Arguably the glamor capital of Europe, Monaco attracts visitors from around the world, eager to experience what makes the city-state famous. If the goal includes a stay at one of the best luxury hotels here, there are a few options.
Monte Carlo, the district with the most prominent Monaco landmarks, has three high-profile 5-star hotels. Two of these are SBM properties: Hotel de Paris and Hotel Hermitage. The third isn't owned by SBM (although you'll be forgiven if you assumed it was), but it's by no means less elegant.
In a place known for spectacle, the 126-bedroom Hotel Métropole Monte Carlo occupies a key position in Carré d’Or along the route of the Monaco Grand Prix. About 2 minutes from Casino de Monte-Carlo, and west of Jardins du Casino, the hotel offers a private and polished take on luxury.
History
The Monte-Carlo Hotel Company built the hotel back in 1886 on land acquired from Pope Leon XIII. From the beginning, it was part of the Belle Époque fabric that helped define Monte-Carlo’s image as a glamorous Riviera enclave. Over the decades, the property developed a reputation for refinement and discretion. These qualities continue to define its identity today.
Lebanese billionaire Nabil Boustany purchased the hotel in the 1980s from the British Grand Metropolitan Group with the intention of restoring some of its lost glory. After a significant renovation, the hotel became known as Metropole Palace. The new moniker aimed at emphasizing the level of luxury offered.
The hotel entered its modern era after a major restoration and reopened in 2004. That change preserved the prestige of the original address while introducing it to a new audience. Like its SBM competition, a few meters from its entrance, it remains a property that embodies historical roots while offering modern comfort and services.
Architecture/Design
The hotel interprets classic luxury in a unique way. The Belle Époque facade fits right into the dominant Monte Carlo theme. Its literature describes its style as “classical and timeless with a touch of modernism.” That is evident in almost every corner. The façade and interiors honor the elegance of old Monte-Carlo, but the mood is softened by intimacy and a residential ease.
The design language is further elevated by Jacques Garcia's influence. Rich textures, layered materials, and carefully controlled light create spaces that feel glamorous without being theatrical. Even the outdoor leisure experience has a strong design identity, with Odyssey conceived by Karl Lagerfeld as a stylish, resort-like retreat.
Amenities
Hotel Métropole presents itself as a full lifestyle destination, and its amenities reflect that. The Spa Métropole by Guerlain is among its most distinctive offerings, combining the prestige of the Guerlain name with exclusive treatments that add another layer of refinement to the stay. It is a core part of the hotel’s appeal.
Odyssey brings a different dimension to the experience. Centered around the pool and terrace, it introduces a relaxed, sunlit atmosphere that feels especially well-suited to Monaco.
The hotel also extends guest privileges through its Metropole Lifestyle Card, which includes benefits for dining, spa access, the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and boutiques at Métropole Shopping Monte-Carlo. Together, these give the hotel a sense of completeness that goes well beyond a place to stay.
Dining
Dining is one of the hotel’s defining pillars. The current lineup includes two Michelin-starred Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, Japanese cuisine in Yoshi (which only recently lost its Michelin star), the poolside Odyssey Restaurant, and Zia at Odyssey.
These give the property a culinary range that feels both varied and coherent. From fine dining to casual meals in elegant dining areas, the hotel's culinary offerings play a big role in the stellar guest experience.
What makes the dining scene especially compelling is the sense of contrast without compromising quality. Mediterranean cuisine at Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac anchors the hotel's gastronomic side, while Yoshi introduces a Japanese expression that adds depth to the culinary offering.
The Bar & Lobby serves as a social center, and Odyssey’s restaurants bring a lighter, more seasonal mood. The result is a dining portfolio that feels masterfully curated.
Suites
The suites at Hotel Métropole Monte-Carlo carry the same spirit that defines the rest of the property: elegant and quietly indulgent. The hotel’s collection includes signature offerings, the Carré d’Or Suite, Azur Suite, and Prestige Suite, alongside deluxe suites, family suites, and junior suites. These spaces emphasize beauty in proportion, finish, and atmosphere.
Their appeal is also tied to what they represent within the wider hotel experience. Select suite categories include lifestyle privileges that extend into the restaurants, spa, casino access, and shopping benefits, making them feel like part of a broader Monte-Carlo experience. For guests seeking privacy and polish in the heart of Monaco, the suites express the hotel at its most complete.
The cream of the crop is the 190 sq m Carré d’Or Suite. Few hotel stays can say 'Monaco' the way this suite does. It occupies the top floor of the hotel and has a terrace with a sublime view of Carré d’Or (hence its name) with Casino de Monte Carlo feeling so close you could almost reach out and touch it. Highlights include textile wall covering by Pierre Frey, oversized windows, a library with more than 100 books, a walk-in closet, and a gorgeous bathroom finished in marble and mahogany.
Shopping
Hotel Métropole can't claim the crown for luxury shopping among the Monte Carlo hotels. That title belongs to Hotel de Paris, which has world-class luxury goods retailers occupying a large part of its first floor. However, Hotel Métropole also has a strong link to luxury retail.
On the same property, Métropole Shopping Monte-Carlo brings together fashion, accessories, jewelry, beauty, home design, and restaurants to the heart of Carré d’Or. Its mix of famous international brands reinforces the hotel’s position at the center of Monaco’s most glamorous district.
For guests, that connection goes beyond geography. The hotel highlights shopping-related privileges for select reservations. It integrates the retail experience into the wider stay, which allows guests to discover the full 'Monaco Appeal'. A lifestyle blending elegance, convenience, and cultivated pleasure.
