

America the hotel does service well, full stop. And you're just one block from the beach. God bless America.