i would recommend hotel martinez in cannes(yes, i read your post). La Palme d'Or is a great restaurant. they had a chef's table in the lower level, in the kitchen. if it is still there, that would be my first choice.

i have never stayed at the Negresco Hotel which is supposed to be the best in town. i stayed at the Hôtel Beau Rivage, which was a most decent place. book early, as most places are booked, for some reason or another.

had one meal in Restaurant Le Chantecler, which is in the negresco. it was most impressive, as was the clientele. the main table for 8 or so was roped off. the diners were a grand dame, and her two toy poodles. we were there for about two weeks, and ate a dozen lunches and dinners. all the food was outstanding, and having just come from paris and florence, seemed very reasonable. the cooking style has a lot of italian mixed in the french.

we were there during carnavale. the weather was plesant, and the festival was wonderful. i greatly prefer it to venice.