Welcome to Monaco
Principality of Monaco is situated on the French Riviera, between France and Italy. The State has enjoyed a strong heritage ever since it became an international attraction, following the rule of Prince Charles III in 1860.
The privately owned Hotel Metropole first welcomed guests in 1886 and quickly became the most glamorous and renowned property in Monte-Carlo. Located in the ‘Golden Square’ of the Principality of Monaco, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is steps from Monaco’s most luxurious destinations including the Casino, designer boutiques and the city’s beautiful gardens.
Guests can also conveniently access both the Mediterranean Sea and snowy mountains. Spring and summer are the busiest seasons in Monaco, with visitors gathered from around the globe for events such as galas, concerts, performances of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, international festivals, art exhibitions and so on. Monaco’s high season starts in May with the annual and highly attended Formula 1 Grand Prix, which attracts thousands of visitors and is a major event throughout the city. Ideally located on the F1 race track, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo offers a clear view on the slowest and most dangerous pin of the circuit.
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo
Ideally located in the Carré d’Or, a few steps from the Casino, the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. This luxurious Belle Époque style property was built in 1886. It was entirely renovated by acclaimed French architect Jacques Garcia, who created a palace of 125 rooms and suites combining glamour, sophistication and sensorially with Mediterranean charm, in tune with the times.
In 2017, this expert in design and luxury revamped the main public areas to further enchant them. Executive Chef Christophe Cussac invites guests to live a unique and convivial culinary experience within the footsteps of his ‘spiritual father’, the late Joël Robuchon. The Lobby Bar, with its glamorous, elegant and warm ambiance, for all sweet and savory tastebuds, is the unmissable meeting place for fine diners to taste modern, innovative and refined cuisine using Mediterranean flavors.
Yoshi, the only Japanese restaurant on the Côte d’Azur to be awarded a Michelin star since 2010, showcases typical Japanese cuisine in a contemporary and daring décor by Didier Gomez. Odyssey is a charming poolside restaurant within a ‘haute couture’ setting designed by Karl Lagerfeld.
The House of Givenchy opened its third Spa in the world, the Spa Metropole by Givenchy in April 2017 at the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo. Also designed by architect Didier Gomez and ideally integrated into the Palace, the Spa Metropole by Givenchy embodies the philosophy of the House’s core values: the choice of an exceptional location, with the luxury of space, sophistication of treatments, and a haven for absolute pleasure and well-being.
Historical Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo
Since its original opening in 1889, Metropole has offered guests memorable stays and experiences. Standing upon land once owned by Pope XIII, the property was acquired by the Monte-Carlo Hotel Company Ltd. in 1886.
Hotel Metropole came into being in the euphoria and prosperity of the ‘Belle Époque’ period towards the end of the 19th century. The era dedicated itself to the pleasures of refined vacationing, for which the Metropole became one of the most highly-prized addresses on the Côte d’Azur.
Since its opening, Hotel Metropole has attracted an international and elite clientele, ranging from celebrities and aristocrats to businessmen. It is believed that American novelist Edith Warton was inspired by Hotel Metropole when she wrote ‘The House of Mirth.’ Published in 1905 and partially set in Monte-Carlo, Edith describes the Garden of Eden, in the same likeness as the patrician palace-style landscaped gardens still found today at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo.
Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco
Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco, which began in 1929, is one of the oldest and most prestigious automobile races in the Principality of Monaco.
Today, the Grand Prix is one of the major events in the Principality and a key race in the Formula 1 World Championship. The circuit of Monaco is a race that every driver longs to win one day – it is also the slowest and most technique-focused race of the championship.
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo offers the chance for visitors to be in the heart of Grand Prix action with stunning views of the circuit and the race’s most dangerous bend from the property’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Suite Azur and Salon Méditerranée.
Famous Names
Jacques GARCIA, Interior Architect
Internationally renowned architectural and interior designer, Jacques Garcia, was selected to recreate the interiors and the exterior landscape of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo as part of the property’s multimillion-dollar renovation plan. With experience redesigning hotels in New York, Paris, Geneva, Beirut and Marrakech, Garcia transformed the 125-room hotel from an old-world luxury property typical of Monte-Carlo into a more contemporary location unlike any other in the Principality.
Jacques Garcia adapted his ‘Signature Designs’ style within the property, evoking warmth and attitude to create a luxurious, Mediterranean interior. In 2019, Jacques Garcia reaffirmed his mark by reviving the hotel’s famous Suite Carré d’Or. ‘We have only updated the premises. The hotel does not need to be changed. It pleases and has always pleased. You don’t change mythical places; you only constantly readapt them.’
Karl LAGERFELD, Fashion designer
The master of reinvention, Karl Lagerfeld has repeatedly transformed himself and his labels. In 2012, Lagerfeld was brought on to design the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo pool area, creating an ‘haute couture’ setting now known as Odyssey.
The pool concept features a unique fresco-styled glass installation around the heated sea-water pool portraying Ulysses’ journey as well as beautifully-curated gardens, private cabanas, a pool house and a restaurant. Lagerfeld was the creative director of Chanel and Fendi and had previously designed for Chloe.
Christophe CUSSAC, Executive Chef
Since 2004, Chef Christophe Cussac has brilliantly supervised the restaurants of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo. After studying at the Paris hotel school and a spell at the ‘Royal Monceau’ where he did his training, Christophe Cussac had a determining encounter in his career: Joël Robuchon, then Chef of the ‘Concorde Lafayette’. He followed him to the Hotel Nikko, the ‘Les célébrités’ restaurant, and then to the ‘Jamin’. After an experience at the ‘Troisgros’ restaurant, he was called back by his roots to take charge of the kitchen at the Abbaye Saint- Michel, in Tonnerre, where he obtained 2 stars in the Michelin Guide.
The chef’s culinary DNA was shaped by his experiences at the head of different establishments: while at Tonnerre, Christophe Cussac developed a cuisine based on the Burgundy region, Mediterranean influences were to take precedence when he arrived at La Réserve de Beaulieu in 1997. Joël Robuchon then called him back to him in 2004 for the opening of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo as Chef des Cuisines. His high standards, his rigor and his love for refined and gourmet cuisine enabled him to win 2 macaroons once again. An adventure that he continues today by supervising the hotel’s four restaurants, Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, gastronomic restaurant of Mediterranean inspiration, Yoshi, the only starred Japanese restaurant on the Côte d’Azur, the Lobby Bar and Odyssey, where he offers southern cuisine.
Didier GOMEZ, Interior Designer
Didier Gomez is the designer of Yoshi, unique Japanese restaurant in the French Riviera with one Michelin star, which opened in 2008. Gomez worked closely with the landscaper, Jacques Messin, to create a transitional space between the interior and exterior of the restaurant. The dining room opens onto a Japanese-inspired garden, creating harmony for the surrounding environment.
Gomez’s previous work includes the décor of Asian-inspired restaurants, ‘The Mood’ in Paris, as well as prestigious collaborations with internationally known brands such as LVMH, Vivendi, Ferragamo, Céline, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent and Armani. In 2017, Gomez designs the new Spa Metropole by Givenchy, the new well-being area at the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo. The design fits perfectly with the hotel’s philosophy while respecting the chic and glamorous vision of the House of Givenchy.
Béatrice ARDISSON, Sound Designer
Béatrice Ardisson serves as the Sound Designer for Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo and Spa Metropole by Givenchy where she curates the music played throughout the restaurant and lounge areas, creating an intimate atmosphere tailored to the hotel’s chic and sensual ambiance of ‘Riviera Glamour.’ Thrilled to work on this project for Hotel Metropole alongside famous artists and designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, inspiration came easily and she immediately composed a sleek and contemporary musical atmosphere.
A mixed composer, Ardisson holds prior experience as sound designer for the 90’s TV show ‘Paris Dernière’ which resulted in the release of several internationally distributed records. She also worked with prestigious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Jules & Jim and more. She has composed original soundtracks on themes chosen by the hotel: quiet by day, rising to crescendo in the evenings.
Rooms @ Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo consists of 125 rooms and suites, all of which demonstrate the art of comfort and refinement. Designer Jacques Garcia, who has decorated some of the world’s most renowned hotels, composed a design that at once blends warmth and luxury with chic and cozy tones.
Decorated in Mediterranean style, each room appears to have stepped out of a scene on nobility. For instance, interior furniture is shaped in scroll formation with refined fabrics and a palette of glowing and shimmering hues, finished with a honey-colored wood varnish.
Suite Carré d’Or
The largest suite in the hotel, Suite Carré d’Or is Hotel Metropole’s sumptuous penthouse, offering the ‘ultimate in luxury and glamour’. Featuring 2,500 square feet (240 m²), the Suite and its terrace demonstrate exemplary balance between exquisite taste and indoor/outdoor refinement, offering 180-degree views of Monte-Carlo, the ‘Golden Square, Casino gardens and the Mediterranean sea.
A spectrum of glowing hues
Just as ravishing on the inside, the spectrum of natural light through the floor-to-ceiling windows complements the ivory patina décor, honey-colored parquet floors, Louis XVI furniture and dotting of majestic artwork.
A bookcase with an enticing collection of original works is also available for those who wish to read within the room or terrace. A prominent master bedroom opens out to a dressing room with a vanity cupboard and bathroom, featuring a tub and massage jet shower. A mix of tradition and modernity, the space is sculpted and adorned as the premier destination for comfort in Monaco.
“This suite is very aptly named, as it is the most beautiful suite in Monaco, offering an unimpeded view of the Mediterranean and the Casino which is, in architectural terms, one of the Principality’s legends that continues to make us dream of a certain exoticism, admittedly outdated, but still valid. Everything here is subservient to luxury. The idea is thus to endow it with more, not ostentatiously, but through elegance, comfort, culture and refinement.” Jacques Garcia
A Unique Gastronomic Destination
Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac
Having had such an instrumental role behind the scenes, he now stands in the spotlight to unveil the launch of his restaurant ‘Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac’, reviving the acclaimed cult venue of the 1920’s.
Christophe Cussac’s menu is simple and authentic: three flavors per dish, to highlight the essential ingredients. His new menu reflects this approach, including one particular dish that took everyone by surprise: his freshly marinated sardine, caviar and Menton lemon. This tasty yet risky dish speaks of the Mediterranean with panache. Another dish which is surprising for its simplicity is the sea bream tartare and caviar cannelloni which will surely become a popular sensation.
The menu is clear and straightforward: Gamberoni Rossi, summer salad, rosemary burrata; lasagne of lobster, tarragon, spinach and spianata; John Dory and artichoke, coriander broth; veal chop, porcini mushroom sauce ‘Arroz de Calasparra’ saffron seafood. And of course, the desserts are fresh and relevant with the seasons: beechwood smoked chocolate with crunchy gavotte or lemon tartlet with basil sorbet.
The kitchen in all transparency
Upon discovering the new restaurant ‘Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac’, the regulars of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo will immediately understand that the restaurant is returning into its century with a desire for openness and transparency. ‘Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac’ will restore a new atmosphere for gastronomes to enjoy, closer to the hard-working team. It will also be possible to get closer, at the chef’s table, or in the kitchen area, to discover the world of patisserie and bakery.
Their creations are highlighted during rituals that punctuate the service with the stunning appearance of the bread and dessert trolleys to the great delight of the hosts. If Les Ambassadeurs is back, it’s not to make a show, but to give regulars and newcomers some good news: simple cuisine at its finest is back!
The new look of Les Ambassadeurs signed by Jacques Garcia
As for the décor, it follows the graphic rhythm of the hotel orchestrated by the famous architect-decorator Jacques Garcia. In the restaurant ‘Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac’, the Garcia style accompanies the spirit of the new menu with luminous tones: bronze, ivory, luminous yellow, gold, for a warm and Mediterranean spirit, creating a fresh and welcoming atmosphere. The ‘Garcia style’ offers a unique design in one of the Principality’s most anticipated gastronomic restaurants. Everything in the design is brought together to create an atmosphere that is both friendly and spectacular, a way of maintaining the prestige and the ‘social dining’ appeal.
Yoshi
Yoshi is the only Japanese restaurant on the Côte d’Azur to have been awarded a Michelin star since 2010. In the kitchen, Chef Takeo Yamazaki and his team give their all to make this star shine. The sober and chic decoration, designed by French interior designer Didier Gomez, combines the preciousness of ebony wood, stone or silk with the light of green, white or ivory. The restaurant opens onto a Japanese-inspired garden designed by landscape architect Jacques Messin. The light and serene atmosphere is in perfect harmony with this sunrise cuisine.
Divine goodness*
With the complicity of Chef Takeo Yamazaki, the challenge was met: to offer Yoshi a healthy and modern cuisine, typically Japanese, adapted to the palates of Westerners. Open kitchen and sushi bar to fully admire the expertise; sushi, maki and sashimi, fish or meat cooked with teppanyaki compete for freshness accompanied by the best Japanese sake, whiskies or green teas. Yoshi? You come here out of curiosity, you are seduced by the quality, you come back for pleasure.
Yoshi means ‘goodness’ in Japanese
Instant Escape
It is in the heart of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo that regulars and newly arrived guests, families; businessmen and businesswomen meet in a harmonious and peaceful way. The poetic nature of the place, reinvented by the architect-decorator Jacques Garcia, allows you to instantly escape, whether alone or in good company. This ‘magician of atmospheres’ knew how to create the right conditions for the awakening of the senses… the elegance of its setting reminds us of the cozy charm of an English club with carpets, woodwork, old books and deep armchairs. Under the central glass roof, the space into the décor of a large Florentine villa lounge. Several times a year, the hotel creates magnificent scenography: the ‘moods’, aesthetic variations of whimsical and poetic moods.
From the lobby to the staff’s ties and scarves, these seem to reinvent the Metropole each time. Colors, fabrics, floral and vegetal decoration echo each other and the moods thus become the material for ‘innovative’ creations according to the seasons. Senses awaken in these ephemeral atmospheres, with seasonal floral artistic touches, as well as in the warm presence of antique and collector’s items. The Lobby Bar of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is a warm setting for delicious moments to share over coffee or tea, lunch or dinner. Here, the service is continuous throughout the day and evening. It is also the ideal place to taste the personalized cocktails of the Chef Barman, Mickaël Bellec, and to discover rare and precious liquors. The musical atmosphere signed by Béatrice Ardisson accompanies each of these delightful moments of life.
Odyssey by Karl Lagerfeld
Happy is he, who like Ulysses, has returned from a long journey… and discovered Odyssey. The stopover is beneficial, the place reenergizing, time stands still. Swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, gardens, pool house: each space and element merges into one around the heated seawater pool, in a burst of light purposely intended by the fashion designer and photographer Karl Lagerfeld. With the fascinating photographic fresco with glass screens dedicated to the adventures of the Greek hero, reality takes over myth in an epic version revisited by the artist.
The restaurant area gives way to comfortable sunbathing around the swimming pool, and the terrace, in the protective shade of large white sails, is cooler and cooler. The characters of the fresco, immutable, initiate the wanderlust. Executive Chef, Christophe Cussac, proposes a tasty Mediterranean cuisine, light and fresh dishes. During summer evenings, dinners under the stars are a must in this exceptional setting.
Spa Metropole by Givenchy
In April 2017, the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo unveiled its brand-new gem: the Spa Metropole by Givenchy. An exceptional world of beauty and well-being re-imagined by designer Didier Gomez. Harmonies in black, white and gold, reflecting the brand’s esthetical codes. One of the spa’s original features: a digitalized wall of natural vegetation, giving it a poetic and futuristic breath of fresh air.
An icon of French fashion and a flagship of excellence in cosmetics, Givenchy has created here a unique address, a real ode to the pleasures of the spa and its beneficial offerings. Givenchy skincare products such as Le Soin Noir, L’Intemporel and Hydra Sparkling rely on the latest scientific discoveries for targeted solutions for all skin types. This is an essential step in your beauty routine that can be prolonged by the Givenchy Le MakeUp range, which offers creative expression, advanced formulas and the brand’s extraordinary color expertise.
All ten treatment rooms are decorated in nuanced shades of white, with embossed walls that evoke the lace of Haute Couture gowns. These include a double suite and a single suite equipped with a bath and private hammam. The spa offers a ‘Heat Experience’ package, which includes the sauna, hammam, caldarium, ice fountain and sensory showers. It also boasts a gym with all the latest equipment as well as a Pedi:Mani:Cure studio by Bastien Gonzalez. Last but not least, a dedicated Givenchy beauty boutique brings together all the brand’s products, from makeup and skincare to fragrances. The exclusive L’Atelier de Givenchy fragrance collection makes its debut here in Monaco.
‘Just for You’
Tasting the Mediterranean art of living on wonderful excursions amidst spellbinding scenery where the heart beats a little faster. Discovering sites which tell tales of men and localities bearing the signs of authenticity. Initiating children in gastronomy while having the greatest fun. Playing the role of James Bond for an entire day and night. Saying “I do” while fully submerged in the Mediterranean Sea off the Principality. Discover the seas of the world and more than 6,000 specimens, armed only with a flashlight, for an unforgettable night at the Museum.
To enjoy personalized leisure activities like precious personal gifts, the Metropole Monte-Carlo has created an exclusive range of things to do, off the beaten track. They comprise a choice of exclusive activities called ‘Just for You’ To set you dreaming, explore these proposals for excursions to the heart of nature, cultural visits and days of strong sensations, giving ‘Just for You’ its most enchanting colors… The program of these activities can be consulted on www.metropole.com, section ‘Just For You’.
Kids Club
During summer holidays, the KClub of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo will be whisking children into a whirl of entertainment. Whether blue-eyed angels or adorable little monsters, the Metropole’s KClub rolls out the red carpet for children aged 4 to 10. Games, entertaining workshops, a festive holiday atmosphere for having fun and experiencing the joys and happiness of childhood to the full… At the KClub, the hotel’s youngest residents can play to their hearts’ content in an environment where everything has been planned for just that purpose. Two fully qualified BAFA monitors orchestrate the activities proposed each day. To make things even more exciting, the KClub goes one further by hoisting the flag of dreams, adventure and the imagination, through a magical formula on a very colourful theme. Children are, in fact, invited to plunge into the world of the Ocean accompanied by figurines of Yoshi, the hotel mascot, and friend Yumi. In addition, a multilingual babysitter service is available through the hotel’s Concierges Clefs d’Or.
Green Attitude
At all of its various operating levels, the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo gives pride of place to a proactive approach to sustainable development. A commitment 100% environmentally friendly… to pursue, each year, an on-going series of concrete actions aimed at preserving the environment. At the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, the strategy has taken the form of ratification of the Eco responsibility Charter of Monaco’s Young Economic Chamber in 2010, and winning the ‘Green Key’ label in 2011. Many other examples testify to the hotel’s environmental friendliness, such as the staff’s working protocols and day-to-day efforts to shrink the hotel’s energy footprint. Observation of an entire array of ecological procedures, increased awareness of the Metropole’s environmental policy… a real ‘Green-Attitude’ has been adopted here, which is constantly implementing new ideas thanks to a Green Committee to whom each member can suggest fresh initiatives in the field.
Monaco Key Figures
- The second smallest country in the world (the country is half the size of New York’s Central Park), Monaco lies within ¾ of a square mile (2.2km²) and features one mile (3km) of coastline
- The distance from sea level to the highest point of the Principality is 102 miles (165m)
- Population of 38,300 and home to 125 nationalities
- Average year-round temperature of 68°F (20°C)
- 16 museums and monuments, including 8 parks
- International sporting and cultural events are held weekly (such as sailing competitions, art shows and trade shows)
- An economic and business destination, more than 40,000 people actively work in the Principality, which also includes 5,000 companies and major international firms
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo Awards
- 2023
Top 500 best hotels in the world – Travel + Leisure
- 2022
Gold Luxury and Food & Drinks for Suite Carré d’Or – Elite Traveler
Gold Food & Drinks for Family Suite – Elite Traveler
Best Hotel Spa on a Global level Haute Grandeur Global Spa Awards
Best Luxury Spa in Monaco – Haute Grandeur Global Spa Awards
Best Signature Spa Treatment in Monaco – Haute Grandeur Global Spa Awards
Monaco’s Best Hotel Spa – World Spa Awards
#7 ‘Top Hotels in France & Monaco’ – Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards
- 2021
Best ecological Hotel of the world– Prix Villégiature
Best hotel in Europe – U.S. News & World Report – Top 10% of all ranked luxury hotels in Europe
Best Luxury Romantic Hotel in Europe – World Luxury Awards
Best Unique Experience Spa in Monaco – World Luxury Awards
Member of the year – Leading Hotels of the World
- 2020
Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards:
Most Unique Guest Experience on a Global level
Best Hotel Service in Monaco
Best Luxury Hotel in Monaco
Best Romantic Hotel in Monaco
Best International SPA – Hemispheres 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards
Hôtel #1 of Monaco – U.S. News & World Report
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo
4 Avenue de la Madone BP 19, 98 007 Monaco Cedex
+377 93 15 15 15
[email protected]
www.metropole.com
