HOTEL DE PARIS MONTE-CARLO

A LEGENDARY HOTEL WHERE EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE & EVERYTHING is So Couture

By Farouk CHEKOUFI

Synonymous throughout the world with prestige and luxury tourism, the Société des Bains de Mer offers in Monte-Carlo the best leisure establishments in the Principality: 5 casinos, 4 luxury hotels and top quality hotels (Hôtel de Paris, Hôtel Hermitage, Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort), 30 restaurants and bars, the Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo – one of Europe’s finest spas and thalassotherapy centres, a Cabaret and the legendary Salle des Etoiles, a night club, the famous Jimmy'z,

In the very heart of the resort : the Hôtel de Paris

Magnificently magical. More than one hundred years old, an everlasting symbol of all things prestigious since its inauguration in 1864, of exquisite luxury and courtesy in Monte-Carlo, this splendid hotel has never become frozen in its own legend, its gilding and its marble. Whilst its perfectly preserved Belle Epoque architecture is greatly admired by guests, it is young at heart and offers a very contemporary way of life, taking part in the dazzling life of the Principality. Exuding an enchanting way of life taking into consideration the desires of each and every guest, from the famous to the anonymous, the Hôtel de Paris combines the very best of tradition with the subtlest modernity. Capable, if asked, to be an accomplice, with extraordinary taste, to impossible extravagances, to think up within a few hours the most magical festivities, to have a jazzy or techno heart one day, and a sumptuously baroque heart the next, knowing how to respect the much loved peace and quiet of the great and the good, the Hôtel de Paris is a palatial hotel where everything is possible. A magical place of dreams and made-to-measure sojourns, where gourmets can enjoy “Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse”, one of the world’s finest restaurants. A luxurious hotel in the heart of a European capital overlooking the Mediterranean, adjacent to an opera house built by Charles Garnier and a renowned casino. A luxury establishment which grows its own vegetables in its garden, organises great dinners in its historic cellars, and sees cars race past its front door during the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, and can in a single evening see itself covered in roses, invent a New Year’s party in its lobby, or witness an unplanned and triumphant match between tennis stars Roger Federer and Rafaël Nadal. The Hôtel de Paris is unique, the Société des Bains de Mer’s showpiece, a permanent witness to its history and development. It plays a central role in all the great festivities that are such an integral part of the marvellously glamorous Principality. Standing majestically in the very heart of the Place du Casino, opposite the Café de Paris and the legendary Casino – a fine example of Belle Epoque architecture, famous throughout the world for its magnificence and its incredible choice of table games. Its soul, style, refined luxury, privileged situation between the Italian and French Rivieras, its ever loyal staff who have witnessed its finest hours, and its clientele, make up its fascinating and unusual identity.

The Hôtel de Paris was completed in 1864 on the arid Spélugues plateau at a time when Monte-Carlo was just beginning to take shape. Everyone was talking about the brand new and splendid Casino Belle Epoque opposite it. Thanks to the support of Prince Charles III, and that of the Société des Bains de Mer et du Cercle des Etrangers, the millionaire François Blanc took on an incredible challenge… to transform land where only olive and lemon trees grew into a place for sumptuous festivities and luxury gaming, The results went beyond his wildest dreams. To accommodate the gamblers who flocked from all over Europe to discover the new face of the Principality, he built a hotel based on the Grand Hôtel on the boulevard des Capucines in Paris — “a hotel better than anything ever created before”. People came in droves. The international elite turned up, kings, princes, heads of state, ministers, top names from governances, industry, the sciences and the arts. It was the start of the great social whirl at the Hôtel de Paris.

ITINERARY OF A SUBLIME HOTEL

On the Place du Casino, opposite the entrance to the Hôtel de Paris, the car valets appear to perform a ballet as they park the prestigious automobiles. The tone is set. Up a few steps, a few strides, and visitors arrive in the great lobby with its majestic ceilings that never fail to stir emotions. The equestrian statue of Louis XIV has a very shiny knee because of an old tradition… gamblers believe that rubbing its knee will bring them good luck. To the right, the entrance to the celebrated restaurant “Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse”, on the left the famous Bar Américain where the Monaco elite gather, a little further on are the entrances to the Salle Empire and other salons, the luxury boutiques are at the end, the reception desk and concierge service are opposite. First contact, first smiles, attentiveness and immediate efficiency, the extremely courteous welcome from the director who makes a point of greeting all guests, in particular those on their first visit to the Hôtel de Paris. The magic works, the Hôtel de Paris is like a great symphony orchestra playing only for you. A member of the “Leading Hotels of the World”, rewarded time and time again for its service and prestige*, this emblematic luxury hotel boasts 182 rooms, including 74 junior-suites and suites and two Monte-Carlo Diamond Suites (the Winston Churchill and the Charles Garnier). Fine furniture, designer fabrics, gorgeous bathrooms, state-of-the-art equipment… exquisite luxury. The room service, as remarkable as all services here, enables clients to enjoy a sojourn in this luxury establishment in the most perfect way possible.

MONTE-CARLO DIAMOND SUITES

The “Charles Garnier” apartment boasts a 90m• terrace

An expression of classic luxury, this airy light apartment can be transformed into a double 120m² suite – described as “presidential”. A delicate shade of blue, refined woodwork, subtle harmonies and an intelligent layout, the ambiance is so cosy that one imagines it to have been created just for oneself. The view from its immense terrace is unique in the world. It looks over the legendary Place du Casino which, as night falls, takes on a fairytale appearance. The icing on the cake… the Charles Garnier apartment affords fabulous views for Formula One aficionados who can enjoy the world’s most spectacular race in truly fantastic conditions. Champagne for everyone!

Winston Churchill

A frequent guest at the Hôtel de Paris, the British Prime Minister brought with him rare furniture and objects dear to him. These have all been preserved and are displayed in the 210m² apartment named in his honour. Its design is resolutely contemporary which is what makes it so different from the Charles Garnier apartment. You only have to take a look at the bathroom to understand that all things exceptional are very much the norm at the Hôtel de Paris. Situated on the top floor, it boasts a private entrance.

Incredible but true

The rare visitors lucky enough to see the impressive Hôtel de Paris kitchens are left in awe. The army of kitchen staff set to work almost at first light. Everything is made here, chocolates, pastries, some ten different breads (tabatière, cornbread, olive bread, fougasse, spelt bread…).

WELL-BEING PAR EXCELLENCE

It isn’t a classic spa that the Hôtel de Paris proposes to its clients but The Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo — one of the finest, biggest and most efficient thalassotherapy centres and spas in Europe. Covering 6600m², built on four floors facing the sea, swathed in natural light, it offers the very best of contemporary thalassotherapy and exclusive treatments in the most delightful surroundings. The quest for Excellence has produced two new programmes : montecarlothalasso and montecarlospa. montecarlothalasso is a unique and original offer combining the quality of results from a selection of individual personalised treatments with cultural, artistic, sports and events diversity: the balance of the mind and the body. Aside thalassotherapy treatments, montecarlospa is a new and seductive spa definition enabling guests to make the most of their stay at the Hôtel de Paris (or in another of the Société des Bains de Mer’s prestigious hotels) with a little pampering, finding one’s balance, one’s harmony and one’s well-being. Montecarlospa proposes to perfection the true meaning of top quality spa treatments allowing SBM guests to rid themselves of stress and pressure so that they can enjoy all that is on offer in Monte-Carlo and take part in the daily cultural and festive activities. The Olympic and world swimming champion Laure Manaudou is so fond of the place that she has chosen the spa to keep fit and prepare for her competitions. Whether they choose the montecarlothalasso programme, a treatment or an aquafitness session, guests at the Hôtel de Paris have direct access to the Thermes

Marins de Monte-Carlo.

DID YOU KNOW…?

• Since autumn 1998, the uniforms worn by reception staff at the Hôtel de Paris have been designed by Karl Lagerfeld

• During the renovation work in the Salle Empire, the Hôtel de Paris organised its New Year Eve party in the lobby. A truly unforgettable experience for the amazed guests.

• Guests at the Hôtel de Paris can enjoy the balmy Riviera nights in a fairytale setting on one of the five majestic terraces (Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse, Salle Empire, Côte Jardin, and the Winston Churchill and Charles Garnier apartments).

• Movie news: Eroll Flynn invited everyone who was anyone in Hollywood to his wedding in the Salle Empire, and the Hôtel de Paris was the setting for Golden Eye starring Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. The Hôtel de Paris is featured in TV films and series.

• Before trying their luck at the Casino, many superstitious gamblers rubbed the knee of the Louis XIV equestrian statue in the entrance hall of the Hôtel de Paris. The tradition is still going strong…

• The principal car valet at the Hôtel de Paris who reigns supreme over the 100 or so superb automobiles each day is an opera tenor.

• The Hôtel de Paris is one of the rare luxury hotels in the world to maintain the doorkeeper tradition.

• Champagne flows easily at the Bar Américain where 20.000 bottles are served each year.

LA PRAIRIE, ZOOM BEAUTÉ A L’HOTEL DE PARIS,

In exclusive Partnership in MONTE CARLO

June 2008, LA PRAIRIE and the Hotel of PARIS present luxury beauty events in a very haute couture version.

Always exclusive, LA PRAIRIE THE ART OF BEAUTY invites you to the Marine Thermal baths & the Hotel of Paris with a sinfully special product, especially developed for the venue: the MONTE CARLO SEA LUXURY product.

This divine skincare uses the LA PRAIRIE product range for the body, rich in beneficial extracts of marine origin marine.

Ultra luxury beauty care exclusively at the Marine Thermal baths at the Hotel of Paris.

Still utterly exclusive, LA PRAIRIE welcome products are presented in all the rooms and suites of the Hotel of PARIS in July 2008.

LA PRAIRIE and the Hotel of PARIS, famous for their exceptional service, offer their guests the quintessential skincare of LA PRAIRIE, a way of communicating their unique message of very cellular and haute couture luxury.

Address:

Hôtel de Paris

Place du Casino

MC 98000 Principauté de Monaco

Tel: + 377 98 06 30 00

Fax: + 377 98 06 59 13

www.hoteldeparismontecarlo.com