With its world-class shopping, legendary casinos, royal palace, gorgeous beaches and the most luxurious hotels in the world, Monte-Carlo/Monaco is the playground of the elite, royalty, and celebrities, who flock to the area each May for the Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival.
A hotel of note is the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, one of the most iconic hotels in Europe, blending rich European tradition with modern design innovation.
Upon approaching the grounds, one is impressed with the grandeur of the hotel, and when inside, with the stunning lobby, at present decorated with thousands of red flowers in honor of the film festival and annual Formula One race. To celebrate the arrival of Spring, pop artist and member of the Turkish royal family Yaz Bukey created a “Garden of Eden” in the hotel lobby, melding dream and reality inside the hotel interior. The Lobby Bar, redesigned by architect and designer Jacques Garcia, provides an elegant and warm setting to enjoy the artistic floral compositions.
Service and attention to detail are a step above, from arrival to departure, with Suite Ambassadors available to organize personalized activities for guests. Guests also receive a special lifestyle card offering discounts at partner boutiques and complimentary entry into the famous casino.
Famed designer Jacques Garcia, who has decorated some of the world’s most renowned hotels, composed a design that blends warmth and luxury. Decorated in a Mediterranean style, each of the 126 spacious rooms, including 64 suites, have a regal feel, with refined fabrics and a palette of glowing and shimmering hues, finished with a honey-colored wood varnish. The bathrooms feature white Carrara marble, massage jet showers, large bathtubs, double-hand basins and luxurious toiletries by Hermes. The “pièce de résistance” is the master penthouse Suite Carré d’Or, located on the hotel’s top floor. New to the hotel is the “Suite Ambassador Experience,” where guests receive an on-call concierge, welcoming them with bespoke amenities and perks and one-of-a-kind experiences.
The exclusive outdoor terrace and restaurant “Odyssey” was designed by fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, and features three cabanas on the sundeck designed by Didier Gomes, with the venue’s original sound design by Philippe Arcostanzo. The serene space that overlooks the pool has a dramatic fresco backdrop with portraits of Greek heroes and boasts impressive views of the sea and the casino gardens.
Not to be missed is the Spa Metropole by Givenchy, an inviting and relaxing indulgent getaway that features the “Club Metropole,” offering signature treatments, skin products and fragrances.
Don’t forget to dine at Yoshi (goodness in Japanese), the creation of world renowned chef Joël Robuchon. Tokyo born chef Takeo Yamazaki was brought in from Chateau Robuchon, and has developed a menu of culinary perfection blending French and Nippon influences, including sushi, sashimi and make and such signature dishes as Ebi Shinho (small shrimp balls in a Kombu consommé), or “Ghindara No Saikyo Yaki,” marinated black cod. In honor of the restaurant’s 10th anniversary in September, the hotel will transform the décor of the lobby to fly the colors of Japan, and will feature 10 weeks of festivities, including workshops demonstrating Japanese culture and master classes in sake, tea and whiskey.
For more information, visit www.metropole.com