Thierry Henry sits across from us in the lobby of Hotel Metropole in Monte Carlo, whilst we sip on our cocktails and contemplate our surroundings. This is a hotel that has seen a staggering number of famous faces over the years, including a number who have died here (including Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, apparently), and it truly is a hotel that screams wealth.
Stay here and you will enjoy a swimming pool designed by Karl Lagerfeld, spa and beauty treatments are available at one of only three Givenchy spas in the world, they have not one but two Michelin starred restaurants (including the two-Michelin starred Joël Robuchon), and the sweeping driveway is adorned with Maserati’s and Ferrari’s.
Arriving at Hotel Metropole
From the moment we arrive we are in awe of the sumptuous public rooms. The lobby is dark and mysterious, and despite the cost of staying here and despite the overly grand design, it feels homely, which is perhaps due to half of the hotel being exclusive private apartments owned by Monte Carlo’s most discerning residents.
The intricate central display changes every three months, each display change requiring hours of painstaking precision and hard work. Currently it is by artist Tsuyu Bridwell, and is a showcase of delicate origami butterflies suspended in the air, themed to tie in with Michelin-starred YOSHI’s 10th Anniversary.
Poolside cafe, Odyssey
Dining at Hotel Metropole
YOSHI is the only Japanese restaurant in the world by legendary chef Joel Robuchon, and is providing guests the opportunity to experience 10 memorable and unique moments until the end of November. I had the pleasure of meeting YOSHI head chef, Takéo Yamazaki, who was a close friend of Mr Robuchon’s, and who is very much a hands-on chef. The intimate restaurant was empty of guests and a hive of activity of staff members preparing it for the lunch service when I visited, and yet there Yamazaki was, present among the staff and helping them make sure the restaurant was perfect in time for diners.
Each of the 10 exclusive experiences on offer at YOSHI pay homage to Japanese culture and heritage, offering guests unique activities such as saké tasting, origami classes, Kabuki makeup workshops, visiting the Japanese Gardens of Monaco, cooking classes with chef Takéo Yamazaki, and enjoying an exclusive anniversary menu at the Michelin starred restaurant.
The late Joël Robuchon’s restaurant is luxurious with plush grey and silver curve-backed chairs, enveloping you within the comforting safety of his capable staff and exquisite food. This is also where breakfast is served each morning, and it really is an exceptional breakfast. If you would like a less formal breakfast you can also choose to take breakfast in your room or suite, or at the poolside cafe. The poolside cafe, Odyssey, is a more relaxed and quieter option, with the most perfect runny poached eggs I have ever had.
Hotel Metropole’s Junior Suite
The lavish suites were renovated in 2003, so are looking a little tired these days, but they are still completely beautiful and very traditional in their style. We enjoyed our stay in a Junior Suite on the 4th floor of the hotel, with the bathroom being one of my favourite parts of it. Humongous in size and with a giant bath and the biggest walk in shower I have ever seen (the shower alone was quite literally the same size as the entire bathroom in my house in Sydney).
Verdict
Price-wise Hotel Metropole is not reasonable, but this is Monaco and you do not come to Monaco on a budget. Cocktails are upwards of 30 Euros, and . Funnily enough, the place we found was cheapest for cocktails was actually Casino de Monte Carlo, however they were weak and unimpressive, whilst Hotel Metropole’s were potent and far better quality. An entry-level room at Hotel Metropole starts at USD$600, whilst the Junior Suite we stayed in starts at USD$900.
Book your stay online at Hotel Metropole’s website.
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Catherine Lux is a food and travel contributor at AGLAIA, and a luxury lifestyle blogger documenting her life on her blog, Lux Life London. With Lux Life London having a large focus on travel and food, she loves nothing more than long-haul flights, excellent restaurants, and relaxing with friends in the coolest places in town.
