The Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo is a five-star address in the Monte-Carlo district, the part of Monaco that most visitors come to see: the Casino, the opera house, the designer shopping streets and the hill that the Grand Prix cars climb every spring. It is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and is known for its spa, which carries the Guerlain name, as well as for a calm, private feel that sets it apart from the grander palace hotels clustered around Casino Square. Of the five-star choices in this guide, it is the one to pick if you want to be in the middle of the glamour and still come home to a quieter lobby. Rooms and suites in a hotel of this class are generally large for Monaco, with a good level of comfort and service, and many have terraces or views, so look at the room type when you book.
Location and getting around
The hotel sits in Monte-Carlo, within an easy walk of Casino Square, the Café de Paris, the Grimaldi Forum and the Japanese Garden. The streets here are steep in places, but Monaco has public lifts and escalators that save climbing, and the railway station is a short taxi or bus ride away.
If you are arriving from Nice airport, the usual routes are the express bus, the train or a helicopter transfer for those who want to arrive in style. Taxis wait at the big hotels and short fares are reasonable by European standards, but parking is scarce and costly, so ask the hotel what it offers before you bring a car.
The spa and the facilities
The Spa Guerlain is the main reason many guests choose this hotel, and it is worth booking treatments ahead for weekends, race week and the summer season. A hotel of this level normally has several restaurants and bars, a pool and a fitness room, and the exact details, opening days and any seasonal closures should be checked when you book, since in Monaco many dining rooms and pools open only for part of the year. Breakfast is often priced separately, so check what your rate includes.
Who it suits
Couples marking an occasion, spa lovers, business travellers and anyone who wants the full Monte-Carlo experience without the crowds that gather outside the most famous hotel on the square. It is a poor fit for families on a budget, since five-star prices in Monaco are among the highest in Europe, and for travellers who care more about being by the beach, where the Larvotto hotels have the edge. If you prefer a seafront stay with a pool, the Fairmont and the Monte-Carlo Bay are better matches.
Booking tips
Rates swing widely with the calendar. The Grand Prix weekend in late spring and the yacht show in September are the most expensive, and midsummer is also busy, while late autumn and winter weekdays can be far cheaper. Sea-view rooms and suites carry a premium, so decide whether the view matters before you pay for it.
Ask about early check-in or luggage storage if you arrive on a morning train, and check the cancellation terms, because flexible rates are usually worth the small extra cost in a destination where plans change with the weather and the events calendar.
Why stay here
- ✓Five-star Monte-Carlo address
- ✓Spa Guerlain
- ✓Short walk to the Casino
- ✓Restaurants and bars (check seasons)
- ✓Pool and fitness facilities (check when you book)
- ✓Sea and city views in many rooms
- ✓Concierge and valet service
- ✓Air conditioning and free Wi-Fi
Good questions
Where is the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo?+
In the Monte-Carlo district, a short walk from Casino Square and the Grand Prix circuit. It is the glamorous end of Monaco, so expect hills and a lot to see on foot.
Does it have a spa?+
Yes, it is known for the Spa Guerlain. Book treatments ahead for weekends and busy seasons, and check opening days when you reserve.
Is it a good choice for a first visit?+
Yes, if budget allows. You are in the middle of the sights, and it is quieter than the hotels right on Casino Square.
