Hôtel de Paris

With its prime location on the Place du Casino, storied past and extravagant interiors, the Hotel de Paris remains the quintessential Monegasque hotel.

• The extravagant suites overlooking the Place du Casino
• The 1.5 kilometer-long wine cellar, carved into the rock beneath the hotel (home to one of the most exclusive wine collections in the world and renowned for the 20,000 bottles the cellar successfully concealed during WWII)
• Alain Ducasse’s three Michelin-starred Le Louis XV Restaurant

The Hôtel de Paris is the most extravagant of the hostelries owned by the Grimaldi-run SBM. The Rococo-style palace dates to 1864 and is quintessentially Monaco—a gilded-stucco confection that was once frequented by grand dukes, royals and heads of state and is still the first choice of visiting VIPs today.

The hotel is located in the heart of Monaco’s iconic Place du Casino. The square is filled with tourists snapping photos of the supercars in front of the casino, so guests may feel a bit on display (for better or for worse) as they enter. Once inside, though, guests are welcomed by the grand salon, which is a breathtaking example of classic Monaco luxury. Ornate and over-the-top is the name of the game here, a theme that continues throughout the entire property.

Hotel de Paris recently embarked on an extensive restructuring project to enhance the rooms and common spaces of the hotel and to bring the iconic property into the 21st century. And, after a $280 million renovation, Hotel de Paris revealed its new look. The rooms are impeccably designed in both classic and contemporary styles and, depending on which wing of the hotel you are in, most rooms have a terrace looking over Monte Carlo, Casino Square or the Mediterannean. The luxurious rooms and suites feature a neutral color palette with pops of gold; they are light, bright and elegant from top to bottom and even have Murano glass chandeliers adorning the ceiling. To further add to the comfort of the rooms, guests can control everything remotely with a smartphone. The grandiosity of the lobby truly carries through the entire hotel.

If money is no object, book either the new and exclusive Prince Rainier or Princess Grace Diamond Suite, which are between 7,900 and 9,795 square feet. Both rooms feature beautiful outdoor space with stunning views of Monte Carlo and the Mediterranean. The Prince Rainier even comes with its own safe to store and charge one’s collection of watches. Luxury here knows no bounds. 

Even if you’re not staying here, come for a cocktail in the old-world bar and soak up the atmosphere, or enjoy lunch on the hotel’s 8th floor at Le Grill, which has one Michelin star. Le Grill offers guests panoramic views of Monte Carlo and the Mediterranean (some of the best views in town) and if you want to lunch in the sun, be sure to request a table on the terrace. For one of the most memorable meals you may ever have, reserve a table for dinner at Alain Ducasse’s Le Louis XV, which has long been considered one of the world’s top restaurants.

Those who want a luxurious experience in the center of the action.