Hotel Simone is situated in a classic five-story stone building with top cornice details and wrought-iron balconies painted a bright blue. The small property is still fresh from its 2016 opening, and despite the chic decor, thoughtful details, and high-end service, there's no getting around the fact that it's compact. Walking past the bright turquoise cafe tables and through the arched doorway, guests will find themselves in a small reception area that does double-duty as a (tiny) breakfast room. The tile floors, white walls, teal booth running along one wall, and the mirrored reception desk all work to make the space look a little larger. The location, decor, and double rooms are a big draw for guests, who tend to be couples eager to walk around Cannes.

Walk out of the Gare de Cannes (the city's main train station), past the adjacent parking garage, and turn right onto a little pedestrian side street, and, in two minutes total, you'll find yourself at Hotel Simone. From here, most of Cannes is achievable on foot. The surrounding streets are chockfull of restaurants and cafes, and there are lots of boutique shops in the neighborhood. The Palais de Festivals, Boulevard de la Croisette, and the beach can all be reached in a six-minute walk or less. Nice Airport is a 25-minute drive or 45 minutes via public transit that leaves from the main train station. Airport transfers and electric bike rentals can be arranged through the hotel. Paid parking is right across the street, but the hotel itself doesn't offer any parking.

Rooms are small but offer bright, modern decor that manages a nice balance between homey and chic. Neutral gray drapes and fresh white walls and bedding give the perfect foil to trendy geometric accents and carpeting in a wood-grain pattern. Details vary, but many rooms add bright pops of color or funky mid-century modern chairs and tables. Wardrobes are open, but they're light colored and blend in nicely with the walls. Like the rooms, bathrooms are small but modern with faux wood floors, white tiled walls, and basin sinks; most have walk-in showers separated with a glass divider.

Rooms are all doubles, and tend to be small, though this is typical of the area. All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs with international channels, safes, and free Wi-Fi, plus Nespresso coffeemakers, and minibars stocked with a few free drinks. Bathrooms come with slippers, hairdryers, and individual L'Occitane toiletries. All rooms have balconettes or balconies, though some face a parking garage. Note that while there's an elevator, reaching the top floor requires some use of stairs.

Hotel Simone's chic style doesn't hide the fact that it's short on extra property features and common spaces in general. Limited places to gather include the reception area that doubles as a breakfast room and a few cafe tables out along the street. Breakfast is a simple but decent affair -- it costs an extra fee, and breakfast room service is available (a nice option, because the breakfast area is a squeeze). There's a living-room like lounge upstairs, plus a nice Mac desktop computer and a printer for guest use.

For guests traveling with children, the hotel offers extras like bottle warmers, changing tables, and other baby gear. Guests can also borrow a Nintendo Wii or DVD player. Pets are allowed for an extra daily fee, and the hotel can provide a bed and bowl.

The hotel offers concierge service, rents out towels and sun loungers for the beach in summer months, and can arrange in-room massages. There's no on-site parking, but airport transfers and electric bike rentals can be arranged through the hotel.