Same entry rate. Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort has a sand-bottomed summer lagoon pool in four hectares of gardens, 23 minutes on foot from the casino, for families staying put; Fairmont Monte Carlo is five minutes from it, with a rooftop pool on the Grand Prix hairpin, for race week.
The resortThe resort answer to Monaco: lagoon pool, gardens, a two-star restaurant and no need to go out.
€€€From about €250 a night
Choose Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort if
The catch
Twenty-three minutes on foot from the casino square, along an uninspiring road.
The F1 oneSix hundred rooms on the Grand Prix hairpin. Big, busy and unbeatable for Monaco's central action.
€€€From about €250 a night
Choose Fairmont Monte Carlo if
The catch
Rooms and public areas vary; unrenovated categories feel dated for the price.
| Best for | Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort | Fairmont Monte Carlo |
|---|---|---|
| Best beach hotels in Monaco | On the list | Not on the list |
| Best family hotels in Monaco | On the list | On the list |
| Best spa hotels in Monaco | On the list | On the list |
| Best central hotels in Monaco | Not on the list | On the list |
| Best hotels for food and drink in Monaco | On the list | Not on the list |
Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & ResortFairmont Monte Carlo
Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort
Fairmont Monte Carlo
The verdict
Same entry rate. Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort has a sand-bottomed summer lagoon pool in four hectares of gardens, 23 minutes on foot from the casino, for families staying put; Fairmont Monte Carlo is five minutes from it, with a rooftop pool on the Grand Prix hairpin, for race week.
Questions people ask
Same entry rate. Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort has a sand-bottomed summer lagoon pool in four hectares of gardens, 23 minutes on foot from the casino, for families staying put; Fairmont Monte Carlo is five minutes from it, with a rooftop pool on the Grand Prix hairpin, for race week.
The right Monaco hotel for anyone who wants a resort holiday with the principality as a backdrop. Sea view or nothing. The one place in Monaco that behaves like a resort: lagoon pool, gardens, kids welcome, everything on site. You could stay three days and barely leave.
It has indoor and outdoor pools. A public beach is within walking distance.
For Grand Prix weekend or a central base with a rooftop pool, book it. For anything romantic, look further along this edit. Big, busy and right on the hairpin, with a rooftop pool over the sea. It runs on energy rather than charm, which is exactly the point in race week.
It has a rooftop pool. A public beach is within walking distance.