Nestled on the shores of the Riviera, half way-between Nice and the Italian border, Monaco is the world’s second smallest country. It epitomizes opulence, extravagance, and grandeur.
Famed for its world-class casinos, fashionable boutiques, and top-of-the-range dining experience, the principality caters to the elite. It is, however, beyond its glossy exterior, a city rich in cultural heritage with landmark palaces showcasing its regal history.
The palm and bloom-lined streets through Monaco offer a verdant contrast to the surrounding coastal azure and are dotted with luxury and sophisticated hotels. These range from beachfront boutiques to grand casino resorts. Here are my favourite cool and unusual hotels in Monaco (in no particular order) handpicked from over two decades of visiting this trendy destination…
1. Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort – a stunning and ultra-chic resort with the wow-factor which also features a neo-classical seafront
Fitting right into the pantheon of exclusive Monaco hotels, this lavish resort combines he beauty of the French Riviera with the glamour of Vegas, and is nestled at the Monte-Carlo Bay.
Jutting out from Monaco’s Larvotto peninsula into the Mediterranean Sea, this is a place where contemporary luxury is on a grand scale, with five acres of landscaped gardens surrounding the resort.
The triple-height windows and floor-to-ceiling champagne fridges ooze splendour, and the high ceilings in the restaurant pave the way for soaring potted palm trees to exude the essence of nature.
I thought the most impressive feature was the pool complex, whose glass-panelled conservatory extends through a bridge towards a sandy-bottom lagoon.
- To book, check prices or availability for Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort
2. Le Méridien Beach Plaza – a cool, unique and very Instagrammable hotel which is the only hotel in Monaco with a private beach
Fusing a breezy Mediterranean ambiance with bold décor, Le Méridien Beach Plaza is the perfect place to keep your mind culturally occupied while blissfully rejuvenated.
The 397 guestrooms exude a style of luxury that surpasses their 4-star rating, and are energized with an imaginary design that brings the living space to life. Mine came with jaw-dropping views over the Mediterranean, which made for blissful moments of quietude.
The hotel boasts an extensive variety of restaurants infused with personal character, which invite you to indulge in sumptuous lunches and mouth-watering aperitifs. The hotel also plays host to a private beach, as well as two custom-designed pools.
- To book, check prices or availability for Le Méridien Beach Plaza
3. Boutique Hotel Miramar – a modern and sleek beachfront boutique hotel set on Port Hercule close to the notable Monte-Carlo Casino
Enjoying stunning views of the magnificent Port Hercule, Boutique Hotel Miramar invites guests to a unique experience in the heart of Monaco.
My custom-designed room, carefully decorated, evoked a true sense of urban sophistication, and the graceful décor exuded intimacy and warmth. It also came with a charming terrace area, where peaceful afternoons were accompanied by the most dramatic port views.
There is a communal rooftop terrace, where business visionaries, holidaymakers, and cultural enthusiasts gather under the shade of towering parasols. Soft wooden hues, lavish lighting, and exotic plant-inspired wallpaper combine to bring an air of positivity to the interiors, embodying the eclectic panache for which Monaco is famed.
- To book, check prices or availability for Boutique Hotel Miramar
4. Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo – The Leading Hotels of the World – one of Monaco’s favourite refined belle epoque-style hotels, located in the heart of the city
The only problem I faced when staying here was that I didn’t want to ever leave. From the minute I entered the herringbone-brick driveway, which was dotted with jasmine and orchid trees, I was met with an exceptional standard of hospitality.
From landscaped gardens to the luxurious lobby to the seasonal flower compositions that felt more like dramatic art installations, this hotel was eloquently designed to soothe the soul.
High-quality fabrics, period-style furniture, and bountiful natural light combined to give the bedrooms a true sense of intimacy and were accompanied by opulent marble-clad bathrooms.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo – The Leading Hotels of the World
5. Hôtel Columbus Monte Carlo – a trendy and charming boutique hotel ideal for those looking for a traditional taste of Monaco lifestyle
Long-standing as a popular haunt for international sportsmen, this stunning hotel lies a two-minute walk from the quayside restaurants and a peaceful stroll from the shopping centre.
The property is draped in tasteful shades of pastel blue and bronze, beautified by pops of design extravagance. To relax you can head to the heated outdoor swimming pool, however I tended to take advantage of the summertime shuttle to a resplendent and secluded beach.
I would personally recommend booking a Riviera room, which is backdropped by soul-stirring sea views. The pretty terrace is the perfect spot for an outdoor breakfast, and it overlooks the Princesse Grace Rose Garden.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hôtel Columbus Monte Carlo
6. Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo – one of the most Instagrammable hotels in Monaco housed in an exquisite palace that has been listed as a historic monument featuring Belle-Époque décor
As I entered Hôtel Hermitage and was greeted by a Veuve Clicquot pop-up bar and a line of Bentleys and Lamborghinis, I immediately felt a sense of vibrancy that would characterize my entire stay here.
The hotel is peacefully hidden by fig trees on a quaint garden square, and in every corner gleams charming Belle Époque details. From the decorative urns and ornate mantle clocks to the stained-glass rotunda, the opulence of a 19th-century palace is ever present.
A secret underground passage leads to a glass-fronted spa, which offers state-of-the-art facilities and treatments. The hotel’s own vegetable garden is the source of ingredients for the on-site restaurants, which treat guests to one-of-a-kind dining experiences.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo
7. Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo – an elegant, sophisticated and palatial hotel housed in an 1864 belle epoque-era building that offers a 3 Michelin stars restaurant
Decadence is oozed in every corner of this landmark palace, which is a magnet for the silver screen. Two Bond movies have been filmed here, and its fabled Casino Square location offers unrivalled Mediterranean harbour views.
A glass dome in the Belle Époque lobby exposes the hotel’s rich history, while two recently added wings bring luxury and glamour. Palm trees and marbled colonnades embellish the interior garden courtyard, and each room is sumptuously appointed with Art Deco details and TVs that blend into the wall like a mirror.
I thoroughly enjoyed tucking into three-star Michelin cuisine at the in-house restaurants, whilst soaking up the effervescent city views.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
8. Fairmont Monte Carlo – a bright and contemporary resort conveniently located in the heart of Monaco where visitors will have the best Mediterranean experience
Advancing majestically into the sea on pillars, this luxurious resort brings a stunning combination of top-notch restaurants, a blissful spa, and a rooftop panoramic pool to the fun-loving traveller.
Its six-sided, ship-shaped structure houses an interior that’s modern, chic, and cool, while retaining a sense of intimacy. I thought the natural-light spa was a standout facility here, where every detail was meticulously crafted with care.
My room also came with a private terrace with views out over the sea, and featured a whole host of trendsetting amenities. There are 3 restaurants on-site, serving everything from Asian cuisine with a hint of South American, to high-end Mediterranean fare.
- To book, check prices or availability for Fairmont Monte Carlo
9. Port Palace – an intimate boutique waterfront hotel that features picturesque views of the Harbour of Monaco
With views over Monaco’s Port Hercules from every room, this contemporary boutique hotel is a relaxed hub, which invites you through an entrance embellished with Formula One glamour.
You are first greeted by a vintage sports car that was used in one of Monaco’s original Grand Prix. Beyond this you will find a seating area where art exhibitions adorn the walls.
A separate colour scheme dresses the five floors, whose corridors are enlivened by Bali-imported tree roots. In the basement, which was one of my favourite areas, you will find a fitness room, an independently run spa, a sauna, and a Hammam.
- To book, check prices or availability for Port Palace
10. Red Sail – an upscale and polished yacht where visitors can explore majestic sea views, ideal for a family or large groups
This luxury yacht, coloured in white and sprinkled with quirky pops of red, radiates an atmosphere of splendour and sophistication.
There are two floor-level hammocks where you can recline and sunbathe, and cosy cushions offering further space to hang out. There is also a handful of shaded spaces, and the interiors are clad in refined opulence.
I visited this property as part of a group, and the exquisitely prepared meals spread around the lavish dining table provided an elegant tone for our memorable evenings. There are 4 bedrooms, a living room, and 4 bathrooms, and a continental breakfast buffet is served daily.
- To book, check prices or availability for Red Sail
11. Monte-Carlo for boat lovers – a cool, authentic and unique accommodation to stay in Monaco where your hotel is simply a laid-back boat
This graceful boat beckons guests to soak up the harbourfront charm in full swing. It consists of 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, each fitted with luxury touches and a bespoke modern elegance.
The cosy nooks were perfectly positioned to maximize space, and are all padded out with smooth furnishings. The polished wooden interiors exude a traditional charm, which is beautifully contrasted on the open-air deck with modern seating areas and an atmosphere of intimacy.
What I loved most of all here was the boat’s location, less than 1 km from Solarium Beach, and steps from a peaceful harbourfront stroll.
- To book, check prices or availability for Monte-Carlo for boat lovers
12. Chez Chiara – an informal and down-to-earth apartment that is within walking distance from the beautiful Solarium Beach and major attractions
Here we have a polished residential flat located a 700 metre walk from both Fisherman Cove and Solarium Beach. A charming twist on the typical residential abode, Chez Chiara certainly made me feel nestled into the heart and soul of the principality.
The interiors blurred the lines between tradition and modernity effortlessly. A beautiful navy blue and white colour scheme brought an air of extravagance to the property, which also featured traditional hues such as exposed beams and vaulted ceilings.
Inside you will find the fully furnished bedrooms which offer superb street views, a flat-screen HDTV, gorgeous modern décor, and a well-equipped kitchen.
- To book, check prices or availability for Chez Chiara
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Ever since he was knee-high to a grasshopper Michael has always been a sucker for an adventure. Growing up he was lucky enough to live in a handful of exotic far flung locations including Hong Kong, Pakistan, Kenya and Tanzania and since then he’s continued his taste for seeking out new cultures. So much in fact he now travels the world as a trading digital nomad, exploring everything from the sizzling street markets in Bangkok to random back alleys in Sri Lanka and everything in between! He also has a special fondness for Cohibas, street food, playing carrom, and fine wine and knows his clarets from his chiantis. He counts Cuba, Amsterdam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Italy as his favourite destinations.