Simply Abu Dhabi XXXIV

7 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I I n the centre of Monaco, the area around Place du Casino has undergone a huge transformation, giving rise to a newMonte Carlo – with the world-renowned, iconic Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo at its heart. This metamorphosis is aimed at giving an even greater sense of definition to François Blanc’s dream of “a hotel that surpasses everything created up to now” and of perpetuating the legend in the 21st century. A magical hotel at the forefront of the luxury hotel sector Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo was built in 1864 on the arid Plateau des Spélugues, when Monte-Carlo was barely taking shape. Thanks to support from Prince Charles III and Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer et du Cercle des Etrangers, the billionaire François Blanc took a big gamble and decided to entirely change an area of the city covered in olive trees and lemon trees into a spectacular venue of luxury – the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, for travellers from all over to discover the new face of the principality. Showcasing affluence in all its splendour, the hotel attracted international elite – kings, princes, heads of state, ministers, and leaders of industry, science and the arts. In many ways, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo established the foundations of the “resort concept”. Over the years, it has been modernised on numerous occasions to meet the demands of the international clientele. In 1909, the hotel was entirely renovated, when the architectural style of the Belle Epoque was adopted in Monte-Carlo. From its renovation to its extraordinary history, its life has been marked by visits of countless VIPs, world-renowned artists and celebrities, from the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII), Alexandre Dumas, Jacques Offenbach andWinston Churchill, to James Bond (where the cast of Golden Eye stayed) and artists and stars of the stage and screen – including Sarah Bernhardt, Charlie Chaplin, Maria Callas and Salvador Dali. During the 1950s, the eyes of the world were on the Princely Couple, Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, and to this day for many people, the Principality of Monaco is synonymous with the dashing prince and his stunning bride. The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo soon became a favourite venue for the princess, and her serene beauty still infuses the atmosphere. Today, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo continues to be admired by guests from all over the world and bears witness to a lifestyle that harmoniously combines tradition and contemporaneity. Now, it is writing a new page in its history, with the renovation of its interior spaces and bedrooms, the creation of two exceptional suites and the launch of ÔMER – the new restaurant by Alain Ducasse. An iconic palace The first part of the metamorphosis of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo was its exalted architecture, with a façade that regains its Belle Epoque spirit from 1909. The hotel’s timeless feeling is preserved and enhanced by a contemporary design by the architects, Richard Martinet and Gabriel Viora, who put themselves at the service of the building. A monumental porch now decorates the hotel’s entrance, along with a new lift, of which the decorative railing has been reused from an earlier lift in the lobby, adding a touch of modernity, while giving a second life to historic features that capture the hotel’s soul.