Everyone Looks Richer in Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo has been long known as one of the most iconic and royal-driven destinations in all of Europe with its luxurious hotels, high-end shopping district, decadent dining options, and its infamous casino. With a Mediterranean climate, there is never a bad time to visit this Billionaires Playground and frolic amongst the rich and famous.

A visit to the area wouldn’t be complete with staying in one of the properties owned by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, a company that was founded over 150 years ago. One of the leading players in the gambling and casino business in Europe and the number one player in the Monaco luxury tourism market, the company has exclusive casino rights and owns and runs the Casino de Monte-Carlo, Casino Café de Paris, Sun Casino and Monte-Carlo Bay Casino.

On the hotel side, they own and manage prestigious luxury hotels including the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Beach, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort and the Méridien Beach Plaza along with over 30 restaurants and bars. While you can’t go wrong at any of their properties, Hôtel Hermitage was the property we had our sights set on. This modern and luxurious hotel in the heart of Monaco offers understated refinement with plush amenities and rich accents throughout. With the Michelin-starred restaurant the Vistamar and spa Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo, this is an ideal hotel for experiencing everything the area has to offer.

Hôtel Hermitage is luxury at its finest and this is seen from the moment you pull into the drive. The staff greets you as if you were one of their own and your bags are instantly whisked away. The lobby offers a perfect mixture of opulence and tradition. Located in the Beaumarchais lobby, Limùn Lounge is a lush garden resembling the top deck of a transatlantic cruise liner and is the ideal place to enjoy a quick lunch or afternoon tea.

At this haven for cocooning and wellness, you can experience Monaco at your own rhythm and take away unforgettable memories. The rooms are decorated in Belle Epoque style with classic furnishings and tones of beige and red or beige and blue. Enjoy free access to Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo wellness complex and the Monte-Carlo Beach Club when booking a room at Hôtel Hermitage, and if that wasn’t enough guests also receive preferential rates on the Monte-Carlo Golf Club and the Monte-Carlo Country Club.

After a day of shopping, it is only natural that you will build up quite an appetite and there is no need to leave the property. Stop by for a drink and small bites at the Crystal Bar before dinner. The cozy, elegant atmosphere is perfect for enjoying a glass of champagne or creative cocktail.

With so many dining options in Monaco, it would take a long time to experience all the top restaurants. To save time, look no further than Le Train Bleu restaurant situated right inside the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo. The perfect location for a special evening whether business or pleasure, you can’t go wrong here! Deemed as elegantly chic, Le Train Bleu brings the flavors of Coastal Italy making for a blissful combination of savory meats and seafood served within a stunning backdrop. Back in the early 1900s, the only way to reach the Principality was by rail. Le Train Bleu is a faithful reproduction of a restaurant car, an elegant homage to that golden age. Everything, from the paintwork to the colors and wood finishing, harks back to the magnificence of the Belle Époque passenger trains. Here, only the view remains timeless, the Place du Casino remains a resplendent sight for the passengers.

Once you’ve lost all your money at the casino it may be time to call it a trip and get out of dodge but if by chance you are one of the lucky ones, an extended stay in Monte Carlo can easily be arranged.

Photography Courtesy of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains