The prestigious annual Awards for excellence in Hotels, Resorts and Hospitality Management, whose jury met this month near Paris at the Chateau de Ferrieres have just been decided upon… Not surprisingly, The Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Group with its flagship world-class hotels was the favourite to win the Best Hotel Group in Europe award – and it did, with flying colours.
Not new to receiving the highest distinctions for each of its beautiful individual hotels, SBM this year received the ultimate accolade. Societe des Bains de Mer is without doubt and is now officially recognised as THE BEST HOTEL GROUP IN EUROPE.
This award recognises the group’s passion and excellence spanning 150 years in the luxury hotel, gastronomy, entertainment and wellness industry. It also acknowledges the group’s continuous effort to further develop and enhance its heritage, as evidenced by the ongoing transformation of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo included in the elite palaces in Monaco with the Hôtel Hermitage, the Monte-Carlo Beach and Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort.
The Hôtel de Paris is regularly listed in the best places to stay in the world, not least in the Conde Nast Traveller Gold List. It houses the ultimate in dining-room choices, including the Michelin 3-star Louis XV and Michelin-starred Le Grill, as well as the Le Bar Americain listed on World’s Best Bar selection. Films featuring the Hotel include Confessions of a Cheat (1936), The Red Shoes (1948), Iron Man 2 (2010), the James Bond films; Never Say Never Again (1983) and Golden Eye (1995) andMonte Carlo (2011).
SBM’s Hotel Hermitage is overlooking the Monaco Harbor and the Mediterranean . It is classified asa Monument.The magnificent spacious lobby has been designed by Gustave Eiffel.
Special mention for the Monte-Carlo Beach pool
The heated seawater mirror pool at the legendary Beach Club has received the “Best Hotel Swimming Pool in Europe” award. Equipped with elegant period diving platforms for those who like acrobatics, the Monte-Carlo Beach swimming pool has been an institution since 1928, and learning how to swim there has become a bona fide tradition. An Olympic-size pool with warm and ozone-filtered sea water in blue molten glass mosaic, one can even practice stand-up paddleboarding there!
This award is a major achievement for the Monte-Carlo Beach, a member of the world class Relais & Châteaux network. The exquisite hotel was recently renovated and made even more beautiful by architect and interior designer India Mahdavi.
Villégiature Awards: an impressive accomplishment
The Villégiature Awards recognises the best hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East via a jury of 24 distinguished journalists and correspondents.
These two Villégiature awards are added to Societie des Bains de Mer already long list of awards:
2009 “Best Spa in a hotel in Europe” for the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort;
2010 “Most Charming Hotel in Europe” for the Monte-Carlo Beach;
2012 “Best Interior Hotel Architecture in Europe” for the Monte-Carlo Beach;
“Grand Prix of the Best hotel in Europe” for the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo;
“Best Hotel Atmosphere in Europe” for the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo;
2016 “Best Spa in a hotel in Europe” for Hôtel Hermitage and the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo.
