Where to Stay in Monaco
There are some hotels that make you feel as though you have arrived somewhere special the moment you open the curtains, and Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort was exactly that kind of place for me.
From my room, the view stretched out toward the beach and the Mediterranean beyond it, setting the tone for the entire stay. There was something instantly calming about waking up to that expanse of blue, with the light reflecting off the water and the coastline unfolding below. Even in a destination as glamorous as Monaco, the hotel managed to feel relaxed and transportive, offering a peaceful retreat just moments from the energy of Monte-Carlo.
The setting made it easy to slip into vacation mode. Mornings began slowly, with the sea just outside, while afternoons felt made for lingering by the water and taking in the Riviera atmosphere. Monte-Carlo Bay has the polish and service you expect in Monaco, but what stayed with me most was its sense of space and ease. The beach view gave the entire experience a softer, more serene quality.
Where to dine in Monte Carlo
One of the highlights of the trip was dinner at L’Abysse Monte-Carlo. We sat at the sushi counter, which made the evening feel especially intimate and immersive. From that vantage point, we were able to watch each piece being prepared with extraordinary focus and precision.
There is something captivating about dining at a sushi counter. Every movement becomes part of the experience, from the careful handling of the fish to the final placement of each detail. At L’Abysse, the meal unfolded gradually, one beautifully composed bite at a time. Sitting so close to the chefs made it feel less like a traditional dinner and more like a performance, though one defined by restraint, craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The atmosphere was calm and refined, allowing the ingredients and technique to take center stage. Each course felt deliberate, and the counter seating created a connection to the process that I would not have experienced from a regular table. It was an elegant, memorable evening and a wonderful contrast to the bright, sun-filled days at the hotel.
Our dinner at Pavyllon Monte-Carlo had an entirely different energy, but it was just as memorable. We sat outside on the terrace on what felt like the perfect summer evening. The air was warm, the light was soft and the setting captured everything I love about dining on the Riviera.
The evening began with the champagne cart, which was perfection. There is something undeniably celebratory about having a cart arrive at the table and choosing a glass of champagne to begin the night. It immediately set the mood: glamorous, playful and effortlessly chic.
From there, dinner unfolded against the backdrop of Monte-Carlo as the sky slowly changed color. The terrace felt lively without losing its sense of intimacy, and the entire experience had that rare quality of feeling both elevated and completely relaxed.
And each night, after dinner, we ended up at Café de Paris for a little people-watching. It became our unofficial evening ritual. We would settle in, order a drink and watch Monte-Carlo glide past us in a parade of evening gowns, tailored jackets, sports cars and late-night arrivals. It was glamorous, theatrical and endlessly entertaining—the perfect way to stretch the night a little longer.
What I loved most about the stay was the balance between each experience. Monte-Carlo Bay offered peaceful mornings and beautiful beach views. L’Abysse brought precision, artistry and the intimacy of the sushi counter. Pavyllon delivered the romance of a Riviera summer evening, complete with champagne and dinner on the terrace. Café de Paris added one final layer: the unmistakable spectacle of Monaco after dark.
Together, they captured two sides of Monaco: its quiet, coastal beauty and its unmistakable sense of glamour. It was the kind of stay that felt polished without being overly formal, luxurious without losing its warmth, and memorable in all the right ways.
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