Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo: our review of the Belle Époque palace with the Eiffel glass roof

More discreet than its elder sibling on Casino Square, the Hôtel Hermitage draws those who prefer conversation to spectacle. Opened in 1900 and classified as a listed monument, the palace retains its Eiffel glass-roofed winter garden, one of the finest examples of metal architecture from the turn of the twentieth century, still in daily use for breakfasts and afternoon teas.

Rates are noticeably lower than those of the neighbouring Hôtel de Paris for an equivalent standard of service and full access to the Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo. For those who know the Principality well, this is often the preferred palace for longer stays.

The Hermitage is the only hotel address in Monaco to preserve a work signed by Gustave Eiffel: its winter garden glass roof, installed in 1899, is a listed monument. It is beneath this airy metal structure that breakfast is served each morning and afternoon tea at 4 pm, one of the most beautiful in Europe.

The exterior architecture (pale pink façade, wrought-iron balconies, sculpted pediment) is typical of the Monegasque turn-of-the-century style. Inside: polychrome marbles, frescoes painted by Gustave-Louis Jaulmes, statues, Sèvres vases. The 2018 renovation carried out by SBM respected each and every one of these elements.

Of 277 rooms and suites, nearly half feature a balcony with views over Monaco harbour. Our Junior Suite Port View: 50 m², classic décor (chevron parquet, cream-toned fabrics, reinterpreted Louis XVI-style furniture), Calacatta marble bathroom. The bed linen in linen and Egyptian cotton is produced in SBM’s own workshops.

The Diamond and Excelsior Suites reach 160 m² with a panoramic terrace, a kitchenette for personalised room service, and dedicated access to the Thermes Marins. This is the format for extended summer stays.

On the rooftop, Le Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, located within the Hermitage, is led by chef Yannick Alléno, one of the greatest French chefs of his generation (★ Michelin). The cuisine plays on contrasts between Parisian refinement and Mediterranean produce, in a dining room that opens onto the Bay of Monaco. The atmosphere is more relaxed than the starred tables at the neighbouring Hôtel de Paris, which is precisely why guests linger.

The Hermitage is the palace for those who have already done the Hôtel de Paris and are looking for the same quality in a quieter atmosphere. It is often the favourite address of true connoisseurs of the Principality.

Independent review: rating established by the La Revue des Hôtels editorial team based on a visit, on-site observations and internal comparisons within the Monegasque palace segment. Images are editorial illustrations.