Having booked a stay here before reading trip advisor I was put off by its low rating. However having now visited (May/June 2005) I can put my view forward.

The hotel is in Cannes La Bocca about 40 minutes walk along the beach from the main Cannes port. The bus to Cannes costs 1 Euro 35c each.
La Bocca I suppose was once a village but is now part of an extended town of Cannes. It has a busy daily marketplace (about 150m from the hotel) and several restaurants and the usual array of shops plus a railway station 5-10 mins walk from the Hotel. The railway is perhaps the cheapest way to view all the interesting towns on the Riviera

The hotel itself has a fantastic pool facility with very nice sunloungers. There was no charge for these contrary to the review that I read. The restaurant and bar were good and actually cheaper than the surrounding restaurants. The room was clean and the kitchen facilities included top brand name dishwasher microwave hob and fridge.

Its location is good for the beach, about 50m away, and, yes there is a rail line in between but we did not hear any noise although our room did face onto the pool and not the beach.

All in all this is an inexpensive hotel that is a good base for exploring the area with a good pool and easy access to an excellent beach.

Liked
1. the position - on the western edge of Cannes, overlooking the beach and the bay
2. parking - underground and secure, lifts directly up to apartments
3. airconditioning in apartment
4. pool areas (but see 1 below)
5. food in restaurant was quite good - but staff surly

Disliked
1. how very crowded the pool area got
2. how they charge for (admittedly very nice) sun loungers
3. the staff - (except pool staff who were excellent) displayed a lack of knowledge, lack of interest, couldnt care a less attitude
4. how very small the apartment was. the second bedroom was minute, and the lounge/diner/kitchen small, though it was quite clean and bright
5. completely dead in the evening - am sure the brochure said there was entertainment
6. passageways are long, drab, dark and tatty
7. the railway which runs between the property and the beachside road

Conclusion
We wouldnt go back. Cannes is a great place for a holiday but the Cannes Beach Residence is not for us. In summary - disappointing - too cramped, too downmarket and too uncared for.

I stayed at Pierre & Vacances Cannes Beach just over a week ago for a week long holiday with my partner.

We were received very courteously, and staff wore badges showing which languages they could speak which was very helpful. The moment I launched in to my schoolgirl French, they took pity on me and spoke to me in English :-) The information provided was very good, and we were asked to provide a credit card deposit of 200 euros - no big deal because it isn't taken from the card at that stage, and was given back with no quibbles at the end of my stay. We were also given a nice little welcome pack with coca cola and information leaflets, which was nice touch.

We accessed our room by walking round the gorgeous pool area and taking the lift. Our apartment was very clean and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. The room was floored with matting and was functional rather than plush, the decor was fresh and clean, we had clean bed linen and plenty of pillows and blankets. The kitchen area had a dishwasher, sink, fridge, hob and microwave and cupboards were well stocked with cutlery and crockery. Our huge balcony overlooked the pool and had patio furniture, plus a rack for drying clothes.

A minutes walk through an underpass and across a pedestrian crossing and you were on a nice sandy beach. The hotel has a well stocked friendly shop on site, and there are a range of shops just around the corner. The La Bocca area itself is fairly low key at night with a few quiet bars and restaurants, but the public bus service is excellent - Bus Azur operate the numbers 2 and 9, both of which take you in to the centre of Cannes for only 1 euro 20, where there is loads of nightlife if that's what you want. These buses run late too and take only about 15 minutes from the market place in La Bocca to La Croisette.

Overall a clean, friendly laid back place, great for families or couples, offering excellent value for money. I'd recommend them and use them again.