SHOW STOPPERS

Terra Firma

With the fall yacht shows on the horizon, Navigator shows you where to go in Cannes, Monaco and Fort Lauderdale

WORDS MIRIAM CAIN

When planning a visit to a yacht show, it’s always good to have more than one purpose for your trip. Consider, therefore, combining a trip to any or all of these shows with a mini-break at a time of year when the weather is usually excellent and the local area less busy than in high season.

Cannes

Every summer, the superyacht season kicks off with the Cannes Film Festival, attracting superyachts that continue to grace the bustling port through the peak season of July and August until early September when the Cannes Yachting Festival takes place. While visiting some of the finest yachts on display in the Old Port (Cannes Vieux Port) and Port Canto, take some time out to discover all that Cannes has to offer.

Sleep@

The talk of the summer season, the historic Carlton Cannes, a Regent hotel, opened its doors after an impressive two-year renovation. Famously the first luxury hotel to open in Cannes, its enviable location on La Croisette occupies an entire block of the coastline’s most prestigious beachfront promenade. Alternatively, for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Cannes but still soak in the Côte d’Azur in all its glory, the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is just 10 minutes away by tender (or 25 minutes by car). Something of a celebrity magnet, its setting on the southern tip of Cap d’Antibes is perfect for those seeking privacy.

Dine@

Restaurants can be found all along the Cannes Croisette and in the cobblestone streets of the old town. For an exceptional lunch spot during the show, head to Mademoiselle Gray at La Plage Barrière. Affiliated with the five-star Hôtel Le Majestic, this scene-stealing location has the largest jetty on La Croisette, thus is easy to access if coming by tender from the show. For mouthwatering Asian dishes with a Mediterranean touch, reserve a spot at La Môme Plage, and if you are looking for a classic Riviera rosé lunch, the Eden-Roc Grill (at the aforementioned Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc) serves light cuisine. The Hôtel Martinez is where you will find the new La Plage du Martinez restaurant and beachclub, while the Carlton Cannes has plenty of choices when it comes to places to dine. (For more information, see Dock & Dine.) For a more low-key vibe, head away from the seafront to the old town of Cannes where you will find a number of family-run favorites, including the local's favorite Da Bouttau Auberge Provençale and Table 22

Drink@

Bâoli is one of the most popular places to see and be seen. Sip a cocktail on the panoramic rooftop terrace Cloud Nine and finish the night at Bâoli’s club, where DJs keep guests on the dancefloor until the early hours. For the waterborne, La Guérite, in the cove of Île Sainte-Marguerite, has its own beach and a bar serving some of the crispest rosé on the coastline.

Shop@

The shopping scene is a strong contributor to Cannes’ reputation for luxury, style and elegance. Arguably the star of the French Riviera, the Cannes Croisette hosts international brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton intermingling with independent boutiques. Parallel to the seafront, the Rue d’Antibes is where you will find the retail outposts from the world’s leading mainstream luxury brands.

Monaco

It might be the second smallest country in the world but there’s more to Monaco than meets the eye. Whether you're flying in to join Northrop & Johnson at the Monaco Yacht Show or planning a long weekend, Monaco has glitz and glamor in spades. Central Monte-Carlo delivers with its rococo façades, designer shops and views down to the superyacht-lined harbor and up toward the Old Town. Venture further to explore art galleries and manicured gardens brimming with rare cultivars. This jam-packed country is so oversubscribed that it's expanding into the sea with a $2.4 billion coastal development, the Mareterra, due for completion in 2025. For now though, the Principality has pretty much everything you could wish for in a weekend break.

Sleep@

Four of the five top hotels are run by the same company: SBM. All have Michelin-starred restaurants. Right beside the Hôtel de Paris lies its discreet neighbor Hôtel Hermitage; both have underground access to Les Thermes Marins spa. The most modern is the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel, which, with its sandybottomed lagoon, is popular with families. For beach access, it’s hard to beat Monte-Carlo Beach with its own stretch of sand and jetty. The outside to this luxury hotel monopoly is Hôtel Métropole. With a Givenchy spa and Lagerfeld-designed pool and gardens, it’s a stunning oasis in central Monte Carlo.

Dine@

Alain Ducasse’s Ômer at Hôtel de Paris offers landscapedgarden views and Mediterranean flavors. At La Note Bleue you can dip your toes in the sand while enjoying a simple salad or fish lunch. Pushing the boundaries of both art and cuisine with a fully immersive sensory experience, La Table d’Antonio Salvatore au Rampoldi is one of the most exclusive dining spaces in the world. With just five tables, this is one for a special occasion.

For Indian cuisine combined with Moorish architecture and a live DJ, try Maya Jah – sister to the Thai MayaBay. Head to the recently opened Les Ambassadeurs by Christope Cussac at Hôtel Métropole for a fusion of contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. For a special occasion, Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris remains Monaco’s most exclusive dining establishment. With three Michelin stars, expect your taste buds to be wowed.

Drink@

Port Hercules, where the Monaco Yacht Show is based, is lined with waterside bars for an informal drink, while the Shisha Lounge at Twiga Monte-Carlo attracts a well-heeled crowd. A more refined place for an evening drink is Hôtel Métropole’s book-lined bar. The classic spot for live jazz remains Hôtel de Paris’ Bar Américain, though locals and regular visitors often frequent the Sass Café

Shop@

Designer labels are spread between Casino Square’s One MonteCarlo mall and neighboring streets including Avenue de MonteCarlo and Avenue des Beaux-Arts. Yachting aficianados love Sabrina Monte-Carlo, whose design pieces are used by founder Sabrina Monteleone on her yacht interior projects.

Chill@

After a day pounding the docks on yacht viewings, rest your feet at one of the two spas that steal the well-being scene. The Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo specializes in thalassotherapy treatments, while the Spa Métropole by Givenchy, which is located in the Hôtel Métropole, is an oasis of calm with treatments to match.

Fort Lauderdale

Spread over seven locations around Fort Lauderdale, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is the biggest onwater boat show in the world. If you can spare some time away, the “Venice of America,” so named for the city’s winding canal system, has a vibrant culinary scene and plenty of beaches –23 miles of sand, in fact.

Sleep@

Staying on the beach in Fort Lauderdale is a must and there are plenty of options. The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, is ideally located for the show, and with its nautical design and ocean-view pool deck, you can watch the sunrise over the ocean and the sunset over the Intracoastal as you pick out the yachts you would like to view the next day. One of the most talked about additions to the hotel scene, the nearby Four Seasons is also a great location for accessing the show. Further afield, the family-run Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club offers 500’ of private beach and six culinary options.

Dine@

The aforementioned Four Seasons Hotel is where you will find the Eastern Mediterranean restaurant Evelyn’s. Alternatively, one of Fort Lauderdale’s oldest establishments, Casa d’Angelo, continues to deliver consistently fine authentic Italian fare, while those looking for the current hot spot should head to Flagler Village and the divine Italian-inspired restaurant, Heritage.

Drink@

The former spring break capital may have grown up, but it still offers plenty of hip rooftop bars and chic cocktail clubs. After a quick peek at the legendary 1938 Elbo Room Beach Bar, head east along Las Olas Boulevard, which is bursting with brand new watering holes ranging from rooftop bars to riverfront patios and intimate hidden gems. Sneak into the speakeasy-style Sidecar or the reservation-only speakeasy Room 901 or take in the view with a craft cocktail at Rooftop @1WLO before a nightcap at the Golden Lyon Vintage Pub, Atlas Cocktail Lounge or the brand new Palm Room

Shop@

Las Olas Boulevard has been revived as the heart and soul of Fort Lauderdale, and is known for its shopping and art galleries. Alternatively, Flagler Village or the renewed Riverwalk offer a collection of independent brands and boutiques.

For further information on tickets for any of the fall boat shows, please contact your Northrop & Johnson expert.