Few hotels in Monaco possess the quiet grandeur of Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. Perched above Port Hercule, which glitters below with superyachts gathered across the harbour like polished sculptures, it has the sort of presence that makes arriving feel deeply romantic. Belle Époque architecture, sweeping staircases, gilded details, soaring ceilings and that unmistakable Riviera light combine to create something closer to a grand private palace. It remains one of my favourite places in Monaco, where you can sleep like royalty, even if only for a night or two.
That sense of splendour is now entering a new chapter. Hôtel Hermitage has unveiled the latest phase of its transformation with celebrated interior architect Pierre-Yves Rochon, introducing newly redesigned rooms alongside ten exceptional Diamond Suites. At the pinnacle is the 386-square-metre sea-view Princière Diamond Suite, an extraordinary residence finished with Baccarat fittings, luminous white onyx, its own sauna and hammam. The Diamond Suite Duplex feels more like a private apartment suspended above Monaco, complete with a rooftop terrace and jacuzzi, while the 240-square-metre Presidential Diamond Suite frames sweeping views across Port Hercule towards the Prince’s Palace. The scale may be majestic, but it is the detail that makes the transformation so compelling, a contemporary interpretation of a palace with all the magic of Hermitage.
There is a new energy downstairs, too. Bar Gustave is the hotel’s latest arrival, an intimate cocktail bar conceived by Director Frank Carcamo and Head Bartender Julien Lecharpentier, who have spent eight years working together. Lecharpentier approaches spirits with the curiosity and precision of a sommelier, following each one from distillation to the final pour and building cocktails around provenance, character and technique. The result is elegant, beautiful and completely unpretentious.
Here, General Manager Guillaume Ranvier, the master of luxury and hospitality reveals his little luxuries…
The piece of art I would love to have hanging in my home is…
A Keith Haring. I love the energy, simplicity and optimism of his work.
My ultimate room service order is…
A glass of red Burgundy wine and club Sandwich, simple, less is more…
When I have absolutely nowhere to be, I…
Read. I love getting lost in the stories and experiences of people who have achieved great things and discovering what I can learn from them.
The people I feel most myself around are…
My oldest friends. The people I can tell absolutely anything to, without ever having to explain myself.
I can never resist collecting…
Football shirts. I’ve always been passionate about football, and every shirt has a story behind it.
The product I would panic if they discontinued is…
Good Italian pasta. I cook it often, and when you find the right one, you don’t want to compromise.
When something deserves celebrating, I…
Cook. I love going to the butcher, choosing something really good, finding the right wine and bringing everyone together around the table. For me, that’s the best kind of celebration.
The city I could return to a hundred times is…
Paris. It’s my hometown, and no matter how many times I return, there’s always something that feels new.
The meal I would travel across the world for is…
A great pasta alla carbonara in Italy. Simple, generous and done properly — it’s hard to beat.
My perfect Sunday morning looks like…
A gentle wake-up, then slipping out for a run at sunrise before everyone else is awake, then prepare breakfast for my children and spend the day with them, this is how I recharge.
@hotelhermitagemc | montecarlosbm.com
Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Square Beaumarchais, 98000 Monaco
