Edited by: TJVNews.com
Ideally located in the Carré d’Or, a few steps from the Casino, the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. This luxurious Belle Époque style property was built in 1886. It was entirely renovated by acclaimed French architect Jacques Garcia, who created a palace of 125 rooms and suites combining glamour, sophistication and sensoriality with Mediterranean charm, in tune with the times. In 2017, this expert in design and luxury revamped the main public areas to further enchant them.
Excecutive Chef Christophe Cussac invites you to live a unique and convivial culinary experience within the footsteps of his ‘spiritual father’, the late Joël Robuchon. The Lobby Bar, with its glamorous, elegant and warm ambience, for all sweet and savoury tastebuds, is the unmissable meeting place for fine diners to taste modern, innovative and refined cuisine using Mediterranean flavors. Yoshi, the only Japanese restaurant on the Côte d’Azur to be awarded a Michelin star since 2010, showcases typical Japanese cuisine in a contemporary and daring décor by Didier Gomez. Odyssey is a charming poolside restaurant within a ‘haute couture’ setting designed by Karl Lagerfeld. The House of Givenchy opened its third Spa in the world, the Spa Metropole by Givenchy in April 2017 at the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo. Also designed by architect Didier Gomez and ideally integrated into the Palace, the Spa Metropole by Givenchy embodies the philosophy of the House’s core values: the choice of an exceptional location, with the luxury of space, sophistication of treatments, and a haven for absolute pleasure and well-being.
Since its original opening in 1889, Metropole has offered guests memorable stays and experiences. Standing upon land once owned by Pope XIII, the property was acquired by the Monte-Carlo Hotel Company Ltd. in 1886. Hotel Metropole came into being in the euphoria and prosperity of the “Belle Époque” period towards the end of the 19th century. The era dedicated itself to the pleasures of refined vacationing, for which the Metropole became one of the most highly-prized addresses on the Côte d’Azur. Since its opening, Hotel Metropole has attracted an international and elite clientele, ranging from celebrities and aristocrats to businessmen. It is believed that American novelist Edith Warton was inspired by Hotel Metropole when she wrote “The House of Mirth.” Published in 1905 and partially set in Monte-Carlo, Edith describes the Garden of Eden, in the same likeness as the patrician palace-style landscaped gardens still found today at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo.
In the 1980s, Lebanese developer, Nabil Boustany, acquired the property and took on the major operation of restoring the hotel to its former brilliance. With the renovation came a new name, Metropole Palace, and Nabil’s work exceeded the hotel’s goal of bringing guests a new level of luxurious hospitality. A place of serenity in the heart of town, the address drew further attention as a destination within Monaco.
Moving forward to the fall of 2003, the hotel embarked on a new chapter with a second restoration. The new five-star establishment re-opened in summer 2004 as Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, representing the pinnacle of luxury with a new concept of prestige and hospitality.
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo consists of 125 rooms and suites, all of which demonstrate the art of comfort and refinement. Designer Jacques Garcia, who has decorated some of the world’s most renowned hotels, composed a design that at once blends warmth and luxury with chic and cozy tones. Decorated in Mediterranean style, each room appears to have stepped out of a scene on nobility. For instance, interior furniture is shaped in scroll formation with refined fabrics and a palette of glowing and shimmering hues, finished with a honey-colored wood varnish. Space and comfort The most crucial feature in each suite’s décor is the exposure to natural light. Out of the 125 rooms, 64 are suites with separate sitting-rooms and a balcony for the bedroom. The bathrooms are finished with white Carrara marble, massage jet showers, large bathtubs and double-hand basins.
The largest suite in the hotel, Suite Carré d’Or is Hotel Metropole’s sumptuous penthouse, offering the “ultimate” in luxury and glamour. Featuring 2,500 square feet (240 m²), the Suite and its terrace demonstrate exemplary balance between exquisite taste and indoor/outdoor refinement, offering 180 degree views of Monte Carlo, the “Golden Square,” Casino gardens and the Mediterranean sea.
A spectrum of glowing hues Just as ravishing on the inside, the spectrum of natural light through the floor-to ceiling windows complements the ivory patina décor, honey-colored parquet floors, Louis XVI furniture and dotting of majestic artwork. A bookcase with an enticing collection of original works is also available for those who wish to read within the room or terrace. A prominent master bedroom opens out to a dressing-room with a vanity cupboard and bathroom, featuring a tub and massage jet shower. A mix of tradition and modernity, the space is sculpted and adorned as the premier destination for comfort in Monaco.
In April 2017, the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo unveiled its brand new gem: the Spa Metropole by Givenchy. An exceptional world of beauty and well-being re-imagined by designer Didier Gomez. Harmonies in black, white and gold, reflecting the brand’s esthetic codes. One of the spa’s original features: a digitalized wall of natural vegetation, giving it a poetic and futuristic breath of fresh air. An icon of French fashion and a flagship of excellence in cosmetics, Givenchy has created here a unique address, a real ode to the pleasures of the spa and its beneficial offerings.
Givenchy skincare products such as Le Soin Noir, L’Intemporel and Hydra Sparkling rely on the latest scientific discoveries for targeted solutions for all skin types. This is an essential step in your beauty routine that can be prolonged by the Givenchy Le MakeUp range, which offers creative expression, advanced formulas and the brand’s extraordinary colour expertise. All ten treatment rooms are decorated in nuanced shades of white, with embossed walls that evoke the lace of Haute Couture gowns.
These include a double suite and a single suite equipped with a bath and private hammam. The spa offers a “Heat Experience” package, which includes the sauna, hammam, caldarium, ice fountain and sensory showers. It also boasts a gym with all the latest equipment as well as a Pedi:Mani:Cure studio by Bastien Gonzalez. Last but not least, a dedicated Givenchy beauty boutique brings together all the brand’s products, from makeup and skincare to fragrances. The exclusive L’Atelier de Givenchy fragrance collection makes its debut here in Monaco.
Interior Designer Didier Gomez is the designer of Yoshi, unique Japanese restaurant in the French Riviera with one Michelin star, which opened in 2008. Gomez worked closely with the landscaper, Jacques Messin, to create a transitional space between the interior and exterior of the restaurant. The dining room opens onto a Japanese-inspired garden, creating harmony for the surrounding environment. Gomez’s previous work includes the décor of Asian inspired restaurants, “The Mood” in Paris, as well as prestigious collaborations with internationally known brands such as LVMH, Vivendi, Ferragamo, Céline, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent and Armani. In 2017, Gomez designs the new Spa Metropole by Givenchy, the new wellbeing area at the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo. The design fits perfectly with the hotel’s philosophy while respecting the chic and glamorous vision of the House of Givenchy
Internationally renowned architectural and interior designer, Jacques Garcia, was selected to recreate the interiors and the exterior landscape of the Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo as part of the property’s multi-million dollar renovation plan. With experience redesigning hotels in New York, Paris, Geneva, Beirut and Marrakech, Garcia transformed the 125-room hotel from an old-world luxury property typical of Monte-Carlo into a more contemporary location unlike any other in the Principality. Jacques Garcia adapted his “Signature Designs” style within the property, evoking warmth and attitude to create a luxurious, Mediterranean interior.
In 2019, Jacques Garcia reaffirmed his mark by reviving the hotel’s famous Suite Carré d’Or. “We have only updated the premises. The hotel does not need to be changed. It pleases and has always pleased. You don’t change mythical places, you only constantly readapt them!”.
The master of reinvention, the late designer Karl Lagerfeld had repeatedly transformed himself and his labels. In 2012, Lagerfeld was brought on to design the Hotel Metropole MonteCarlo pool-area, creating an “haute couture” setting now known as Odyssey. The pool concept features a unique fresco-styled glass installation around the heated sea-water pool portraying Ulysses’ journey as well as beautifully-curated gardens, private cabanas, a pool house and a restaurant. Lagerfeld was the creative director of Chanel and Fendi and had previously designed for Chloe.
Béatrice Ardisson serves as the Sound Designer for Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo and Spa Metropole by Givenchy where she curates the music played throughout the restaurant and lounge areas, creating an intimate atmosphere tailored to the hotel’s chic and sensual ambiance of “Riviera Glamour.” Thrilled to work on this project for Hotel Metropole alongside famous artists and designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, inspiration came easily and she immediately composed a sleek and contemporary musical atmosphere. A mixed composer, Ardisson holds prior experience as sound designer for the 90’s TV show “Paris Dernière,” which resulted in the release of several internationally distributed records. She also worked with prestigious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Jules & Jim and more. She has composed original soundtracks on themes chosen by the hotel: quiet by day, rising to crescendo in the evenings.
