The chilly winter month of January is warmed by a landmark event at the Hotel de Paris. The Princess Grace suite, the pearl in the crown of the four year renovation, has a companion. Not just any companion. It is the ultimate royal finishing touch to this regal hotel – a suite baptized with the name Prince Rainier III.
A crown should be at the pinnacle towers at the rooftops – and so it is. This glorious and immense 600 square metre suite towers above Casino square with sweeping views of the Mediterranean.
It is as if the Builder Prince still reigns spiritually over his lifetime’s achievements.
Who has the stature to inaugurate this honour to Prince Rainier. It can be none other than his son Prince Albert accompanied by Princess Stephanie. Children honouring their father with the finest suite in the Principality with the finest position in the Principality – Casino square and Salle Garnier paying tribute from below.
No sooner had their New Year celebrations completed, up to a hundred artisans and their teams had a single focus in January. It was to put the final touches on the suite for the Royal inauguration planned for the end of the month. No doubt SBM were on tenterhooks. January is the month of devotion to Sainte Devote, patron saint of Monaco. And joining the flames skywards from the ritual burning of the boat, there were no doubt indeed a few prayers that the Sovereign would be pleased with his inaugural visit.
How to integrate a suite with contemporary styling into the classic architecture of the the old classic lady – the Hotel de Paris. Richard Martinet, the architect rose to this challenge, helped by the fact there is nothing more classic than Prince Rainier III’s own possessions.
The bright internal decor of the expansive contemporary apartment, accentuated with touches of light blue, is softened with possessions of Prince Rainier: photos, portraits and sculptures; even some favourites in cast iron.
Priced reportedly in the range of 45.000 euros a night, privileged guests roam down a corridor bathed in light to be treated to two spectacular bedrooms separated by a dining room, a study and an immense lounge fitted with its own library. Everything is reached off this light corridor.
And when Salle Garnier and the Mediterranean are your closest neighbours, then a 130 sq metre teak terrace is almost obligatory with views to the horizon opening up from the infinity swimming pool that borders the terrace. Almost unnecessary to mention the luxury accoutrements like a spa-sauna.
Two jewels in the Crown of that grand dame – the Hotel de Paris – now fittingly adorn it. Facing the bay with view of the Rock, home to the Royal Palace, is the Princess Grace duplex suite. 900 square metres of luxury inaugurated in 2017 within the heights of the Rotund wing of the hotel. Facing Casino square and the twin-riviera Mediterranean views is Suite Prince Rainier III – where you can dine feeling you are in the company of Prince Rainier and his son Prince Albert, illuminated in an oil painting. Gaze upon the Mediterranean or gaze upon Royalty as you wish.
