Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo

Built in the early 1900s, the Hermitage is a creamy confection featuring all the cornices, corbels, balustrades and wrought-iron flourishes that are synonymous with Belle Epoque style. Inside, the luxe look continues in the common areas where tony travelers kick back amid antiques and original art. Chic locals, meanwhile, can be seen hobnobbing beneath the glorious stained-glass dome Eiffel designed for the Winter Garden and sipping grand cru while ensconced in Le Crystal Bar’s leather armchairs. It's a look and a scene that's decidedly high-end, although some travelers may find its formality entirely too stuffy. But it's precisely these trappings and the attentive service that have earned the Hermitage membership in exclusive leisure/hotel groups such as the Leading Hotels of the World consortium and the local Société des Bains de Mer.

Situated in the tony Carré d’Or district, this hotel has the yacht-dotted harbor on one side and Beaumarchais Square on the other. The fact that it’s linked via an underground walkway to one of Europe’s top spas (Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo) and offers easy on-foot access to both upscale shops and the city’s famed casino, makes the location ideal for hedonists of all stripes. When it’s time for sun and sand, free transportation (plus free entry) to the Monte-Carlo Beach Club is provided in season. Note that guests flying through Nice’s international airport can arrange ground transfers on-site; shuttle service for the local heliport is also offered. If you’re driving yourself, paid hotel parking is available.

• Four-minute walk to Casino de Monte-Carlo 
• Eight-minute walk to Carré d'Or shopping
• 11-minute walk to Monaco/Monte-Carlo Train Station
• Six-minute drive to Oceanographic Museum
• Seven-minute drive to Monaco Cathedral
• Eight-minute drive to Prince's Palace
• Nine-minute drive to Monte-Carlo Beach Club
• 11-minute drive to Monaco/Monte-Carlo Heliport
• 32-minute drive to Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport

The Hermitage's rooms, ranging from the smallest units to the largest suite, vary widely in terms of size and amenities. The former measure just 193-square feet and feature little more than minibars, safes, and flat-screen TVs, while the latter boasts three bedrooms, three bathrooms, three loggias, a living area, plus perks like on-request butler service, fresh flowers, and free Wi-Fi. Moreover, each air-conditioned option is individually decorated, yet all share a common aesthetic that offers a comfortable, contemporary take on Belle Epoque style: picture period furnishings, decorative wallpaper panels, muted silk curtains, and premium linens. Across the board, handsome bathrooms feature deep tubs and showers (either separate or combined), along with designer bath products, cozy robes, and monogrammed towels.

Not surprisingly, dining choices here are top-notch. Leading the list is Le Vistamar, a Michelin-starred restaurant designed by Pierre Yves Rochon and helmed by chef Benoît Witz, where sublimely simply seafood is served either in the light, bright dining room or on the sea-view terrace. Le Limùn, with its sparkling chandeliers and ornamental plasterwork, specializes in afternoon tea; while L’Hirondelle offers a health-oriented menu and Le Crystal counters with sophisticated bar bites and high-end beverages. 

However, it’s the four-story sister spa -- Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo -- that often steals the show. One of Europe’s best, the stunning spot covers over 71,000-square feet and offers a full slate of beauty and wellness treatments; plus it has a heated pool opening onto a solarium, a sauna, steam room, salon, and an up-to-date fitness room with TechnoGym equipment and floor-to-ceiling water-view windows. Guest preferring alfresco exercise get free entry to the Monte-Carlo Beach Club (and free shuttle transportation), April to October. Discounted rates, meanwhile, are offered at the Monte-Carlo Golf Club and tennis-oriented Country Club. 

The hotel, being a popular venue for business and social functions, also boasts a dozen events spaces -- among them the crimson-and-gilt Salle Belle Epoque and the more modern, moody Salle Eiffel. Other on-site features include a round-the-clock reception desk with multi-lingual staff; a games room; a business center; concierge, currency exchange, dry-cleaning/laundry and turndown services; and 24-hour room service. In-room Wi-Fi is free for guests in Diamond Suites: otherwise a hefty daily fee applies for internet access property-wide.