The Monte-Carlo Beach Set to Shine on Monaco's Mediterranean Shores

Few hotels capture Monaco’s Mediterranean sensuality as well as the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel, a 1930’s seaside villastyle resort that is currently being fully renovated under the direction of noted Parisian architect and designer India Mahdavi. Set to reopen in time for the Grand Prix in May 2009, the storied property is poised to once again usher in a charmingly carefree era of parties, sojourns for the rich and famous and yachts moored at its pontoon. Open March to December, the hotel will feature 40 marine themed guest rooms and suites; four restaurants, including Elsa, a new fine dining restaurant, a private beach, heated seawater swimming pool, massages in beach tents and mooring at the hotel’s private pontoon. “We are delighted to reintroduce the iconic Monte Carlo Beach,” said Bernard Lambert, Chief Executive, MonteCarlo SBM. “ It has long been synonymous with luxury, serenity and pleasure and, through judicious planning and careful attention to its storied past, we have succeeded in preserving the hotel’s magic while adapting it to contemporary tastes.” Mahdavi added, “The Monte Carlo Beach Hotel is a mythical Riviera gem. I seek to revive the great era of the 1930’s with modernity and elegance.”

Mahdavi’s previous projects include the Hotel on Rivington in New York, Hotel Condesa DF in Mexico and the Connaught in London. She also collaborates with luxury brands such as Bernardaud and Ruinart to develop products. Under her direction, the hotel’s guest rooms and suites will be infused with a bright, seaside sensibility. “The colors are inspired by the seashore,” said Mahdavi. “For the beach, I imagined a romance, a timeless sentimental story, with a backdrop of images of the Riviera; the brightly colored juxtapositions of Matisse, George HoynigenHuene’s black and white photographs of elegant young women in bathing suits,” she added. Guest rooms feature a private sea view terrace, airconditioning, flat screen TVs with 130 channels and the possibility to personalize the screen for a group event, PCs on TVs, inroom video conferencing, estations and minibars. Wifi is available throughout the hotel. Accommodations include single or double rooms (30m²), junior suites (4353m ²), and suites (62m²86m ²). The exclusive Sunshine double suite is 86 m² with a private rooftop Jacuzzi. Two meeting rooms are available for conferences, comprising 500m² of space.

The hotel boasts four restaurants, including the gourmet Elsa, featuring contemporary, seasonal cuisine from the sea, with a modern twist on traditional dishes served in the Riviera during the1920’s and 1930’s. The Deck is an ideal spot for lunch next to the hotel’s extraordinary salt water swimming pool. With its exotic decor, sumptuous sofas on the sand, soft lighting and spirited DJs, the Sea Lounge draws crowds as the sun sets over the white sand and, at nightfall, becomes a favorite of the Riviera’s most fashionable partygoers, serving sushi, tapas and cocktails. Open only in summer, La Vigie is a perfect setting for enjoying a buffet for lunch or dinner (a la carte). Guests will enjoy a full range of water sports, including parasailing, flyfishing, swimming and jetskiing off the coast of Menton and StJeanCapFerrat; beach volleyball; a fullyequipped fitness center with optional personal training sessions; an 18hole golf course through the MonteCarlo Golf Club and tennis at the MonteCarlo Country Club. And, the Marmorata kids’ club includes supervised games and activities for children throughout the day. In addition, guests receive MonteCarlo SBM’s exclusive “Carte d’Or,” allowing free access to the Casino de MonteCarlo, charge privileges at all MonteCarlo SBM hotels, free access to the aquaftiness complex of Les Thermes Marins, unlimited shuttle transportation between properties, and discounts of 50% on fees at the MonteCarlo Country Club and MonteCarlo Golf Club. Opening rates start at $753 for a single/double room, $950 for a junior suite and $1885 for a suite*. Rates are subject to change and currency fluctuation. Reservations can be made by calling MonteCarlo SBM tollfree at (800) 5950898. For additional details, visit www.montecarlobeachhotel.com.