I have been lucky enough to spend a good amount of time in Monaco over the years (though I’m yet to snag a ticket to the boxing) and know the place pretty well.
My life before journalism was spent in the casino industry, so Monte-Carlo has long had a place in my heart; the way the city-state has evolved over the circa 150 years it has been a dedicated luxury getaway both fascinates and inspires me. Such longevity is not easy to achieve – we could all learn a thing or two from it.
The Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo has been greeting guests to Monaco almost as long as the legendary casino has drawn them there. Some parts have changed a lot over the years but the grand courtyard at the entrance remains largely the same.
In late 2025, the first phase of a refresh of the rooms and suites – to follow the splendid redesign of the restaurant, terrace, and bar – was unveiled, with design work undertaken by the celebrated French interior maestro Jacques Garcia.
The result is a refreshing blend of classic and contemporary, and one of the best spa areas I’ve seen for a while.
Why Stay Here?
The location, just across from Casino Square, puts you right at the heart of the Monegasque action. If you’re in Monaco to play then all the best bits are right outside, from bars to clubs to the casino itself, not to mention the shopping.
The Metropole’s own retail gallery has plenty of big names and the rest are just a stroll across the garden. The harbour is an easy walk away, as are the office districts if you’re here on business. But the best reason to stay here is to lounge, taking in the Mediterranean sunshine in utter luxury.
The pool bar area was designed by Karl Lagerfeld and will unsurprisingly not be changing with the rest of the hotel. Sip a cocktail on a lounger in serenity, oblivious to the movements of the city just over the wall.
Below the pool is the new Guerlain spa, and it’s here the relaxation really begins. It’s a gorgeous space, crisp white walls being softened by warm golden woods, and the facial treatment I received was the best I’ve experienced of late. The added bonus of an actual gym, kitted out with a huge range of Technogym equipment and not just a yoga mat next to a treadmill, shows that the wellness focus here is genuine.
How’s the Food?
Christophe Cussac’s signature restaurant Les Ambassadeurs was given two Michelin stars within just a few months of opening, so in a word it’s exceptional. A sublime tasting menu is bookended by two magnificent trollies – home-baked bread at the beginning, impossible choice of desserts at the end – and what arrives in between is a delicate journey of classic Riviera flavours. This is a dining experience well-deserving of its accolades.
Worth noting as well is the sun-soaked terrace breakfast each morning. On Grand Prix weekend this becomes one of the hottest seats in town, perched above the track as the cars scream down the hill towards the famous hairpin, but at all other times it’s a secluded spot with views of the casino garden and little else apart from a gentle Mediterranean breeze. A gorgeous spot to begin the day.
What Are the Rooms Like?
Jacques Garcia has developed a reputation for moody opulence thanks to his work at some leading Parisian palace hotels, but here he has stayed true to the lighter character of the south by refreshing the rooms and suites in bright yellows and pastel blues.
There’s intelligent use of space in the bathrooms, a very nifty TV-hidden-in-the-desk setup in the Junior Suite we stayed in, and gorgeous soft furnishings throughout.
Belle Epoque styling is the classic round here and it shows in these new offerings, but without feeling dated. Above all, they’re comfortable – bath towels like clouds and generous Acqua di Parma toiletries help in this regard – and the option of a bespoke minibar is a nice touch.
Monaco has been working hard over the last few years to draw younger guests and update the relevance of the Principality in the era of Dubai and Miami drawing the party crowd. Hôtel Métropole has grabbed its turn to renovate (local law states that only one five-star hotel can close for works at any one time) with gusto, holding on to its soul but bringing a new youthful lightness to its atmosphere. On this form, it’ll easily last another 100 years and more.
Rooms from €1,250 including breakfast, at metropole.com
