Fairmont Monte Carlo

Europe has many magnificent destinations to explore but none can match the lure of the French Riviera and its enclave of Monaco. This tiny principality spans just two square kilometres along the Côte d’Azur, with Menton tucked around the next curve of coastline and Nice to its west. It’s the world’s second-smallest sovereign state (after Vatican City), with Monte-Carlo being one of Monaco’s refined districts which is home to the luxurious Fairmont Monte Carlo. Read our review to discover why this hotel sets the benchmark for contemporary luxury hospitality in Monte Carlo.

Located between the Mediterranean Sea, the Casino of Monte Carlo and the famous hairpin bend offers the Fairmont Monte Carlo one of the most lusted-after locations in the whole of the principality. The building’s architecture is fascinating, with not a bit of Belle Époque in sight but rather an uncompromising 1970s exterior and hexagonal structural design, the seven-floor building was built on the site of Monaco’s first railway station and opened in 1975 by HSH Princess Grace of Monaco before becoming the Fairmont Monte Carlo in 2004. As a city on a hill combined with finite building space the only way is up or out and the property is ingeniously half resting on land and part projecting on pilings into the sea.

A magnet for Grand Prix lovers the hotel’s lobby gazes directly out to the infamous hairpin bend (hairpin bend guestrooms are available to book), but there is so much more to this property than racing. With 598 fully renovated rooms and suites, it holds 35% of all available hotel beds in Monaco and is one of Europe’s largest hotels at 60’000 sqm with a great array of guest amenities to entertain and indulge. A rooftop spa, fitness centre, two year-round heated rooftop pools as well as onsite luxury boutiques. Dining options include the world-renowned Nobu, Nikki Beach, and Amù Monte Carlo; a rooftop brasserie with panoramic sea and city views.

Location

A superb location that is within easy access to the holy trinity of Monégasque activities, gambling, shopping and racing. A five-minute walk brings you to the Place de Casino, home to Monte Carlos’s famous casino, which is well worth a visit, even just to admire its central lobby and around the square there are designer and luxury boutiques galore. It’s around a further 15-minute walk to Monacos’ Hercules Harbour, Nice is a short journey by road and rail, and Menton is easy to get to as is Cap-Ferrat.

If you don’t want to give a moment thought to how you will arrive or leave the hotel let the Fairmont take care of everything with their limousine pick up and drop off where you can be whisked to and from Nice Airport in around 30 minutes. And if 30 minutes sounds too long opt for a private helicopter transfer from Nice to Fontvieille Heliport which takes only seven minutes!

In keeping with the property’s size there is a perennial buzz to its cavernous lobby, the space is finished in sleek dark polished wood, and marble, with Bauhaus Le Corbusier style sofas to take a moment to rest. At the back lies Nobu Monte Carlo and at my time of visiting a remodelling was taking place of the hotel’s signature lobby-level restaurant which is currently closed to the public (but I heard there are some very exciting plans in place for this area), to the right multiple 24 hours check-in desks offer a friendly and efficient service along with a concierge team who can help you with all manner of queries.

Rooms and Suites

Each of the 598 rooms and suites has been very recently renovated and refreshed. Depending on where your room is located within the property can offer a different experience. For Grand Prix lovers the Hairpin Bend rooms cannot fail to impress, while front-facing Sea View Rooms exude calmness as you listen to the waves gently lapping up against the building. You can elevate this experience further by choosing a Signature Premium Room with enhanced panoramic sea views on the upper 4th, 5th and 6th floors. And for minimal noise distraction, the central Garden Rooms offer a zen-like calm making them ideal for young families.

Rooms start at 35 sqm and all have a terrace along with a plethora of carefully chosen premium amenities, including Nespresso coffee machines, hypoallergenic pillows, a well-stocked minibar, Le Labo bathroom amenities and powerful rain showers (with bathtubs in some rooms) along with fast and free wi-fi, safes, robes and slippers.

For more floor space Junior Suites come in at 45 sqm and 65 sqm for Garden Suites, 70 sqm for the Riviera Suites and 85 sqm for their show-stopping Grand Prix Suite which has three private terraces: one looking out to the Grand Prix Hairpin side and the other two, each of them with deck chairs and a breakfast sitting area, are on the seaside offering a marina view. 

My Room During My Stay

During my stay, I was hosted in one of the hotel’s Signature Premium Rooms on the 5th floor. A large floor-to-ceiling sliding window and spacious terrace connect guests with the sea while cream walls and a feature headboard are offset by deep blue carpeted floors, textured soft furnishings and yachting-style furnishings. Tiled effect mirrors on either side of the bed radiate light and a well-proportioned sofa and table provide space to sit, relax or work while yachting photography completes the sea-faring look.

Guests will find a Nespresso coffee machine while other services include daily complimentary bottled water and a well-stocked minibar. I received a colourful welcome fruit platter which was served when I was unpacking – it was so delicate it looked like an edible Jenga that was far too pretty to pull apart.

A well-proportioned terrace offers a table with two chairs and sun lounger.

The sleek top-to-toe white marble finished bathroom oozes style with its floating mirror and backlighting along with a fully enclosed walk-in glass shower area complete with rainshower and paddle shower. Le Labo bath products are the amenities of choice and a small box with a drawer discreetly keeps additional essential amenities to hand and if you forget anything else room service is along in a flash.

Nikki Beach

Nikki Beach on the rooftop brings all the magic of a beach club to Monaco. Open daily during the summer season (April to October), it attracts a jet-setting crowd and you can spend your time relaxing on day beds, listening to house music and sipping champagne.

Feeling peckish? Enjoy food horizontally from your sun lounger or in the restaurant where menu items reflect the countries in which Nikki Beach venues are located. Think fresh salads, innovative sushi rolls, freshly caught seafood and meats along with delightful pasta and pizza dishes. I opted for the Tuna Tartare to start and the Spaghetti al Tartufo which comes dressed with a rich and earthy truffle cream.

Nobu

This year, Nobu marks 30 years of revolutionising the culinary world with its signature fusion of Japanese tradition and Peruvian flavours. Starting with its flagship in Tribeca, New York, in 1994, the Nobu brand has evolved into a global empire, with locations spanning iconic cities such as London, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Malibu, Milan, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Waikiki and Monaco. Nobu Matsuhisa’s innovative approach to Japanese cuisine has made it one of the world’s most coveted dining experiences with the Nobu Monte Carlo being one of their key Europe restaurants.

Start your night with a cocktail in the lounge area, I opted for my goto drink a straight-up margarita which is served in Nobu with a thick dusting of black salt on the rim and a bowl of the most morish edamame beans. Before heading through to the main restaurant where each guest is greeted by the friendly welcome chant “irasshaimase” (いらっしゃいませ) shouted in unison by the chefs which literally means “please come in”.

The restaurant is substantial in size seating 150 diners with a cathedral-height roof, open kitchen and sushi counter which acts like a theatre stage and sets a relaxed tone while tasteful, lo-fi music hums from hidden speakers. Floor-to-ceiling windows run along the entire length of the other side offering an uninterrupted view out to sea while an outdoor terrace licks around the restaurant for summer dining. The inside space is interspaced with bamboo partition walls and curved shutters and tables are laid with chopsticks and rest, napkin, hot cloth and soy sauce which look so meticulously set that you don’t want to disturb anything.

The menu is categorised into hot and cold dishes that are further arranged by type. ‘Classics‘ are signature dishes that have been integral to Nobu from the start and played a significant role in shaping the brand’s identity. Iconic offerings include Miso-Marinated Black Cod which perfectly captures the essence of umami, blending the delicate flavours of black cod with the richness of sweet and savoury miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño which began as a meal improvised from leftovers after a long shift for staff in Hawaii. And ‘Now‘ dishes allow each individual restaurant to experiment and add their own creative flair and take.

Settling into your seat and browsing a menu is a ritual we all love, however sometimes it’s better to be guided, and Nobu’s omakase menu does just that, curated with first-time guests like myself in mind you can try many loved classic dishes which put Nobu on the gastronomy map. I started with the Yellowtail Jalapeno, followed by the Sashimi Salad with Matsushisa Dressing, then a trio of Nigiri with Rice, Salmon Eggs and Miso Soup, then Black Cod Miso, Beef Toban Yaki and to finish a rich Chocolate Cappucino dessert.

The experience is flawless, from the food to the staff, and the ambience, it’s not just a meal it’s an experience. Nobu has taken the best of fine dining and removed the stuffiness making it relaxed, accessible and exciting and nothing feels like a silly question with staff only too eager to help and express their passion for the restaurant. So even if you are not staying in the hotel a visit to Nobu is essential for any trip to Monaco and I can guarantee it will leave you hungry for your next Nobu experience.

Amù Monte Carlo

Amù Monte Carlo is the latest addition to the hotel’s rooftop offering with the name “Amù,” meaning “love” in Monégasque which expresses the very essence of Monaco’s culture. Be welcomed by the panoramic city and sea views along with a menu that celebrates the region’s vibrant flavours and reinterpretation of classic dishes. The space runs in an L shape along the hotel and clever tilting roof technology and slide-back windows mean you can dine alfresco whilst being shaded on the hottest days and sheltered on the odd rainy day too.

Menu highlights include their Niçoise salad and Tuna Tataki (see image) which is a delight to the taste buds, a reimagined Beef Tagliate, and Linguine Alle Vongole are also crowd pleasers. And don’t dare leave without trying the iconic Tart Tropézienne which is reminiscent of a Victoria sponge and definitely order a helping of Tiramisu for good measure too! 

Breakfast is served both in Nobu and Amù, and during my stay, I joined the Amù breakfast serving. The breakfast buffet runs along virtually one full length of the restaurant and there are more options to choose from than you can fit on a plate.

Amù by the Pool

The hotel has two rooftop pools; Nikki Beach is for the young at heart while adjacent to the restaurant, Amù by the Pool provides a tranquil family-friendly area where you can relax poolside, taking in those panoramic views and no one is going to roll their eyes if your child does a running jump into the pool. In addition for families, the hotel also offers a Kids’ Club program filled with educational games and entertainment along with excursions to Monaco’s iconic sites.

Room Service

I don’t often try out room service, but this was a fun experience to see if the in-room dining lived up to the restaurant service. The answer is an instant yes. Order from a condensed menu from both restaurant in the hotel, I decided I had tried Italian, fish, and Japanese so it was time for a steak….

Food is delivered to your room on a tablecloth-lined trolley, with wings that transform it into a generous-sized dining table. Starters and sides are paper-wrapped to preserve the heat and dainty miniature condiments are provided too. Breakfast follows the same pattern which needs to be ordered anytime before 3am for the following morning breakfast service.

Dinner

Breakfast

Wellness

Like most of my hotel stays, my gym shorts are packed, but I never quite reach it… For gym enthusiasts you will be in your element, located on the 7th floor the space features Technogym equipment in a spacious, naturally lit room, offering panoramic views over Monaco to keep you motivated. Post-workout unwind with a swim in the pool and finish off with a sauna and hammam.

I did however make it to the spa and this oasis of calm is bright and relaxing. The men’s changing rooms are light and bright with a large window, a central table and a row of lockers containing robes and spa slippers. Showers have large rain heads there is also a steam room and sauna in the changing area too.

The treatment rooms are also light and bright with windows looking out into the garden, that transform into darkness when the treatment starts. I opted for a 60-minute full-body massage, which was a glorious way to end what had been an incredible few days in the most glamorous destination in the world.

Final Thoughts

Taking Farimont’s exacting brand standards, spectacular amenities, finely tuned service along with two destination restaurants, and a fun youthful attitude to luxury hospitality (without all the palatial pomp!) and you have the ideal hotel in which to base yourself whilst in Monaco. We loved it and we know you will too. The Fairmont Monte Carlo features in our guide to the best luxury hotels in Monaco.