Fancy a frolic in the playground of the rich and famous? Then the glamorous, Belle Époque-era Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is a fabulously fitting base. Built in 1889, and ideally situated next to the world-famous Casino de Monte-Carlo – as well as the twisting streets that become the Circuit de Monaco for Formula One’s infamous Monaco Grand Prix – Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is equally iconic. Boasting the world’s only swimming pool to be designed by Karl Lagerfeld, it’s also home to a two star Michelin restaurant, and a world-class spa.
Why stay at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo?
From the moment we strolled down the glamourous tree lined drive up to the hotel (which is also where we saw some very, very expensive parked cars), I knew we were in for a treat. On a par with the most White Lotus-y hotels in the world, the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is all about Mediterranean glamour and monied excess. There’s usually an extremely extra floral display in the tapestry-draped lobby, and the gentleman’s club style lobby bar (which comes with an adjoining cigar terrace) boasts a signed Picasso lithograph, as well as exclusive Warhol and Francis Bacon prints.
What are the rooms like at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo?
There are 126 guest rooms – 64 of them suites – and the recently refurbished rooms on the second and third floors are where you’ll want to stay. Designed by French hotel interiors king Jacques Garcia (who also spruced up the hotel when it was taken over by its current owners in 2004), they’re light, bright and airy but extremely luxe, with lowkey regal gold detailing, the occasional Greek column, huge comfy beds, marble bathrooms with checkerboard tiled floors and sweet-smelling Acqua di Parma toiletries.
What is the food like at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo?
So good that you won’t need to dine anywhere else in Monaco, quite frankly. The main in-house restaurant bore the name of the world’s most Michelin-starred chef, Joël Robuchon, until recently and standards haven’t slipped. The hotel continues to pride itself on high end gastronomy, with Robuchon’s protegee Christophe Cussac heading up the culinary offering. The restaurant – Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac – has borne his name since 2024, and was given two Michelin stars just nine months after opening. If a Michelin feast seems a little full-on, then try Zia, a breezy Italian spot by the pool that’s open during the summer months (we had the creamy cacio e pepe pizza and had zero regrets). There’s also the ultra refined Japanese restaurant Yoshi, which serves superlative sushi, sashimi, broths and some world-class black cod. Breakfast is served in the lobby restaurant, or you can go full fancy and order a well-stuffed omelettes and pastry basket to your room.
What is the service like at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo?
Staff here will go above and beyond to make sure your stay is memorable. As well as offering all the usual services expected of a luxury hotel, there’s a host of added extras at your disposal. Want a private booking of the nearby Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation or a nighttime tour of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco? The consignee here can sort you out. Local guides are also available to take you on walking tours of Monaco. Make sure you check out the ultra regal uniforms worn by the concierge and check-in staff; they were designed by the former head designer of Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty brand, Adam Selman.
What is the pool and spa like at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo?
Not many hotels can lay claim to a pool designed by one of the world’s most legendary fashion designers. But the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo can, with an outdoor pool area designed by the one and only Karl Lagerfeld. A campy ode to Homer’s Odyssey, complete with giant glass fresco featuring photos of toga-wearing hotties, it launched in 2012. Lagerfeld placed twinkling lights at the bottom of the heated sea water pool, as well as designing the surrounding garden and outdoor dining terrace, which will be home to Italian restaurant Zia until 2027. The pool itself is shielded by greenery and palm trees from the rest of the city and feels private, but not cut off. It’s a proper suntrap too, but there are plenty of umbrellas and shaded areas if you’d rather stay out of the sun. If you’re in the mood to be pampered (and who isn’t?), then you’ll adore The Spa Métropole by Guerlain. Taking over from Givenchy in 2025, the sparkling, newly renovated spa is stocked to the brim with Guerlain scents and potions, with 10 treatment rooms offering facials, massages, manicures and pedicures, as well as a sauna, steam room and ice fountain. There are also three treatments that you won’t find at any other Guerlain spa; the crystal-based ‘golden sand’ massage, a riviera-worthy facial called ‘monaco glow’ and body and face stone sculpting session ‘puissance du rocher’.
What’s the area like around Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo?
You’re right in the middle of the action at this hotel. The world famous Casino de Monte-Carlo is only a couple of minutes away by foot, as is the historic Hôtel de Paris with its legendary Le Bar Américain, a favourite of Frank Sinatra and Josephine Baker. Newer arrivals to the area include a Monaco outlet of the highly-regarded Hauser and Wirth art gallery, which was hosting a photography exhibit by Annie Leibovitz when I stayed, but has also been home to exhibitions from the likes of Louise Bourgeois. A half hour stroll away (warning: and up a bit of a hill) is the old town, where you’ll find the grand cathedral where Princess Grace is buried.
Why should you book a stay at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo?
Because you’re fancy and you like to do fancy things. Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo isn’t cheap, but you’re in a world-renowned tax haven with a regular yacht show, so that should hardly come as a surprise.
DETAILS
Address: 4 Av. de la Madone, 98000 Monaco
Price: Starts at around €700 per night
Transport: Nice airport is a 30 minute drive away