Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo Review: A Smart Pick for Year-Round Monaco Travel
Advisors love Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo for its relaxed luxury, standout dining, newly opened Guerlain spa, and ability to showcase Monaco beyond Grand Prix season—here’s how to book it best.
The lobby bar combines Belle Époque grandeur with a relaxed atmosphere, making it one of the hotel’s most inviting gathering spaces. Photo: Studio Phenix
Monaco is often sold through its biggest spectacles: travelers arrive for Formula 1, the Monaco Yacht Show, or a summer week spent hopping between beach clubs and superyachts before continuing along the Riviera. But some of the Principality’s most appealing qualities emerge when the crowds leave—and that’s where Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo shines.
Located in the heart of the Carré d’Or, steps from the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the independently owned property offers a more intimate alternative to some of Monaco’s larger palace hotels. Originally opened in 1889 on land once owned by Pope Leo XIII, the hotel has long been one of the Riviera’s most prestigious addresses. A major redesign by Jacques Garcia in 2004 modernized the hotel while preserving its Belle Époque character, creating interiors that feel warm, residential, and unmistakably Mediterranean rather than overtly flashy.
Metropole’s greatest strength is balance, as it expertly delivers the glamour clients expect from Monaco without feeling performative. The public spaces are elegant but comfortable; the service is polished but never stiff. Even Odyssey, the hotel’s iconic Karl Lagerfeld-designed pool, feels more like a private club than a scene.
During dinner at Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, the atmosphere feels more relaxed than at many two-Michelin-starred restaurants, with warm, conversational service. The food was beautifully presented throughout the evening, and every course reflected extraordinary technique, yet nothing felt overly precious. In a destination that often takes itself too seriously, the restaurant manages to feel both sophisticated and genuinely fun.
A comprehensive renovation of guestrooms and suites was completed in 2025, while the opening of Spa Métropole by Guerlain has added a significant wellness component. Together, those updates make a compelling case for Monaco as a year-round destination, particularly during spring and fall when temperatures remain mild, crowds are thinner, and the city’s restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions are easier to enjoy.
Here’s what luxury travel advisors should know about booking Hotel Metropole:
Why Travel Advisors Book It
- The hotel’s intimate scale creates a more residential experience than many of Monaco’s larger luxury properties.
- Its Carré d’Or location puts guests within walking distance of the casino, luxury boutiques, restaurants, and the waterfront.
- The dining program is among the strongest in the Principality, anchored by two-Michelin-starred Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac and Japanese restaurant Yoshi.
- The addition of Spa Métropole by Guerlain gives advisors a compelling wellness angle for shoulder-season and winter bookings.
- Recent room renovations allow advisors to confidently position the hotel for both first-time Monaco visitors and repeat Riviera travelers.
Rooms & Suites
Many of Hotel Metropole’s 125 rooms and suites were refreshed last year under the direction of Jacques Garcia, bringing a brighter, more contemporary feel to accommodations while preserving the designer’s signature warmth. Throughout the hotel, guests will find rich textiles, custom furnishings, marble bathrooms, and a residential atmosphere that feels more like a private residence than a traditional luxury hotel.
For most clients, Prestige Rooms offer one of the strongest value propositions in the hotel. The added space and improved views justify the upgrade from entry-level categories and create a noticeably more comfortable experience for stays of three nights or longer.
For VIP travelers, the Carré d’Or Suite remains the standout accommodation. Located on the top floor, the suite features a sprawling terrace overlooking Monte-Carlo, the Casino, and the Mediterranean beyond. A separate living room, library, dressing room, and oversized bathroom create a true residential feel. The suite also includes enhanced privileges such as round-trip airport transfers, a dedicated guest relations ambassador, and reserved pool seating.
Families should inquire about connecting accommodations and suite combinations, while groups traveling together can explore options for privatizing portions of the Prestige Floor.
Food & Drink
Food is one of the hotel’s strongest selling points and increasingly a reason to stay here in its own right.
The centerpiece is Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, which earned two Michelin stars less than a year after opening. Cussac’s cooking is rooted in the Mediterranean and its exceptional ingredients, making the end result feel elegant but not overly intellectual. While many Michelin-starred dining rooms can feel formal or ceremonial, Les Ambassadeurs also strikes a refreshing balance between refinement and enjoyment.
Yoshi, an upscale Japanese restaurant, provides a completely different experience. Set beside a tranquil Japanese garden, it remains one of the city’s most popular reservations.
The Lobby Bar serves as the hotel’s social hub throughout the day, while Odyssey offers relaxed Mediterranean dining beside the Karl Lagerfeld-designed pool. Together, the outlets create one of Monaco’s most complete hotel dining programs.
Experiences & Amenities
Odyssey, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, combines a heated seawater pool, private cabanas, gardens, and a restaurant in a setting that feels distinctly Riviera.
Beyond the pool, the concierge team can assist with arranging yacht charters, helicopter transfers, private shopping experiences, and bespoke Riviera excursions. Because Monaco is so compact, guests can easily explore much of the destination on foot before returning to the hotel for spa treatments or dinner.
The property’s manageable size also allows for a level of personalization that can be difficult to achieve at larger resorts.
Wellness & The Spa
The opening of Spa Métropole by Guerlain in 2025 was one of the most significant additions to Monaco’s luxury wellness offerings in recent years. The calm and contemporary spa combines Guerlain’s treatment expertise with highly personalized consultations and customized wellness experiences.
For advisors building wellness-focused itineraries, the spa significantly broadens the hotel’s appeal beyond traditional Riviera leisure travel. Combined with Monaco’s mild climate and walkability, this creates an ideal option for clients seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, and a slower-paced Mediterranean escape.
Family & Multi-Gen Appeal
While the hotel naturally appeals to couples, it is also well equipped for families.
Connecting accommodations, larger suites, and flexible room configurations make it possible for families to stay together without sacrificing privacy, while Monaco itself is safe, walkable, and easy to navigate.
Families with older children may find the destination particularly appealing thanks to its combination of beaches, boating excursions, shopping, museums, and easy access to nearby Riviera towns.
Location & Access
Few luxury hotels enjoy a more convenient location in Monaco.
Situated in the Carré d’Or, Hotel Metropole is steps from the Casino de Monte-Carlo, designer boutiques, restaurants, and many of the Principality’s most visited attractions. Despite its central location, the property maintains a sense of privacy thanks to its gardens and discreet entrance.
Most international travelers arrive via Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, approximately 40 minutes away by car. Helicopter transfers remain a popular VIP arrival option, reducing travel time between Nice and Monaco to just a few minutes.
The location works especially well for clients who want to experience Monaco without relying on constant transportation throughout their stay.
How to Book It
Hotel Metropole is an excellent fit for travelers who want Monaco’s glamour paired with a more intimate, residential atmosphere. While the property is a natural choice during marquee events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix and Monaco Yacht Show, it arguably shines brightest during the shoulder seasons, when guests can enjoy the Principality’s restaurants, shopping, and waterfront at a more relaxed pace.
The hotel is particularly well-suited to couples, food-focused travelers, wellness-minded clients, and repeat Riviera visitors looking for a fresh perspective on Monaco. Advisors should consider upselling to Prestige Rooms for longer stays, while the Carré d’Or Suite remains one of the destination’s most impressive accommodations for VIP travelers, thanks to its expansive terrace overlooking Monte-Carlo, the Casino, and the Mediterranean beyond.
As a member of Leading Hotels of the World, Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo can offer additional value through advisor-preferred booking programs, often including breakfast, hotel credits, upgrade priority, and VIP recognition. Advisors should compare available preferred-partner amenities at the time of booking to maximize value for their clients.
Dining reservations at Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac should be secured well in advance, particularly during peak periods, and clients should be encouraged to build time into their itinerary for both Odyssey and the Spa Métropole by Guerlain, two of the property’s defining experiences.
