Even Winston Churchill
Even Winston Churchill would hardly recognise his former digs now that the Art Deco Rotonde has been completely rebuilt from scratch Le Bar Américain, left, and the Princess Grace Suite, above, are intrinsic parts of the modern-day Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, which still maintains its old-fashioned glamour aubergine topped with yogurt and peanuts; tender glazed baby octopus on a bed of lentils and beets; and a featherlight date and lemon soufflé for dessert – not to mention the more than 1,000 selections of Mediterranean vintages that populate the Hôtel de Paris wine cellar. Open all day (including breakfast), diners may choose between the ocean-liner elegance of the Pierre-Yves Rochon-designed interiors – a medley of polished wood, caramel leather and bronze – or the lush subtropical garden terrace, with sea-facing corners for private tables. Still going strong is the also recently renovated three- Michelin-starred Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse, the temple of modern southern French and Ligurian “peasant cooking” which opened in 1987. The once faded Old-World dining room now glows with discreetly contemporary touches bathed in soft amber tones. Completing the culinary trifecta is the sleek spruce-up at the Hôtel de Paris’s Le Grill, a classic Provençal restaurant perched on the eighth floor of the Rotonde wing. Newly awarded a Michelin star, its classic menu, sliding roof and panoramic views of the glittery sea remain unchanged, but the airy atmosphere is a soothing melange of cerulean blues to match the sky. Even Winston Churchill – once a resident of this historic wing – would hardly recognise his former digs now that the Art Deco Rotonde has been completely rebuilt from scratch. Among the spacious modern rooms of all shapes and sizes are the opulent Diamond Suites, with spectacular vistas of the coast and personalised services of the highest standard. But the ultimate pride of joy is up on the roof: the 910sq m two-bedroom Princess Grace Suite, spread over two floors, which boasts clean minimalist lines awash with twinkly lights, soft gold, cream and pale grey furnishings, cavernous marble bathrooms and two pools. Scattered throughout the suite are some of Princess Grace’s own artworks and personal photos, plus an office lined with her favourite literary classics. And for symmetry’s sake, on the opposite rooftop – and thankfully unaffected by a recent fire on a nearby area that is still under construction – is the just-opened Prince Rainier III Suite, a jaw-dropping 600sq m extravaganza with a sprawling terrace and a dreamy infinity pool, perched above the humming Casino Square. Even if you don’t ascend to these princely heights, you can still enjoy the Hôtel de Paris’s new ground-floor attraction: a splendid marble colonnade and palm-lined interior patio decked out with small tables for tea, the perfect place to gear up for a serious dose of retail therapy next door at the equally new and wonderfully indulgent One Monte-Carlo complex – or, perhaps, for a modernday Colette to spot the next young thing in Hollywood. hoteldeparismontecarlo.com PHOTOS © MONTE-CARLO SOCIÉTÉ DES BAINS DE MER 100 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM FOR THE LATEST HOTEL OPENINGS AND NEWS, GO TO: CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
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