EVENT
I have loved this event since I was a child. The first race took place in 1929 on the Circuit de Monaco; 85 years on, it has become such an important event for the principality. The event is held each year in May (this year’s event runs from May 22-25) and, as the track cuts through nearly two-thirds of the principality, it really involves everyone. The unique thing about the Monaco Grand Prix is that the track is right in the town, so when the race finishes everything you need is here — it makes it easy to celebrate and see the sights.
AMBIANCE
When the practice sessions begin on Thursday, it’s a little bit quiet. From Friday night to Sunday when the race finishes, it goes crazy — it’s during this time that all the major events of the Grand Prix take place. At the end of each racing day, the track opens and it’s very lively. There’s a party in every restaurant and bar, and all our hotel terraces are heaving with revellers and champagne. The atmosphere is different for those four days in Monaco compared to the other 361 in the year.
RUB SHOULDERS WITH
You’ll usually see a lot of film stars and sports stars arriving with the jet set for the event, such as [American basketball legend] Magic Johnson and tennis champion, Novak Djokovic. We even have stars of the fashion world at the event — Karl Lagerfeld is a citizen of Monaco, so he is always around.
AFTER DARK
We have two very famous spots for afterparties. After the race finishes, people go to the Sea Lounge at the Monte-Carlo Beach Club from around six o’clock and stay there until two or three in the morning. And at Jimmy’z Sporting Monte-Carlo we have the gala dinner held in the Salle des Étoiles, then at midnight everyone goes to the disco to mingle and celebrate with the drivers and their teams.
DINE
We love food in Monaco and we have three great Michelin-starred restaurants: Le Louis XV; Elsa, where you enjoy terrace dining; and Le Vistamar. For a more lively atmosphere, there’s Buddah-Bar, and Casino Café de Paris on Place du Casino, which always gets busy.
STAY
At Hôtel Hermitage, you can stay and enjoy the Paddock Lounge, which will exist for the duration of the event. We transform the Salle Belle Epoque banquet room into a lounge with couches, a bar, buffets and a giant screen from which to watch the race. There’s also driving simulators and a training machine used by the drivers, so you can experience what they do before and during the race. Of course, we also have our VIP terraces from which you can watch the race and enjoy a glass of champagne.
MUST DO
Go to the practice days. They are quiet but very interesting, as you can go into any of the stands along the track at a discounted rate. Stay a little while after the event to see Monte-Carlo, as the track blocks access to many things and it isn’t a convenient time to sight-see. If you can’t extend your stay, places in the quieter parts such as Old Town and the Musée Océanographie de Monaco are nice to visit.
May 6, 2014
VIP: Grand Prix de Monaco
by Pascal Camia
Pascal Camia, GM of Hôtel Hermitage and Formula One aficionado, tells us how to enjoy the Grand Prix in style