You’d probably drive right past the entrance to Hotel Metropole, Monte-Carlo, if not for the nattily dressed valet standing in front of an unassuming gate. But when you ask him for directions to the hotel, he opens the doors and welcomes you in. The long cobblestone driveway lined with towering Italian cypress leading to a Belle Époque mansion appears out of nowhere.
It sums up the hotel as a whole — Hotel Metropole is thoroughly luxurious without being ostentatious. This isn’t a see-and-be-seen type of place because the hotel is exclusive.
Built on land once owned by Pope Leon XIII, the hotel debuted in 1886. Under the glass dome lobby atrium, thick velvets mingle with silky brocades. But touches like a wall of gold silhouettes keep the look fresh and chic.
The Monaco hotel also feels of the moment with a collection of much buzzed-about dining destinations, a pool that looks camera-ready for a photo shoot and a sleek and stylish Guerlain spa.
It sums up the hotel as a whole — Hotel Metropole is thoroughly luxurious without being ostentatious. This isn’t a see-and-be-seen type of place because the hotel is exclusive.
Built on land once owned by Pope Leon XIII, the hotel debuted in 1886. Under the glass dome lobby atrium, thick velvets mingle with silky brocades. But touches like a wall of gold silhouettes keep the look fresh and chic.
The Monaco hotel also feels of the moment with a collection of much buzzed-about dining destinations, a pool that looks camera-ready for a photo shoot and a sleek and stylish Guerlain spa.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld created Odyssey, the stylish outdoor pool-restaurant-bar. Shielded by gardens, the heated seawater pool is backed by oversized glass screens with black-and-white images portraying the Greek myth and a sprinkle of tables.
- The hotel is a gastronomic destination — it offers four unique restaurants. Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, which serves elevated Mediterranean cuisine; Yoshi, offering Japanese fare; the poolside Karl Lagerfeld-designed Odyssey; and the glamorous Lobby Bar.
- Just steps from the famed Casino de Monte-Carlo, the hotel makes for a centrally located base for your trip.
- For an out-of-the-ordinary experience, try the hotel’s Just for You program. It's specially curated outings, including everything from Grand Prix training to flying a helicopter over Mont Blanc.
- The recently opened Spa Metropole by Guerlain offers guests the opportunity to embrace the art of wellness with a facial, the Monaco Glow, inspired by the hotel’s French-Rivieria locale.
Things to Know
- You can gain free admission to the glittering Casino de Monte-Carlo. Look for your complimentary Metropole Lifestyle Card with your check-in materials, or ask the front desk
- Flash the lifestyle card in the adjacent Metropole Shopping Center to enjoy perks with some of the mall’s high-end boutiques.
- Crowds swell in Monte Carlo in the spring and summer, especially for May’s Formula 1 Grand Prix. The race is the year’s hottest event, so if you want to visit during that time, book a room well in advance. Bonus: You can get a view of the track from two of the hotel's restaurant terraces and access to an exclusive lounge.
The Rooms
- The mix of Mediterranean patterns lends the rooms a warmer feel. The sofas and beds are so comfortable that once you sink into them, you’ll have a hard time getting up.
- The bathroom, made from stunning grey marble and ivory stone, boasts a walk-in shower and a free-standing Devon & Devon cast-iron island bath that combines old-world opulence and contemporary comforts.
- The most luxurious room is the Suite Carré d’Or, whose rooftop terrace overlooks the water.
Getting There
