Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort: our review of the SBM resort with the sandy lagoon pool

On the Pointe Sainte-Roman, at the Monaco-Roquebrune-Cap-Martin border, the Monte-Carlo Bay has broken away from the classic palace model. Opened in 2005 and owned by the Société des Bains de Mer, it was conceived as a resort for leisure stays: no Belle Époque, no hushed salons, but rooms opening onto the sea, a golden sandy beach (rare in the Principality), and an atmosphere suited to extended family stays.

For our review, we spent three nights in August. Verdict: it is the ideal compromise for those wishing to combine Monaco with a true resort holiday, without the price tag of the Hôtel de Paris.

The Bay’s standout feature is its lagoon: 4,000 m² of saltwater heated to 28°C twelve months a year, golden imported sand, palm trees, abundant sun loungers, a pool bar, a seasonal beach restaurant. It is the only private Monegasque beach of this scale, and the number-one reason to book for summer stays or family holidays.

Almost every room and suite looks out onto the lagoon or directly over the Mediterranean. Our 60 m² Sea View Suite featured a 12 m² terrace with a dining table, sun loungers and a 180-degree view over the Italian bay. Contemporary décor: pale wood, raw linen, midnight-blue accents. No Belle Époque marble, but a spacious bathroom with an Italian shower and blue mosaic tiles.

BLue Bay, the resort’s signature restaurant, is led by chef Marcel Ravin, who holds two Michelin stars (★★, with the second star earned in 2025). The cuisine blends Caribbean influences (the chef is from Martinique), Mediterranean flavours and creative flair: it is one of the most original dining experiences in the Principality, a world away from the classical cooking of the neighbouring SBM palaces. The dining room opens onto the lagoon, with harbour views and a relaxed atmosphere.

For lunch, Las Brisas (poolside) offers a simple menu: grilled fish, salads, fresh pasta. And Le Hideaway, open in summer on the beach, switches to an Iberian restaurant in the evening with a live DJ.

For our eligibility criterion (indoor pool or spa), the Bay ticks the box with its Spa Clarins & Myblend: treatment rooms, steam hammam, sauna, jacuzzi, panoramic fitness room, personalised wellness programmes. It is more contemporary and lighter in scope than the neighbouring Thermes Marins, but perfectly complete for rainy days or post-beach treatments.

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.