When you think of Monaco, a few things come to mind: superyachts, the Grand Prix, Grace Kelly, and the Fairmont Monte Carlo. The latter, a sprawling waterfront icon opened by Princess Grace herself in 1975, has just completed a top-to-bottom transformation to celebrate its 50th anniversary - and in true Riviera fashion, it’s more opulent, more refined, and more relevant than ever.
The hotel’s sweeping renovation touches every facet of the property, from its cream-and-blue-hued guest rooms to its sea-facing rooftop restaurants. It’s a carefully choreographed facelift. Think Jane Fonda, not filler - that manages to modernise without betraying the building’s unapologetically glamorous bones. The makeover isn’t just about aesthetics, either. It’s about legacy. And Fairmont Monte Carlo, which has been a front-row spectator to half a century of Monaco’s evolution, isn’t interested in simply keeping up, it’s determined to lead.
Let’s start with the rooms. In a market flooded with minimalist luxury, Fairmont’s updated suites are quietly lush. Soft oceanic tones, plush textiles, and private terraces that lean into that view. Whether you’re gazing over the sea, the garden, or the Grand Prix hairpin turn, it will remind you why Monaco was always meant to be seen from above, cocktail in hand. Families haven’t been forgotten either. New Resort Suites offer kitchens, spacious living areas, and panoramic terraces, in case you decide to stay the entire summer. Or year.
Naturally, no Riviera renovation is complete without reimagining the dining. Enter Amù Monte Carlo, the hotel’s new rooftop restaurant named after the Monégasque word for “love.” Here, Riviera romance is plated up Mediterranean-style, alongside the kind of sea view that makes you consider deleting your return flight. Just above, Amù by the Pool keeps the energy breezy, with casual dishes, cocktails, and the kind of lounge seating that invites long lunches and later-than-intended departures.
Nobu Monte Carlo, arguably the crown jewel of the Fairmont’s culinary offering and a global magnet for A-listers and loyalists, has also undergone a design update. The refreshed interiors are warm and wood-toned, subtly blending Japanese craftsmanship with coastal elegance. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t need to be. That’s the point.
And because Monaco is, at its core, about never missing a beat, the Fairmont’s Lobby Lounge has been given the serenity treatment. Think soft lighting, sleek furniture, and round-the-clock service offering both classic fare and contemporary cocktails, all framed by uninterrupted Mediterranean blues.
For the event-inclined, or perhaps just the well-connected, the hotel’s Le Grand Salon has been rebuilt with the kind of scale and tech that makes it equally suitable for an intimate wedding or a 1500-person conference where someone might unveil a superyacht or a crypto coin (possibly both).
But the biggest surprise in Fairmont Monte Carlo’s glamorous glow-up? It’s what’s happening behind the scenes. The hotel has tapped into Monaco’s thalassothermal network - yes, that's a sustainable energy loop powered by seawater to heat and cool its buildings. A historic pumping station was overhauled to triple its capacity, now serving ten major structures and cutting 2,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. It’s the kind of sustainability initiative that feels almost radical in a place best known for diamond-studded watches and midnight G-Wagen traffic. But that’s the new Monaco. And Fairmont, fittingly, is leading the charge.
At 50, the Fairmont Monte Carlo is no longer the new kid on the block. But in a region obsessed with youth, speed, and excess, the hotel has pulled off something quietly subversive: it’s made longevity look like the ultimate luxury.
