Columbus Monte-Carlo

The Columbus Monte-Carlo is smartly decorated and modern, if ever so slightly sterile, decked out in shades of beige and taupe. The lobby is a large and windowless space with lots of tan-leather banquettes, armchairs, and little nooks with sofas and dark-wood coffee tables nestled inside, as well as bookshelves housing knickknacks and a few books. Just open for breakfast, the dining room is a similar space, with taupe-suede chairs at dark-wood tables. Outside is a terrace with tables and chairs, and views over the Mediterranean and the Princess Grace rose garden. During the summer months, an outdoor pool provides another spot for sea vistas. Despite its corporate feel, this hotel tends to attract leisure travelers of all sorts.

The Columbus Monte-Carlo is located at the southern end of Monte Carlo, overlooking the Port de Fontvieille -- a four-minute walk away at the foot of the cliff -- and the Princess Grace rose garden. Although the hotel is in a quiet neighborhood, there are still several shops, bars, and restaurants nearby. Farther afield, the Prince’s Palace is a 15-minute walk away, while the Casino Monte Carlo and Cafe du Paris are 25 minutes away. The hotel runs a free minibus service into the center of town. Expect transfers to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport to take 35 to 40 minutes by car. Alternatively, guests coming in by helicopter can take a five-minute walk to Monaco Heliport.

The 181 rooms here are bright and modern, outfitted in elegant, if a bit corporate, decor consisting of ivory walls, dark-wood furniture, tasteful striped carpets and linens, and black-and-white photos. Some, but unfortunately not all, have furnished balconies with lovely views over the Mediterranean and surrounding area. Classic Rooms are comfortable but can feel cramped, featuring a double bed, small desk, wicker armchair, and large flat-screen TV. Deluxe Rooms are larger, with space for a couch and two armchairs around a leather-topped coffee table. These categories have contemporary bathrooms with white subway-style tiles and a shower/tub combo. Junior Suites have a queen-sized bed and separate living room with a couch and armchairs. Bathrooms are larger but similar, though tiles are brown. 

Suites are the largest of the bunch, and have walls painted a moody slate gray, contrasting with white linens on the king-sized beds. Each Suite has a separate living room furnished with a comfy couch, two armchairs, and walk-in closet, plus a big bathroom with dual sinks, a bathtub, and shower cubicle with a rainfall showerhead. There's one self-contained apartment unit, with two separate bedrooms. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, safe, air-conditioning, minibar, and free Wi-Fi.

Although most guests here spend their days outside the property, the Columbus Monte-Carlo offers a few quality features to keep guests on-site. A small, but well-equipped gym has cardio and weight-training machines, plus free weights. A decent-sized swimming pool is located outside with loungers and views of the Mediterranean, though they're partially obstructed from palm trees. Waiter service for food and drinks is offered by the pool. Note, that's only open from May through October. A buffet breakfast is available in the mornings, but there's no lunch or dinner service. That said, the bar serves snacks and light meals through the day, and the hotel hosts a revolving array of pop-up restaurants during the summer months. Four meeting spaces are on-site, the largest of which can accommodate 130 people. A free shuttle bus runs from the hotel to the center of Monte Carlo and back throughout the day. There is free and reliable Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.