Cannes hotels, while busiest during the famed film festival, welcome guests all through the year. This once-insignificant fishing village along the Mediterranean Sea has grown into a world-class vacation spot in the heart of the French Rivera. The options for lodging in Cannes are world-class as well, but that doesn't necessarily mean expensive.

Many hotels in Cannes are found around the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, where the September film festival is held. For more than 50 years, elite directors and movie stars have gathered in the city to celebrate the best of cinema; movie buffs are welcome as well.

Four generations of the same family have been watching over the Hôtel Belle Plage, one of the Cannes hotels a short walk about from the action. The décor in the rooms and the lobby beyond is based around a cinema theme. Guests can enjoy breakfast in their room or head to the lobby for a buffet meal. The solarium and the pool on the roof offer an excellent vantage point for soaking in the sun and the views.

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The top hotels in Cannes can equal the elegance of Paris luxury hotels. Hôtel Gray d'Albion (pictured) redefines elegance with renovated spaces, 198 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, an art gallery, bar, private beach, and beachside restaurant. Guest amenities include attentive concierge service, wireless Internet service, aid from a friendly porter, an equipped fitness center, and golf lessons. Like other Cannes hotels, this hotel offers a short walk to the Mediterranean, city center, and the Palais des Festivals.

Hôtel Festival, one of the hotels in Cannes combining historic settings with modern amenities, is close to the beaches, the boutiques along Antibes Street, and the heart of the city. This small hotel, reminiscent of Paris boutique hotels, offers fourteen rooms, a spa and Jacuzzi, wireless connections, and a private beach, set among traditional Provencal architecture. Each soundproof and recently renovated room offers its guests flat-screen TVs, direct-dial phones, Italian marble bathrooms, mini-bars, and an in-suite breakfast served every morning.

If you'd like to stay in the big city while you're exploring Cannes, you'll find many choices with 200 miles. The Roman-influenced community of Nice is fifteen miles to west. A variety of Nice hotels, ranging from deluxe resorts to budget-friendly accommodations, are within a short drive from the beaches and attractions of Cannes. St. Tropez is another nearby city with a variety of places to stay. Marseille hotels are yet another option; the charming and bustling old port city is about 100 miles away. Barcelona, Spain, and Monte Carlo are a few hours away, not bad choices for day trips. Of course there are plenty of options for lodging in Cannes as well.

While it may seem like city is only suited to movie star budgets, it's not difficult to find cheap accommodations in Cannes. If you choose a hotel without the bells and whistles, you'll still find a comfortable place to anchor after a long day. Vacation rentals are another smart choice, especially for longer stays.

No matter where you make reservations for lodging in Cannes, the skies will be just as blue in the morning and the beaches, museums, and boutiques will be just as inviting.