Hospitality Today Winter 2020 (#40) | Page 15

hospitalitytoday.com | 15 for the 21st century the founder François Blanc’s dream of “a hotel that surpasses everything”. The hotel has 209 rooms and suites, eight meeting and banqueting rooms from 29 to 494m2 including a listed 5381 sq.ft reception room that can host up to 464 people: the Empire Room, for very high-end events. The Hotel de Paris wine cellars are home to some 350,000 bottles of revered wines. The cellars can host certain corporate events for small groups of around 40. The other side of the Hotel de Paris from the casino – and with its extravagant art nouveau façade dominating the harbour – sits its sister hotel, the Hermitage. Also a five star “grand luxe” hotel of the old school, the Hermitage is the best place from which to watch the Grand Prix, as it has the terraces and balconies with the best trackside views. Meeting and event rooms include the spectacular gilded ballroom. The Hermitage has 278 rooms and suites, and can host events of up to 400 people. There is a dedicated group entrance, where delegates can be greeted and checked in under a dome designed by Gustave Eiffel. The 14 meeting and banqueting rooms can host all types of events ranging from six in the Bouderie salon, to 400 in the Salle Belle Epoque (listed historical monument). There are also convertible spaces such as the huge Salle Eiffel (3,336 sq.ft). Both the Hermitage and Hotel de Paris have direct access to the Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo. In addition to its salt-water swimming pool, its sauna and steam room, this spa, which is one of the finest in Europe, can offer half day or one-day treatment formulas for groups. The 333 room Monte Carlo Bay Hotel was opened by SBM in 2005. Just a few minutes from Place du Casino, built in 2005 on a private peninsular, it opens onto a lush four-hectare ga rden with a sandy-bottomed lagoon. It has hosted over 2,000 product launches, large conventions, incentives and meetings. Not only does it have the ideal infrastructure (special group entrance, heliport, a business center etc.), but also a skilled team because business tourism represents over 40% of room nights spent here. The meeting and banqueting rooms are on the ground floor and first floor, most with sea or mountain views. All have day light. The Salle America on the ground floor is the largest room. With 3,831 sq.ft, it can accommodate 340 people in a theatre arrangement and has a terrace and direct access to the garden. SBM is committed to the environment and sustainable development. Five SBM establishments are Green Globe certified, of which two received Gold level in June 2018.