Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo

An extravagant pure-white swan of a building, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo is arguably the true palace of Monte-Carlo. Belle Epoque columns and spires adorn the facade; statuettes of nubile nymphs flank arched doorways and fountains, and a bronze statue of Louis XIV on horseback stands in the lobby, the horse′s knees rubbed shiny by over a century of superstitious gamblers.

Historically, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo catered to some of the most demanding guests — Winston Churchill, novelist Colette, and of course, Princesses Grace and Caroline. The doormen are extremely formal and polite, if a touch forbidding in their Lagerfeld-designed outfits. The rooms are nice enough, especially the ones facing the Mediterranean, and all of them have massive marble bathrooms. You can spend an entire day on your bed gazing at the yachts and helicopters below, ordering turbot in hollandaise and caviar while your concierge books you a translator and secretary. But it is the downstairs that is truly spectacular. The cathedral-like lobby drips with gilt and even the men′s restroom is adorned with Louis XV chairs. The restaurant, Le Louis XV, features the three-starred cuisine of Alain Ducasse and a wine cellar with millions of dollars worth of century-old Napoleon brandy and Chateau Margaux 1920. But restaurant aside, the Hotel de Paris is also the best located and most convenient address in town. It′s down the road from the city′s largest spa, Les Thermes Marins, across the street from the Cafe de Paris, and adjoins the Casino of Monte-Carlo—all of which, as a hotel guest, you are admitted to for free.

While Monte-Carlo is no longer as extravagant as it once was — the jacket and tie have replaced the tuxedo and tourists wander around innocently in shorts — the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo has not changed a bit. Princess Caroline still throws fêtes here in the awe-inspiring ballroom, and you still half expect Churchill to wander by at ten in the morning, a snifter of priceless cognac in hand. Somerset Maugham once famously called Monte-Carlo “a sunny place for shady people.” And the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, is still the one, safe place where the elegant, sunny people can come and play at the shady life