The petite principality of Monaco holds a timeless allure for travellers the world over. Peppered throughout its two square-kilometres, visitors will find world-class hotels, luxury shopping, Michelin-star restaurants, museums and spas in this playground of glitz and glamour along the French Riviera.

At the heart of this prominent escarpment at the base of the Maritime Alps sits the diamond district of Monte Carlo. Home to the world-famous games centre of Place du Casino and the Opéra de Monte Carlo, the spring air is filled with roars of car engines as the world’s greatest Formula 1 drivers descend every May for the Monaco Grand Prix, bringing an influx of the rich and wealthy alongside fleets-upon-fleets of super yachts.

Embodying high-end living, is the 1864 Belle Époque palace, Hôtel de Paris Monte Carlo. Reopened in 2019 after a four-year Dhs1.03 billion (US$280 million) refurbishment, guests are greeted by a famed glass dome in the lobby and a colonnaded-garden courtyard, decorated with palm trees. Imagined by French interior designer Pierre-Yves Ronchon, 208 suites and rooms consist of panelled walls, Art Deco details and balconies overlooking the interior courtyard, or the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the casino and opera house.

For gourmands, there is the three-Michelin starred Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris that showcases classic Mediterranean dishes such as caviar with artichoke and sea anemone, and Quercy lamb with razor clam and capers. If you enjoy dinner served with incredible vistas, head to the 8th floor and pull up a chair at Le Grill for the likes of pigeon breast, Black Angus wood-fired beef and racks of lamb from Provence. Or for an evening of cocktails and smooth vocals, make a beeline for Bar Américain and soak up the vibes that have wooed the likes of Frank Sinatra, Edith Plaf, Charlie Chaplin and Lady Gaga. For grape connoisseurs, the hotel is home to the world’s largest wine cellar with more than 600,000 bottles in its collection.

When it’s time to slow down, there is the 75,000 square-foot Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo spa. Connected to the hotel by a tunnel, the gargantuan wellness venue spans four levels and features a heated saltwater pool, a hammam and a Jacuzzi overlooking the Prince’s Palace.

However, the pièce de resistance of this staggering palatial property comes in the form of the Prince Rainier III Suite. Paying tribute to the ‘Builder’ Prince of Monaco with a curated selection of the prince’s sculptures as well as paintings from his own collection, the 830 square-metre suite is appointed with two bedrooms, a large main lounge with a bar area, a smaller lounge, a library, a dining room and an office space. A split-level terrace measuring up to 135 square-metres, is where you can go for a dip in the infinity pool while soaking up the sights and sounds of Monaco.

The suite also comes complete with a dedicated team of private Les Clefs d'Or concierges, ready to satisfy any whim. Upon arrival, guests can expect to recieve a gift at the airport or heliport. And for the extra touch of opulence, suite guests can enjoy bespoke treatments at Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo during the winter, or a luxe beachfront tent on the much sought-after Monte-Carlo Beach in the summer.

The Prince Rainier III Suite is available upon request. Prices begin at Dhs239,800 (US$65,300) per night.

Montecarlosbm.com