Port Palace

The original boutique hotel of Monaco is conveniently located above the harbor.

• Harborside location
• Discreet, boutique ambiance

Thanks to its harbor-side location, this fifty-room luxury boutique inn boasts a sweeping view of the principality’s moored yachts and is thus especially popular during the see-and-be-seen Grand Prix seasons. In stark contrast to the Belle Époque splendor of the other luxury hostelries, its look is modern minimalism, expressed in pure lines and streamlined Italian design. It combines yellow and wine-red Carrera marble, gleaming chrome and an occasional Art Deco touch of blue and gray sharkskin.

The luminous suites, with bay windows, are not spacious, but they are beautifully designed with silk fabrics and leather wall coverings (designer Leïla Menchari also works for Hermès). Highlights include the mini-spa, which offers a range of services, and the Mandarine restaurant, which serves Mediterranean-fusion dishes on a lovely outdoor terrace.

Those on a budget who enjoy boutique properties.