Monte Carlo has a well-deserved reputation of glitz and glamour. Only 3 kilometers long, Monte Carlo sits on a large rock named Mont Des Mules overlooking the sea. You travel back and forth into France and you hardly realize you’re moving between two countries. Yet there is a special uniqueness to Monte Carlo. This is a city that just projects “style.” Enjoy this photo-logue of our most recent journey to Monaco.
Climbing through the mountains from Nice to Monaco
Our first stop was lunch on our way to Monaco. Departing in our rental car from the Nice Airport, we stopped at a small cafe in some out-of-the-way village and had a delightful meal. Regional salads spiced with warm goat cheese and French bread. A great way to start our trip! Then… Monaco!
Above our views from our hotel overlooking Monte Carlo. For me, the most incredible views in Monte Carlo were of the many cars. Name a unique car and we saw it – they were everywhere.
Eventually you will work your way down to the harbor and the array of incredible yachts make you forget about the cars you’ve seen!
Hôtel de Paris
As you would expect, Monte Carlo has many impressive hotels. Three Virtuoso® hotels are certainly among the most famous. First the Hôtel de Paris. Built in 1864 with the ambition to offer the best of an era, the Hôtel de Paris continues to symbolize this same excellence in the art of hospitality. Ideally located on the Golden Square of the Place du Casino, with 182 luxurious rooms and suites with stunning views over the Mediterranean sea and of course, the Casino de Monte-Carlo.
It’s no surprise that the Hôtel de Paris has the largest hotel Wine Cellar in the world with 600,000 bottles of exclusive wine. It also is connected to the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo, a 70,000 sq. ft. spa center overlooking the sea. You cannot go to Monte Carlo and NOT walk through the Hôtel de Paris! When we visited this hotel we felt like we stepped into a different era…
Hôtel Hermitage
Another excellent Virtuoso® property is the Hôtel Hermitage. Also a few steps from the famous Casino, the Hôtel Hermitage cultivates elegance at its peak. Opened at the turn of the last century this historic palace has an intimate and congenial atmosphere where serenity is reborn with each days sun rise.
The winter garden of the hotel was designed by Eiffel and a recent refurbishment of the bedrooms make this a refreshed, classical yet contemporary option.
With their cozy charm, state-of-the-art equipment and the quality of services, the level of comfort in the 280 bedrooms at the Hôtel Hermitage is almost unparalleled. The 20 suites, 15 junior suites and 8 highly exclusive Monte-Carlo Diamond Suites are at the very pinnacle of hotel sophistication. Although I was eager to visit the famous Hôtel de Paris… this hotel, the Hôtel Hermitage was my favorite in Monaco.
Hotel Metropole
And finally, the last Virtuoso® hotel in Monte Carlo is the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo. This hotel is a recognized reference point among international luxury hotels, due to its dynamism, its creativity and its innovative character. The Hotel Metropole has received highest the highest recognition and was awarded « Best Hotel in the World 2010 » by the Leading Hotels of the World.
The architecture and the decoration are classical and timeless with a touch of modernism. Its warm Mediterranean spirit makes it different from other hotels – it is nearer to being an independent house. The innovative and personalized services are a source of surprise and they charm its guests.
The Hotel Metropole is a fashionable, elegant hotel. It is a place of sparkling life with a life in synergy with the Principality. It is also a refuge, offering relaxation and intimacy, where every guest has enough time to take pleasure from the hotel.
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