Monte Carlo Beach Hotel****+, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France.

Located right on the sea front overlooking the Mediterranean with a view all the way to the old town of Monte-Carlo, this 1930's hotel has been completely refurbished using an ultra modern palette that blends perfectly with the spirit of the original architect. It is clearly designed for summer and holiday visitors who expect to live outside, swim in the sea or lap the olympic pool, bake in the sun or cool off in the cabanas of this upscale resort community. It is also the home to our new favorite chef on the coast, chef John Claude Brugel, of Restaurant Elsa.

Peter and Linda D'Aprix 2010

The iconic and beautifully restored Monte Carlo Beach Hotel and Resort just barely on the Menton side of the border between France and Monaco, offers every amenity and service for couples or families for short or extended stays. The lovely terra-cotta building contrasts appealingly with the brilliant blue of the Mediterranean. The 40 modern rooms and suites are all open and airy with novel line art frescos (with inspiration of Matisse and Cocteau) on the walls coupled with a fresh color palette (each floor different from the other) completes the feeling of well-being and renewal. The lush vegetation, we especially love the cypresses and Aleppo pine trees, create a truly magical setting.

But perhaps its greatest claim to fame is the really wonderful cuisine of chef John Claude Brugel of restaurant Elsa. He is a superb culinary artist. For more on his food click here >>.

The hotel is built on a curve conforming to the sea side landscape. Thus the rooms are all in a slight wedge. The smaller rooms have tucked the walk in closet and the ultra modern bathrooms into the thin part of the wedge allowing for a more spacious use of space for the little lounge and bed with the largest expanse for the indoor-outdoor terrace. The sea facing wall is all glass so light floods in with that special light of the Mediterranean.

Evening image of the entrance of the hotel. The micro loung of the hotel that is flooded with light. Typical interior design of the hotel. This is a mini lounge found on each floor at the elevators.		zoom ++ View of the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel from the pier that juts out from the beach. zoom ++ Broccoli soup with goat cheese ravioli, sun dried tomatoes, broccoli buds and the obligatory foam dabs.
To see larger version of the photo, click on the "zoom++" link. Peter D'Aprix © 2010

The renovation was done using highly innovative state-of-the-art technology from door keys to internet connections, from bathroom fixtures that should be in an exhibit to custom built in lounges (mini in the standard room to expansive in the suites) and all low key allowing a romantic feel to come to the fore.

The hotel is part of the "Beach Club". So guests can make use of the Olympic sized seawater pool kept at 24 C, sun bath on "Le Deck" by the pool, eat at the restaurant by the pool or at "La Vigie" out on the spit that juts into the sea, take advantage of the water sports with a choice of jet-ski, parasailing, inflatable torpedo flying chair and water-skiing, enjoy massages on the beach in air-conditioned booths at the Monte-Carlo Spa even take a dip to cool off in the little pool right by the pier. If all of that does not satisfy you, there is a shuttle that, well, shuttle between all the SMB properties in Monaco. They are all within a few minutes of each other so stay at one, eat at another and be dropped off for shopping or the Casino or festivals or theatre . . . well you get the idea. Just leave the car to have a rest and just make it easy on yourself.

Beach side private cabanas some with wood decking. The Olympic sized salt water pool with the hotel in the background and the restaurant out of sight to the left of the photo.		Bedroom hallway with "porthole" window seating. zoom ++ Twilight view out over the coastline of Monaco from the window table at the Elsa Restaurant with Monte-Carlo in the background on the spit of land to the left of the photo.
Peter D'Aprix © 2010

This is a great and romantic hotel in a very modern way. It is a fair-weather place since there is really not much of an inside lounge that beckons. It is the great out of doors that beckons instead and there are so many places to enjoy, each with its own character day or night. Since it is just on the edge of town, it is also peaceful and yet just a few minutes from the fun and excitement of night life. Although, after a day in the sun and water sports, the bedroom can look like a most inviting place to destroy evening plans.

It has often been difficult to find snacks and a light meal between set lunch and set dinner hours but the sleek and intimate lobby offers tempting fare from 11.00 AM to 11.00 PM like stuffed tomatoes smoked or grilled, Mozzarella Agathes and yellow tomatoes, smoked and grilled fillet of salmon and aubergines, caviar on finger toasts and chilled brut champagne, chicken wings, curry-fruit veal on skewers and more.. Interesting juices, exotic drinks, coffees brewed with beans from around the world (your choice), are available as well as superb tea in the afternoon. During the summer months (July and August) a marvelous Sunday brunch at restaurant "La Vigne" sounds wonderful and moves back to the Monte Carlo deck in September and October.

Rooms and Suites at Monte Carlo Beach Hotel
A typical junior suite.		Livingroom of full suite.
Part of the bathroom of a suite with a family sized walk in shower, twin sinks and full bathrub.		A suite bedroom with art on the wall and the signature wide white and grey stripes that adorn one wall of each room.

Finding the hotel can be a bit perplexing if you are coming from the east. it is well signposted from Monaco whether you drive along the coast road (Avenue Princess Grace) from the center or arrive on one of the higher routes. There is signage on the roundabouts that direct you to the resort rather than the hotel. But coming from Roquebrune on the eastern side, make sure you take care not to follow the signs to Monaco but to look for the signs to the resort instead or you could, like we did, find yourselves exploring the one ways systems in Monaco instead. If in doubt, call the hotel and they will help you find them since there are some crucial turns to make.

Monte Carlo Beach Hotel
Avenue Princess Grace,
06190 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin,
France (only just across the border)
Tel : +377 98.06.25.25
Fax : +377 98.06.26.26
Web Site: www.monte-carlo-beach.com
You can make a reservation from the web site.
E-mail : montecarlo@relaischateaux.com

Member of Monte-Carlo S.B.M. (Société des Bains de Mer)
and, in 2010, a new member of the Relais et Châteaux Chain

Location: We are including the hotel in both our French and our Monaco coverages since it almost straddles the frontier between the two and is only a stone's throw from the center of Monte-Carlo. .

Prices: from 310€ to 2290€ depending on room choice and season. All the rooms and suites have a loggia and a magnificent view of the sea, air-conditioning, wifi, E-station (e-phone & e-pod) 100 TV channels with the possibility of personalising a channel for your event, e-station, mini-bar. The best in hi-tech for an unforgettable stay. Sensations of peacefulness, a delightful life-style and “dolce farniente” are all to be enjoyed as if on a floating palace. Private landing-dock providing access from the sea. Coverd parking. Open from March to November (although we hear they want to be open most of the year soon)