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History

 
 

With the Roaring Twenties getting into their stride, René Léon, Administrator of the Société des Bains de Mer, wanted to offer clientèle new distractions and decided to build a hotel right on the water’s edge: the Monte-Carlo Beach.

He entrusted the building’s construction to the architect Roger Seassal (winner of the Rome Prize in 1913). In 1929, Elsa Maxwell, then in charge of external relations, invited members of high society, with the result that the hotel was a resounding success from the very beginning!

 

A real queen on the society scene, Elsa Maxwell began to look for an extravagant project: a palatial hotel with a beach of artificial sand “as lovely as those of the Lido in Venice or Palm Beach”. The SBM preferred to build an Olympic-size swimming pool, just a few metres from the sea.

 

Seventy years later, the Monte-Carlo Beach was completely renovated. It involved a great deal of effort, as the hotel stands on a listed site. No more floors could be added, so the rock had to be hollowed out in order to enlarge the rooms, which required an investment of 51 million francs. The façade remained intact to respect the beauty of the scenery. This establishment with its Californian atmosphere continued to draw people from all over the world, politicians, businessmen, artists and sports personalities who came in search of an ambiance rather like an eternal Garden of Eden, known to Italians as “La Dolce Vita”.

The Roaring Twenties

The 1920s were definitely crazy. High society, which had established its winter quarters on the Riviera for almost a century, suddenly discovered a passion for the summer sun. It was bye-bye to the umbrellas as the parasols swept in!

 

From one summer to the next, this euphoria continued to grow.

As soon as it opened in 1929, the Monte-Carlo Beach, which recalled the style of palatial hotels in Florida, represented a new venue of real prestige for Monte-Carlo. The hotel was behind Monaco’s success as a summer resort thanks to the quality of its amenities and the appeal of its memorable fancy dress parties. Monte-Carlo then offered summer vacationers its new seafront, while Larvotto Beach welcomed its first bathers. Tennis was given a special place of honour in 1928, with the creation of the Monte-Carlo Country Club.

La Renaissance

The return of the Riviera Style! A dreamy vision of the Mediterranean as it appeared eight decades ago when the Monte-Carlo Beach opened its doors. A rediscovery of a new eden in azure or navy blue, sunny yellow and passionate red, symbols of a life totally oriented towards authentic luxury and a real sense of celebration.

 

Thanks to the creativity of India Mahdavi, the new Monte-Carlo Beach has been given a contemporary make-over. A remarkable place to live, inspired by the glamour of those Roaring Twenties it exudes a spirit of the great Mediterranean residences, combining the beauty of its site with the natural elegance of an inimitable way of life. Henceforth an essential port-of-call, 10 months out of 12, ranking among the great legendary hotels and luxury resorts.