Spread over barely two sqkm of land, wedged between France and Italy and facing the Mediterranean, the Principality of Monaco is synonymous with luxury. From a surprisingly large collection of ultra-luxurious hotels and resorts, standalone boutiques of the choicest brands in the world, some of the best restaurants, most exquisite and well-fitted luxury yachts and of course its own Formula 1 racetrack, Monaco seems to have it all.
Bordered on three sides by France, an amazing view of the snow-clad Alps dominate the backdrop, while on the other side shades of azure and jade are but two of the colours that the Mediterranean Sea displays all along the tiny but attractive pretty coastline. Monaco is surrounded by numerous other luxury spots on the Italian Riviera and the tony French towns of Nice & Cannes.
The city-state’s calendar is packed with a wide range of events – all aimed at specific segments of the fancies and desires of world’s wealthiest persons. Reputed to have the highest concentration of multi-millionaires and the highest per capita income in the European Union, Monaco is the jewel of French Riviera. Blessed with a rich collection of scenic landscapes, even in its small territory, where the sun seems to be shining round the year and a fantastic harbour that always seems to be packed with the most exotic yachts from around the world. The coastline is dotted with dozens of beachside restaurants and night clubs that redefine fine dining, while those bitten by the shopping bug will not be disappointed with the collection of the world’s priciest and choicest labels.
Monaco Yacht Show is the world’s largest superyacht show
Monaco Yacht Show
Held in September each year at the chic Port Hercules, the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) is the world’s largest show of superyachts, with an average length of 49.5 m. Launched in 1991 with only 25 boats, the show, patronised by Prince Albert II of Monaco, now gets over 125 superyachts and attracts, from around the world, yacht buyers as well as enthusiasts and simply those who want to get a glimpse of the stuff that only the richest of the celebrities can afford.
Also present at the MYS is a selection of companies connected to the yachting and luxury markets. It also attracts superyacht builders and designers, yacht brokers and providers of tenders, nautical gadgets and water toys, luxury brands, high-end cars and motorbikes, helicopters and private jets. Little wonder then that the MYS has been attracting a wealthy international clientele of yacht owners, and executives from the superyacht and luxury markets. Ranging from Arab sheikhs, sports and cinema celebrities as well as business leaders, the MYS is a must attend event.
Outside of the yacht show also yachting remains a way of life in Monaco. The Yacht Club de Monaco is a social hub with a sailing school, clubhouse and sports facilities. Besides offering unique opportunities to marvel at the privately-owned boats, Monaco also provides a wide variety of yacht charters and excursions to experience the freshness of sailing on the Mediterranean. From overnight cabins to sailing down the coast for lunch or enjoying a dinner on cruise, chartering a yacht in Monaco is a perfect way to explore the Riviera. The warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea are perfect for water sports and combining boating with some diving, snorkeling or jet skiing is a wonderful way to while away a sunny day in Monaco. Yachts can be chartered with full crew or just the boat for those with adequate experience in boating. The location of the Principality makes it a perfectly poised place to offer sailing to stunning locations along the French Riviera and also the beautiful islands of Sardinia and Capri.
Formula 1
Held in May each year, Formula 1 race in Monaco has been a regular fixture on the global calendar since 1950 when the Formula 1 World Championship began. However, the racetrack here is believed to have been built in 1929 when the sound of racing engines first reverberated here when a local businessman Antony Noghes organised a race with his fellow members of the Automobile Club de Monaco. Each year, Formula 1 enthusiasts from across the world make a beeline to the principality to witness what is clearly one of the most challenging races in the world. The Monaco circuit is one of the most difficult circuits in the Grand Prix circuit as it is extremely narrow and circuitous and makes it practically impossible for drivers to overtake each other.
For those seeking exclusive clubbing experiences, during the day or night, Monaco has a fair sprinkling of clubs that offer the right mix of panache and pizzazz. With cabanas, cocktails, and cool menus there are some real standout beach clubs. Notable amongst these are the Monaco Beach Club, a chic joint with its striped tents, that offers gourmet organic dishes and a rich collection of watersports, besides hosting a seawater pool. Nikki Beach, another favourite of the hipster crowd, is the epitome of a fun, hipster destination with a pool party ambience and signature white daybeds on the rooftop of the Fairmont Montel Carlo hotel.
On the other hand, La Note Bleue recreates the ambience of a beachside jazz lounge bang on the Larvotto Beach so you can relish the music as you watch the sunset. The neighbouring La Rose des Vents serves traditional Monegasque dishes with loungers on the sand. Meanwhile, Miami Plage is a long-established restaurant with its own private beachfront space too.
Monaco is also rich in options for fine-dining experiences. For instance, located in the iconic Hotel de Paris and with three Michelin stars, Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse restaurant boasts of a menu that promises to ‘tell the story of the Riviera’. Similarly, Joel Robuchon in the Metropole, with its two Michelin stars and an ultramodern luxurious feel combined with an open kitchen and authentic Mediterranean cuisine cooked to perfection. Amongst the other Michelin-starred restaurants here are the Blue Bay at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel, a Mediterranean and Caribbean menu with views across luxury yachts and Yoshi, a Japanese-Western fusion, also by Joel Robuchon at the Metropole Hotel.
Sleep in lap of luxury
One thing that Monaco does not lack are options for super-luxurious accommodations. For instance, the Monte-Carlo SBM Resort is a bouquet of four luxury hotels, including the iconic and recently renovated Hotel de Paris as well as the romantic Hotel Hermitage. Monte Carlo Beach, a 1930s beach resort and the Metropole are the other two hotels in this group that also have luxury written all over.
The choice does not end here. Amongst the dozens of other top-notch luxury hotels are the Monte Carlo Bay Resort where the French Riviera meets Las Vegas. Here, well-heeled guests arrive by helicopter or yacht and guests and locals alike relish the spa, the Michelin-starred restaurant and the sandy-bottom lagoon.
Fairmont Monte Carlo, another luxurious resort hotel in Monte Carlo, steps out majestically into the sea on pillars. Along with a clutch of top-notch restaurants, a natural-light spa and rooftop pool with panoramic views over the sea and the Formula One circuit make it an ideal place to put your feet up, especially if travelling with your family.
Boasting of the only private beach in Monaco, Le Méridien Beach Plaza is an ideal place for lovers of parasailing who can enjoy a day out in the sea by the day and party during the night. With its own beach club, operational during the summers only, guests here would enjoy the VIP tents, Italian-Japanese cuisine and live DJ. Columbus Monte-Carlo impresses as one of the principality’s favourite mid-range hotels. Co-founded by racing driver David Coulthard, this independent hotel has long been a popular haunt for international sportsmen and now offers serviced residences – a boon for long-term guests.
Hewn into the rock, a landmark within the Principality, the Port Palace offers views over Monaco’s Port Hercules from every room. This contemporary boutique hotel is popular with yacht owners and their guests as well as
discreet travellers who prize privacy above facilities.
Le Metropole Shopping Center is all about luxury living
Shopping delights
Shopping in Monaco is an experience in itself, with an array of high-end haute couture along with some daily retail spots for casual shopping. Here, luxury brands from across the world are available at every second shop as high-end boutiques and luxury brand stores are densely populated in the city-state. Also, most of the upper-end hotels come equipped with their own shopping arcades or malls. There are also bustling street markets offering delicious regional fare.
One of the best shopping centres is the Le Metropole Shopping Center that is all about luxury living. Its luxury focus becomes evident from the moment you enter the shopping centre, situated inside the Metropole hotel. With its lavish furnishings of crystal chandeliers, Italian marble floors, and upscale brands and over 80 shops selling everything from gourmet food and beauty treatments to designer clothes and exclusive timepieces, one can meet most of the shopping needs under the highly ornate ceiling.
A good spot to escape the summer heat and humidity, you’ll also find a handful of swanky restaurants inside. With lots of high-end boutiques and exclusive brands available at Le Metropole Shopping Center, it should be no surprise that things aren’t cheap here. Even if a wild shopping spree isn’t on your itinerary, the window-shopping alone may well make a trip here worthwhile.
Similar is the experience at the Fontvieille Shopping Centre that has a more practical mix of luxury and daily needs. But its star appeal is the private collection of antique cars of Prince Rainier III. The contrast could not have been sharper as the complex is also home to a large Carrefour supermarket selling groceries and everyday items.
La Condamine Market manages to maintain a warm Provençal feel to it amid all the Monegasque opulence and has done since it was established some 140 years ago. This market is an excellent spot to sample distinctively Monegasque fare, including socca, fougasse, and barbagiuans. The spread here attracts locals and visitors alike. A number of bars and restaurants also open up in the food hall after the bustle of a day’s market trading has ended, ensuring that the area remains vibrant throughout the evening as locals and visitors descend for food
and drinks.
For those looking for some finest custom-made Italian suits and shirts, Steffano Ricci in Fairmont Hotel is the place to go to. It has more of the feel of a private gentleman’s club than a clothes shop. Besides the suits, it also has all sorts of accessories including belts, cufflinks, wallets, and footwear. The store also sells high-end home furnishings and even has a department dedicated to kitting out superyachts.
