These days Monte Carlo, or the name at least, has spread to include most of Monaco. What the name stands for is glamour and wealth, and Monte Carlo got the wealth, and then the glamour, from its casino, which really saved Monaco, the world’s second smallest country, after it lost its olive and citrus groves in the 1850s and was shrunk down to its present size. Nowadays the casino is just one opulent building among many, but the area around it is still definitely one of the best places to stay in Monte Carlo. Here you’ll find numerous gorgeous five-star hotels with Michelin-starred restaurants and incredible Mediterranean views. And if you stray a bit further from the casino you’ll find even more of them. All the way down to the coast, where you’ll find hotels with private beaches or strips of coastline as well as Michelin stars and views.

Monte Carlo is pocket-sized but it isn’t a pocket-friendly destination, however it is very sunny, and a fantastic place to come to give yourself a bit of a treat: rub shoulders with the owners of the elegant super-yachts parked up at Port Hercule, live like the other half for a bit!

Just remember that this is an incredibly busy little place especially during the peak summer months and during the annual Grand Prix. So if you want to guarantee yourself a bed in one of the best places to stay in Monte Carlo, do your homework and plan well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Monte Carlo

For a Grand Dame Hotel

• The Hôtel de Paris is iconic and gorgeous, a five-star beauty with incredible ocean views and indulgent, very Parisian design. The restaurant has three Michelin stars, you’re right next to the Monte Carlo casino and the decor is classic plush.
• The Hotel Metropole offers the kind of decadence Monte Carlo is known for, marble floors, chandeliers, multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, abundant floral displays and a general Belle Époque era opulence. It’s romantic as well as beautiful.

For a room with a view

• The Port Palace is a 50 suite hotel overlooking Port Hercule. All the rooms are individually styled, but they’re similarly airy and full of light. They’re also not fussy: elegant more than luxurious. You’re steps away from the yacht club and the Grand Prix circuit and there’s an excellent spa and wellness centre.

The Most Romantic Hotels in Monte Carlo

• The Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel is a stunning hotel in a listed 1930s building complete with murals, romantic arches and a terracotta facade. The 40 rooms have their own private beach, as well as a large pool and lush gardens. The decor has been inspired by Matisse and Cocteau and the restaurant has a Michelin star.

For a Beach Break

• The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel is a much larger affair, with 334 rooms and around ten acres of exclusive land in this tiny, exclusive country. The views from the Lego pink towers are incredible, the chic interiors are done in warm, Mediterranean pastels and there’s a really super pool as well as direct access to the bay. This is another hotel with a Michelin star.
• Le Meridien Beach Plaza is another luxurious Monte Carlo hotel on a private beach. There are almost 400 rooms, all of them beautiful in the contemporary style, but some have private balconies with unbeatable sea views.

For good value

• Monte Carlo isn’t known for being affordable, but the Columbus Hotel is well priced and offers a great seafront location with bags of style and excellent views of the Mediterranean. The contemporary, Riviera-style rooms are bright and airy, but if you want even more space, and a private balcony, you can upgrade to a suite.

Prefer an Apartment or Private Villa?

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Monte Carlo?

• Ideally you’ll be arriving in Monte Carlo on your yacht. But if your yacht is having her keel hauled or suchlike you can also fly. Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport is closest, and it’s a large airport with good links to the UK and other European destinations. From there it’s about 15miles along the coast, and you can easily hire a helicopter to take you. Or a taxi. Or for approximately €4 you can take the train.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
• Monte Carlo’s Mediterranean weather is one of its crowning glories, as well as being beautiful and wealthy it gets about 300 sunny days a year. In winter it’s mild and still sunny, and in summer it’s not even too hot, with maximum daily highs in the mid 20s between June and August. Basically there’s no bad time for it.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search a tiny bit and consider all the best places to stay in Monaco?
• or expand further to include the best places to stay on the Cote d’Azur?
• or head the other way along the coast into Italy and consider some of the best places to stay in Liguria?
• or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Monte Carlo