The Intercontinental Porto is a very smart new hotel (I stayed there with a staff member when they were opening the hotel). Porto is an amazingly interesting city and new to the BA network (summer only to October)

The Intercontinental Carlton Cannes is the most fabulous hotel I have every stayed in. It is the hotel out of the Elton John "I'm Still Standing" video from the 80's if you remember that. The breakfast was the finest I have ever had and Cannes is beautiful (but small). You will need to avoid conventions, festivals and exhibitions to get availability.

The Intercontinental Marseille is just new and is next on my list. It looks like a converted palace. Marseille has changed a lot. It is no longer a grimy med port. It was the 2013 European City of Culture (I think) and the port has been revitalised with new museums and looks amazing. I am going there in March 2014 and am VERY excited...

If you fancy a bit of extra glamour and enjoy travelling and would like a 2 site break then go to both Marseille and Cannes and get the TGV double-decker first class upstairs from Marseille to Cannes - the route skirts along the Mediterranean coast and is breathtaking

Both Marseille and Nice (for Cannes) are only 4500 Euros