Many years ago, when I first visited the ever-glamorous principality, I stayed at what was then the Loews Hotel.
It has since been bought by the Fairmont Group and renamed, but the magic of its location remains unaltered.
It is what made me fall in love with Monte Carlo at the time and, looking out to sea at some of the most beautiful yachts in the world from the generously proportioned balcony that’s perched just above the water, I was reminded of the same longing to pause time.
All great hotels sell fantasy – some better than others – and the Fairmont in Monaco does this particularly well. In order to make the most of it, you do need a seaside room or suite because you have an uninterrupted view of the bay, with nothing but beautiful boats bobbing up and down almost within reach and seagulls perching every so often on the edge of your terrace. At the time of writing, I am admiring the Maltese Falcon, a rare treat and one of the largest sailing yachts ever to be built.
The terrace itself is sheltered by an electric awning and furnished with all you need to spend most of your days there if you were so inclined. The sea below is the closest you’d get to in the very centre of Monte Carlo.
The state of the art spa and swimming pool complex on the 7th floor transforms into a nightclub terrace in the evenings, complete with a red coloured pool, DJ, cool sofas, shisha pipes and tall girls in diminutive outfits. This too adds to the fantasy aspect.
The Fairmont has a spectacular rooftop area, in fact, where it all happens. You can take a drink or a snack, or have a full meal, and simply watch the world go by.
The rooms are generous, with twin double beds and, in addition to the minibar, tea/coffee making facilities which is a nice touch.
On the minus side, the Internet is not free. At just under 20 Euro per day, it does discourage the use of laptops which is not altogether a bad thing here. Looking at the newspaper headlines while having breakfast on your terrace, you might consider what life was, and could be, without being constantly “wired” and connected – there to enjoy and savour, as opposed to gulp and move on, trying to be all things to all people, in several places at once.
We sadly missed the opening of the new Nobu restaurant (due to open late 2013) but greatly looking forward to our next visit here.
The Fairmont is at
12, Avenue des Spélugues
Monte Carlo
Monaco
98000
TEL + 377 93 50 65 00
http://www.fairmont.com/monte-carlo/
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