My Grand Dîner & Daydreams in Monte-Carlo

From the moment the valet guided my car beneath the hôtel’s grand archway, I felt a spark of discovery, the soft click of his heels echoing against cream-hued limestone as my host welcomed me with a warm bow and led me through hushed marble corridors toward my Corner Suite.

Warm herringbone oak floors stretched beneath silk-draped windows, framing a burnished writing desk topped with Parisian journals, a plush velvet chaise longue, and a custom Murano glass chandelier that scattered dappled light across buttery leather armchairs.

Crowning the suite, the king-size bed lay dressed in Frette’s Grand Hotel collection: 100 percent Egyptian-cotton, 400-thread-count sateen sheets that felt crisp and cool against the skin, their subtle luster catching the terrace light each morning.

When I step through Hôtel de Paris’ ornately carved doors, hand in hand with my partner, I’m enveloped in Belle Époque romance: honeyed marble floors beneath gilded moldings, towering Murano chandeliers, and the soft trill of a piano drifting from the salon. The heady scent of fresh orange blossoms mingles with sea-sprayed breezes as I exchange delighted glances on my way to the suite.

I adore how the choreography of service feels like a waltz just for us—valet, concierge, butler—each anticipating my partner’s and my every wish. By day, I wander through sunlit corridors to the Saint-Barthélemy-inspired spa, where lavender-scented steam rooms and deep-tissue massages dissolve every trace of tension. My favorite spa treatment is the signature Mediterranean Aromatherapy Ritual: a 90-minute journey beginning with a sea-salt and rosemary body exfoliation, followed by a crystal-infused oil massage that leaves my skin scented with Provençal herbs and my mind as clear as the azure sea.

When evening falls, I dine à deux at Louis XV by Alain Ducasse, where candlelight flickers on plates of herb-buttered lobster and truffle-studded risotto, the air rich with anticipation and the clink of crystal glasses.

Upon arrival in my Corner Suite, rose petals carpet the Frette-dressed king-size bed. The 100 percent Egyptian-cotton, 400-thread-count sateen sheets feel crisp beneath my fingertips, their subtle luster catching the morning light. A bespoke rose-gold gift box awaits on the writing desk, its silk-lined interior cradling:

• Four handcrafted macaroons dusted in edible gold,

• a miniature 1874 rosé from Château de Bellet,

• artisanal sea salt harvested just down the coast,

• and a leather journal embossed with my initials.

Each velvet ribbon I untie reveals fragrances of sugar, salt, and polished wood, weaving through my laughter and setting the tone for every indulgent moment.

My stay includes exclusive access to:

• The private Monte Carlo Beach Club with its Olympic-sized pool and beach facilities (in season).

• The Wellness Sky Club—heated outdoor pool, bar, lounge area, steam room, sauna, fitness room (in season).

• The Thermes Marins Monte Carlo wellness center: indoor pool, solarium, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, fitness room.

I check in at 3 pm and linger until my noon departure, with paid parking available on site. Among my Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer privileges:

• A private shuttle around the resort.

• The freedom to charge all food and drink at resort hotels and restaurants to my room.

• Complimentary access to the Casino de Monte Carlo.

• Monte Carlo Kids Club by Petit VIP at Monte Carlo Beach (in season).

• Preferential rates and private-club access at the Monte Carlo Country Club and Golf Club.

• Enrollment in the My Monte-Carlo loyalty program.

I recommend scheduling sunrise yoga on the Panoramic Suite terrace to watch the harbor stir awake, then savor pressed orange juice, warm croissants, and house-made confiture on Limoges porcelain. Art lovers should request a private viewing of the hotel’s curio cabinet—an eclectic trove of Belle Époque objets d’art—while thrill-seekers can charter the hotel’s yacht for a rugged-coastline afternoon jaunt.

My favorite romantic ritual is sunrise on the wedge-shaped terrace, espresso in hand, as the sky graduates from lavender to tangerine. I share soft kisses with my partner over salt-tinged breezes and jasmine-laced air, while the distant clip-clop of morning valets echoes against marble pillars.

I believe Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo is perfect for romantics seeking timeless elegance—where candlelit dinners, terrace meditations, and the soft turn of a Frette sheet transform into cherished memories.

Micro-tips for deepening your trip:

• Capture a sunrise time-lapse through the suite’s lace-patterned drapes to illustrate how morning light unfolds across the room.

• Note the contrast between the terrace’s sea breeze and the suite’s warm marble accents to heighten sensory immersion.

• Weave in a brief nod to the hôtel’s Belle Époque architecture—perhaps the original mosaic floors beneath your feet—to anchor your personal ritual in its storied past.

• Check-in is at 3 pm and check-out by noon. Paid parking is available on site.

• The official language is French, though English is spoken widely across the resort.

• Dress code ranges from smart casual in public areas to evening chic for Louis XV by Alain Ducasse.

• Monaco uses the euro—most restaurants and shops accept credit cards, but small cafés may prefer cash.

Must-do

• Rise before dawn for a private yoga flow on the Panoramic Suite terrace, watching the harbor blush in watercolor light.

• Book the Mediterranean Aromatherapy Ritual at Thermes Marins—a sea-salt scrub and crystal-oil massage that leaves you luminous inside and out.

• Charter the hotel’s yacht for a half-day cruise along the Corniche, anchoring off secluded coves for a dip in jewel-toned waters.

Must-see

• The Place du Casino, where Belle Époque façades meet modern racing cars and elegant attendees.

• The Exotic Garden of Monaco, clinging to limestone cliffs with panoramic sea vistas and prehistoric cacti.

• The Prince’s Palace balcony at changing of the guard—an emblem of Monaco’s living heritage.

Must-eat

• Louis XV by Alain Ducasse: three-Michelin-starred artistry—try the Mediterranean lobster in verbena-infused butter.

• Le Grill on the rooftop: tender côte de bœuf grilled tableside under starlit skies.

• Café de Paris: classic brasserie fare and people-watching against Casino Square’s bustle.

• Local charcuterie and socca at nearby food stalls on Rue Princess Caroline for an authentic taste of Monégasque street cuisine.

Must-visit

• The Monte Carlo Beach Club (in season) for its Olympic-sized pool and golden-sand beach lounge.

• The Wellness Sky Club atop the Hôtel de Paris: heated pool, sauna, steam room, and skyline views.

• Monte Carlo Country and Golf Clubs, where preferential rates grant access to verdant fairways and shaded terraces.

• The Opera de Monte Carlo, just a short stroll away, for an evening of gilded boxes and soaring arias.

Culture tips

• Greet with a light cheek kiss or a firm handshake—formality and warmth coexist here.

• Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory—5–10 percent in restaurants acknowledges exceptional service.

• Respect Monaco’s quiet hours (after 10 pm) in residential wings and spa areas.

• Embrace the principality’s dedication to craftsmanship: from pastry chefs to perfumers, artisans infuse every detail with pride.

Why I love it here

I’ve returned to Hôtel de Paris Monte Carlo time and again because every visit feels like coming home to a world where elegance is ritual and discovery never ends. From the moment I arrive, I’m enveloped in an atmosphere that balances graceful history with sparkling modernity, inviting me to unwind in sumptuous surroundings while indulging my most exacting desires.

These are a few reasons I love it here:

• Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris: The three-Michelin-starred jewel of the Côte d’Azur, where each course is a symphony of Provençal flavors—think vibrant heirloom tomatoes kissed by olive oil and sea breeze, or slow-poached lobster perfumed with verbena. Candlelight dances on crystal stems, and every bite feels like a celebration.

• Le Grill: Perched on the rooftop with panoramic views of Monaco, its charcoal-kissed côte de bœuf and freshly shucked oysters taste of starlit nights. The crackle of the open flame and the scent of rosemary in the air heighten the sense that you’re both grounded and uplifted.

• Em Sherif Monte Carlo: My favorite summer escape, where Levantine warmth meets Mediterranean freshness. I adore lingering over mezze—silken hummus, sumac-dust tomatoes, and crisp falafel—while jasmine-scented breezes drift across the terrace.

• Cédric Grolet Monte Carlo: A tea room and pâtisserie that feels like stepping into a confectioner’s daydream. Grolet’s signature fruit-shaped pastries are impossibly lifelike, and I can’t resist the pistachio-framed opera cake served alongside a fragrant jasmine tea.

• Le Bar Américain: The classic Art Deco refuge with a leafy terrace. I return for their impeccably balanced cocktails—my favorite is the Monte-Carlo Old Fashioned, stirred tableside and garnished with a twist of local orange peel.

• La Salle Empire: This grand function room, with its soaring gilt ceilings and silk-tapestry walls, transforms every gala or celebration into a chapter of living history. I’ve hosted milestone dinners here and watched my guests marvel at the romantic scale and intimate details.

• Legendary Wine Cellar: Vaulted, cool, and silent except for a single dripping tap, it houses vintages that span centuries. I love slipping away to choose a bottle—sometimes a rare Château d’Yquem, other times a lesser-known Monégasque rosé—to pair with dinner.

• Wellness Sky Club (in season): Reserved exclusively for overnight guests, this rooftop haven’s heated pool and steam rooms offer me a private panorama of terracotta roofs and sapphire sea. I often lose track of time floating beneath the open sky.

• Thermes Marins Monte Carlo: The indoor pool, solarium, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and fitness rooms form the perfect counterpoint to my culinary hedonism. My go-to ritual is alternating icy dips with eucalyptus-scented steam sessions, leaving me revitalized and serene.

• Monte Carlo Beach Club (in season): An Olympic-sized pool and private beach where I sip chilled rosé under striped umbrellas, toes in sand warmed by the sun. The beachside cabanas and attentive service make every afternoon a languid, sunlit reverie.

Each return visit rekindles my love affair with Monte Carlo’s impossible blend of grand tradition and contemporary flair—an elixir I never tire of.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our France page.