Superbly situated beside Casino Square in the heart of Monte Carlo, is one of the world’s most exceptional hotels. Originally constructed in 1889, the Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo is one of Monaco’s defining Belle Époque masterpieces. The hotel’s architect, Hans-Georg Tersling is well regarded as one of the Cote d’Azur’s most prolific. Tersling defined late 19th century architecture in the South of France with commissions for the Casino de Monte Carlo and Villa Cyrnos for Empress Eugénie of France, the wife of Napoleon III. Today, the 125 room hotel, which boasts over sixty suites, is often characterized by its exceptionally long drive way and 2,500 square foot Carré d’Or Suite, both great rarities in the principality.
In 2004, the Metropole benefited from a major renovation under the guidance of none other than the celebrated design firm of Jacques Garcia, world renowned for his work on the Hotel Costes in Paris and the Palace of Versailles. Dedicated to preserving the Metropole’s prestigious history and charm, Garcia implemented an interior design that is both sophisticated and refined, all while being a perfect example of a modern Belle Époque interior with Mediterranean flair.
Although the Metropole boasts an endless amount of amenities that put even the world’s best hotels to shame, it’s the Metropole’s dining options that are a very special highlight. A collection of four restaurants headed by Joël Robuchon and Christophe Cussac excite the imaginations of the most gastronomically inclined guests. Restaurant Joël Robuchon Monte Carlo with its two Michelin stars, delights the palate with a menu consisting of the most refined of Mediterranean cuisine. Here at Restaurant Joël Robuchon Monte Carlo, a special menu item is the crayfish stuffed with “foie gras,” which is prepared in the restaurant’s open kitchen. The restaurant’s elegant arm chairs and views across the Mediterranean sea make it a must visit restaurant in Monaco, even if you’re not staying at the Metropole.
Restaurant Joël Robuchon Monte Carlo 
Restaurant Joël Robuchon Monte Carlo 
The Lobby
For a casual bite or drink, the Metropole’s lobby bar blends the best of elegance and glamour with its chic decor. Lemon tarts from the pastry cart and background music by the hotel’s sound designer Béatrice Ardisson enhance this very glamorous experience to a higher level.
Yoshi
For those with a passion for the flavors of Japan, there is Yoshi, Joël Robuchon’s only Japanese venue which boasts traditional Japanese cuisine that earned the Didier Gomez designed restaurant a Michelin star. At Yoshi, which is easily defined as Monaco’s best Japanese restaurant, dishes prepared by Robuchon’s collaborator Takeo Yamazaki, such as Miso-Katsu, Ebi Shinjo and Foa Gura To Unagi, can be enjoyed with a view of the restaurant’s Japanese garden designed by Jacques Messin.
Last, but certainly not least, is Joël Robuchon’s pool side Odyssey restaurant, situated around the Metropole’s pool conceived by the late fashion design legend Karl Lagerfeld. Odyssey’s Mediterranean inspired menu is focused on local seasonal produce.
The exemplary wellness amenities at the Hotel Metropole really set this property apart from others in the Principality. Elegantly landscaped gardens have always been a defining characteristic of the Hotel. It’s a commonly told tale that the American Novelist Edith Wharton was inspired by Hotel Metropole’s patrician palace-style landscaped gardens (which still exist today) when she wrote “The House of Mirth” at the turn of the 19th century. In addition to the sublime gardens, the Hotel Metropole developed a spa in collaboration with the House of Givenchy. Designed by Didier Gomez, Spa Metropole by Givenchy offers a place of rest and rejuvenation with a wide range of treatments in the most luxurious of environments.
Guest rooms and suites at the Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo, exemplify interior architect Jacques Garcia’s philosophy of elegance, refinement, and comfort. Although today many 5 star hotels have abandoned elegant and highly adorned interior finishing in favor of sleek modern lines, this is not the case at the Hotel Metropole. Warm tones, grand details and a healthy palette of elegant woods and marbles are fundamental elements of each suite’s unique decor. All 64 suites include a sitting room, marble bathroom with double sinks and bathtubs, as well as a balcony. Jacques Garcia’s design excels where rooms are flooded in natural light and demonstrate a noble poise with expertly finished furniture covered in refined fabrics.
Suite Carré d’Or
The Hotel Metropole’s most impressive room is the Suite Carré d’Or, a 2,500 square foot penthouse boasting 180 degree views across Casino Square to the Mediterranean Sea. With a perfect blend of indoor and outdoor living space, there are few better places to enjoy a special holiday on the Cote D’Azur. The suite’s spacious and elegant sitting room, plush master bedroom, dressing room and extravagant marble bathroom, are complete with Louis XVI furniture and tasteful art work. For those desiring an ample amount of space, the entire seventh floor of the Hotel Metropole can be booked starting from $55,500 per night. The seventh floor includes the Carré d’Or Suite, Three Prestige Suites, Two Prestige Junior Suites, and the De Luxe Suite making for over 4,000 square feet of interior living space.
The Junior Suite
In 2012, the Hotel Metropole tasked design legend Karl Lagerfeld with designing what can only be described as one of the south of France’s most impressive swimming pools. 18 fresco-ed glass wall panels measuring more than sixty feet in length portraying the Greek legend of Ulysses’ journey surround the heated sea-water swimming pool; while a black and white haute couture design theme dominates the lounge areas and private cabanas.
Though, the pool’s most exceptional characteristic is the fact that it is an indoor pool in the winter and an outdoor pool in the summer. How is this possible you may ask? The Hotel Metropole goes to the extraordinary length of deconstructing and reconstructing the pool’s walls and ceiling annually. During the summer there are few better options than dinning at the pool’s lounge, Odyssey. The restaurant by Joël Robuchon provides a special al fresco experience during the summer months, where guests can dine under starlight. Our top pick from the Odyssey menu is the veal carpaccio with lemon.
Another area of the Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo that did not escape the genius of Karl Lagerfeld, are the property’s collection of three conference and seminar spaces, appropriately titled Homere, Ulysse and Penelope. The three rooms are defined by their ample natural light, Lagerfeld selected artwork, and the latest in high-tech functionalities. An additional three conference rooms titled Salon Mediterranée (which features a view of the sea and casino gardens) as well as the Theatre and the Foyer meeting rooms are available for hire.
Although the Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo offers an exceptional amount of amenities, the hotel’s most unique offering are their collection of tailor made experiences. Titled “Just For You”, the experiences range from a private evening at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco to the GoldenEye Experience, where James Bond enthusiasts can enjoy everything from a helicopter ride to a drive across the Riviera in an Aston Martin. Though our personal favorite is the “Will You Marry Me?” experience, where following a private dinner on the terrace of the Suite Carré d’Or, your bride to be will look below the balcony to find “Will You Marry Me” written across the Odyssey Pool.
To book your stay at the Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo call +377 93 15 15 35 or email reservations@metropole.com.
For More Information Visit: Metropole.com
Images Courtesy of The Metropole Hotel
