An insider guide to where to stay in Monaco ...
Monaco has become one of my favourite places to return to, and if you have been following for a while, that probably will not surprise you. I love it in the height of the season, when everything feels busy, polished and full of energy, but I also love it slightly out of season, when the pace softens and you can enjoy it all in a calmer, more understated way. The climate is wonderful, I always feel very safe here, and there is something about the overall atmosphere that makes it incredibly easy to settle into.
Over the years, I have stayed in a few beautiful places here, but there are two hotels I always think of first. One is right in the heart of Monaco and feels completely classic and iconic. The other sits just above Monaco, with some of the most spectacular sea views in the area, and offers a very different kind of escape. And while Filippo and I are now in the middle of creating our second home nearby, which means we will probably not be checking into hotels in Monaco in quite the same way going forward, these are still the two properties I have genuinely loved staying at over the years.
1. Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
Address: Place du Casino, central Monaco location
Best for: first-time stays and classic Monaco experience
Vibe: timeless, elegant, slightly dressed up feel
Food: refined dining, Le Grill and Bar Américain
Why I love it: central, effortless stay with iconic atmosphere
Good to know: everything within easy walking distance
If I had to name one hotel that feels the most quintessentially Monaco, it would be Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. It sits directly on Place du Casino, which already tells you everything about its position and presence, and it has that kind of old-world glamour that never feels tired. This is the hotel I would recommend to anyone who wants the full Monaco experience in the most iconic setting possible.
What I love about it is that it feels grand, but never cold. The rooms and suites are elegant and beautifully done, the service is exactly what you want from a hotel of this level, and everything about the property feels polished in a very timeless way. You are right in the centre of everything, with One Monte-Carlo and the main shopping area just moments away, which makes it especially easy if you like being able to step straight into the rhythm of Monaco without needing to think too much.
It also offers so much within the hotel itself. There is the rooftop Wellness Sky Club with its pool, the famous Bar Américain for cocktails and live jazz, and a seriously impressive food offering, including Le Grill and the wider restaurant scene within the property. It is one of those hotels where even if you are only there for a short stay, it still feels like a complete experience.
For me, Hôtel de Paris is for the moments when you want Monaco to feel exactly as you imagined it would: elegant, iconic, central and unmistakably glamorous.
2. The Maybourne Riviera
Address: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, just above Monaco coastline
Best for: privacy, sea views and relaxed stays
Vibe: modern, calm, architectural, understated luxury feel
Food: elevated Riviera dining with panoramic sea views
Why I love it: peaceful setting with incredible, open views
Good to know: quieter than Monaco, but very close by
The Maybourne Riviera gives you a very different feeling, which is exactly why I love it as well. Technically, it sits in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin rather than Monaco itself, but it is perfectly positioned just above the Principality, with incredible panoramic views over the Mediterranean and the coastline. If Hôtel de Paris is about being in the centre of Monaco, The Maybourne Riviera is about stepping back slightly and seeing the whole area from above.
The design here is much more contemporary and architectural. The building emerges dramatically from the rocky peninsula, and the rooms and suites are all about light, sea views, floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces that make the most of the setting. It feels sleek and calm, with a kind of modern Riviera glamour that is very different from the classic palace atmosphere of Hôtel de Paris.
What also makes it special is that it never feels like you are checking into just a hotel room. There is a whole lifestyle element to it, from its restaurants and bars to the wellness offering at Surrenne Riviera, and even the complimentary experiences they now include, from guided hikes and yoga to food- and cocktail-led activities. It is the sort of place that works beautifully if you want your stay to feel a little more private, more design-led and slightly removed from the centre, while still being close enough to Monaco when you want it.
For me, this is the hotel for when I want that Riviera feeling in a more understated, contemporary way. It is peaceful, striking and visually stunning without trying too hard.
image credit: @themaybourneriviera
3. Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo
Address: Carré d’Or, central Monaco near Casino
Best for: central stays with a more intimate feel
Vibe: refined, calm, elegant, slightly understated luxury
Food: elevated dining with both fine and casual options
Why I love it: central, but feels quieter and more private
Good to know: just steps from shopping and Casino
Hôtel Métropole feels slightly more tucked away compared to the larger, more obvious Monaco hotels, which is exactly what I like about it. It’s right by the Casino area, but with a softer, more intimate energy. The interiors are elegant and calm, and everything feels very considered – from the rooms to the overall atmosphere. It’s the kind of place you choose when you want Monaco, but in a slightly quieter, more refined way.
Food is also a big part of the experience here, with a mix of more elevated dining and lighter, more relaxed options depending on the moment.
image credits: @metropolemonaco
4. Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort
Address: 40 Avenue Princesse Grace, seaside Monaco
Best for: resort-style stays, pools and sea views
Vibe: relaxed, open, sunny, very Riviera energy
Food: strong dining scene, including Blue Bay
Why I love it: feels more spacious and less busy
Good to know: slightly outside centre, but very easy access
Monte-Carlo Bay has a completely different feel – much more of a resort. It’s slightly outside the very centre, which actually works in its favour, especially if you want a bit more space and a slower pace. The whole property is built around the sea, with open views, gardens and a more relaxed atmosphere that feels very “Riviera”.
It’s also one of the best options if you’re planning to spend time by the pool or just enjoy the hotel itself, rather than constantly going in and out.
image credits: @montecarlobay
5. Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo
Address:Square Beaumarchais, central Monaco location
Best for:quiet, central stays with classic elegance
Vibe:timeless, soft, elegant, very understated luxury
Food:refined dining, calm atmosphere, beautifully curated
Why I love it:peaceful, central and effortlessly elegant stay
Good to know:ideal if you prefer a quieter Monaco experience
Hôtel Hermitage is probably the one that feels the most timeless to me. It’s right in the centre, but somehow much calmer than the surrounding area, with a softer, more understated kind of luxury. The whole hotel has that classic Monaco elegance – light-filled spaces, beautiful details and a very relaxed atmosphere that never feels overwhelming.
It’s the kind of place I would choose when I want something more low-key, where everything feels easy, quiet and beautifully done, without needing to be in the middle of the scene all the time.
image credits: @hotelhermitagemc
Monaco is one of those places I always come back to – and over time, these are the hotels that have simply made sense for how I like to stay here. Whether you prefer something iconic and central or slightly more private with a view, these are, in my opinion, the best hotels in Monaco to consider.
If you’re planning a trip and wondering where to stay in Monaco, this is a very reliable starting point – places I’ve stayed at, returned to, and would genuinely recommend.
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