The legend surrounding the Monte-Carlo Beach hotel is second to none, steeped in a glamorous history that stretches back nearly a century. Stories of cultural icons like Marlene Dietrich spending her holidays here shortly after its opening in the 1920s, or the late Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld shooting iconic campaigns with Helmut Newton on its sun-drenched premises, have kept the hotel’s myth vibrantly alive through the decades. The moment you step past the threshold into the sleek white lobby, you are immediately met with a palpable sense of architectural and social gravitas. It is an atmosphere that inspires guests to carry themselves differently, to slow down their pace, and to fully indulge in the timeless, sun-kissed pleasures of the French Riviera.
Yet, this storied property, now expertly operated by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, refuses to rely purely on its illustrious past to maintain its cultural relevance in the modern luxury landscape. In recent years, the institution has embarked on a thoughtful journey of reinvention, bringing together some of the most exciting and dynamic creative names from the worlds of architecture, fine dining, and contemporary fashion. Their collective mission has been to reimagine what a contemporary luxury institution should look, feel, and taste like for a discerning new generation of travelers, while fiercely protecting the unique spirit that made the destination famous in the first place.
This dialogue between past and present is visible across the property. Famed architect and designer India Mahdavi refreshed the hotel’s interiors, introducing a sophisticated design vocabulary that honors the coastal environment. You can find her signature touches everywhere you look throughout the estate, from the striking terracotta balconies that frame the Mediterranean views to the meticulously crafted rattan chairs that invite lingering conversations at the terrace restaurant Le Deck. Meanwhile, Provençal designer Simon Porte Jacquemus has brought a playful, distinctly modern coastal energy to the shoreline, dressing the sunloungers on the institution’s famous beach pier in his iconic, charming stripes, creating a visual harmony between high fashion and relaxed seaside leisure.
Beyond its striking aesthetic updates, the hotel functions as a vibrant, year-round culinary destination. Its diverse dining options cater to every mood and moment, ranging from casual crepe stands on the beach during the sunnier months of the year to Greek-inspired meze served in an atmospheric setting at the restaurant Maona Monte-Carlo. For a more classic daytime experience, Le Deck offers wholesome, beautifully executed dishes that can be enjoyed while taking in sweeping, uninterrupted views of the hotel’s magnificent Olympic-sized pool, a historic focal point of Monegasque summer culture.
Among these gastronomic offerings, La Vigie Zanoni Monte-Carlo has emerged as one of the most exciting new arrivals on the Riviera culinary scene. For this ambitious project, acclaimed chef Simone Zanoni has taken over the hotel’s ultimate crown jewel: a spectacular dining venue perched dramatically on a private peninsula that juts out over the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Directly above this prized culinary outpost sits Villa La Vigie, a magnificent private home that once belonged to the late Karl Lagerfeld and is today available for select guests to book, adding yet another layer of exclusive historical continuity to the experience.
The journey to the restaurant sets the tone for the entire evening. Guests take a short, atmospheric walk through a narrow pathway framed by fragrant pine trees, a transition that immediately quiets the mind and shifts the mood from the bustle of the coast to a secluded sanctuary.
"La Vigie has something very special. It’s elegant but relaxed at the same time—people come here to enjoy life. That’s exactly the kind of place where I love to cook," says Simone Zanoni, a culinary master who is also renowned for his work at Le George in Paris and La Mamounia in Marrakesh.
For the chef, the carefully curated menu at La Vigie is all about seamlessly melding the sophisticated techniques of French cuisine with his own deep-seated Italian roots. The culinary philosophy here is intensely focused on the highest quality ingredients, championing fresh fish sourced from local waters, colorful seasonal vegetables, and hearty, comforting dishes. Among the offerings, the seafood paccheri and the rich, perfectly balanced risotto have quickly become signature dishes that keep diners returning.
"For me, it’s very simple: you need great olive oil, beautiful tomatoes, fresh basil, lemons, seasonal vegetables, fresh fish and, of course, good pasta," Zanoni adds, outlining his straightforward philosophy on gastronomy. "When the ingredients are exceptional, you don’t need to complicate things."
To fully appreciate the culinary experience at La Vigie, Zanoni recommends beginning the meal with a classic spritz before transitioning smoothly to a chilled wine, noting that a crisp white or a light, elegant rosé pairs effortlessly with the coastal menu. Diners are also encouraged to embrace the communal spirit of Mediterranean dining by ordering sharing plates. Particular highlights include the figliata—a giant, exceptionally creamy mozzarella that serves as an ideal, indulgent starter—concluding with a traditional fior di latte gelato for dessert, perfectly capturing the sweet, uncomplicated joy of a Riviera summer.
