Staying at the Hotel Port Palace in Monaco was a very pleasant experience. Its ideal location in the central Condamine district is its main asset. We could easily visit the Rock and Monte Carlo on foot! In this article, we present our stay and show you lots of photos so you can make up your own mind.
This review is completely independent, we stayed anonymously and paid our bill in full.
Why stay at the Port Palace?
The Port Palace Hotel is the ideal place to spend a memorable stay. In fact, we’ve listed it among the best hotels to stay at in Monaco. Here are three main reasons why you should choose to stay here:
- Location: this accommodation is ideally located in the central Condamine district. Close to the train station, it’s easy to visit Monte Carlo or the Rock, either on foot or by bus.
- Its restaurant: we really enjoyed the hotel’s restaurant. Called La Môme, it offers superb panoramic views of Port-Hercule and the Rocher, in a contemporary, chic setting.
- Room sizes: from 37m2 to 89m2. They are fully equipped with all the comforts you need for a relaxing and enjoyable stay.
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Is the Port Palace Hotel worth it? Our review
We think the Hotel Port Palace is a great option for an affordable stay in Monaco harbor. We really appreciated its location, which made it easy for us to visit the rest of the city. The rooms are comfortable and very spacious, especially the bathrooms, with shower and bathtub. The view of the harbor is also pleasant. However, if you’re looking for peace and quiet, we advise you to opt for another hotel, as yachts are often party venues. The soundproofing wasn’t good enough when we came, but major work is planned for the building.
Decoration and atmosphere
The Port Palace’s style is reminiscent of the 70s, but it will soon be renovated to make it more modern. The color yellow is the common thread running through the decor in both the public areas and the bedrooms. Rounded armchairs bring warmth to colder spaces. A few works of contemporary art adorn the floors.
Although we weren’t particularly taken with the decor of the reception area, we really liked that of the 6th floor. The floor where La Môme restaurant is located is indeed chic, with its checkerboard floor and contemporary furniture.
The room
Our room was classic, with clean lines typical of 70s furniture. The bright yellow and blue colors brought a cheerfulness to the room, as did the contemporary art paintings and elegant ceramics.
We found the following amenities in the room: minibar, hairdryer, laundry bag, slippers, bathrobe, safe and coffee maker. There was plenty to nibble on, with chips, cookies and wine. These products were displayed outside the minibar but were subject to a charge.
From our room, we could admire Port-Hercule and its yachts. A large bow window brought plenty of light into the room. The lounge area, with its very comfortable armchairs, was ideally set out in front.
See availability at Hotel Port Palace.
The bathroom
The bathroom was spacious and bright. It was well decorated, with elegant tiles in the shower area. It included a toilet and bidet, separated from the rest of the room by a sliding door.
We found quality hygiene products. There was Lanvin washing gel, shampoo, conditioner and hand and body cream. We also appreciated the fact that the hotel provided us with hydro-alcoholic gel.
The breakfast
Breakfast was served in the top-floor restaurant La Môme. A waiter seated us and served us the hot drink of our choice. We were then able to help ourselves directly from the buffet. Sweet products include pastries, pancakes, cakes and jars of honey, spreads and jam. We particularly liked the Parfum des Alpes yogurts.
Among the savoury products, you’ll find eggs, omelettes, ham, cheese, salads, but above all a wide variety of breads, which we really liked.
Equipment and common areas
The Port Palace Hotel has a small fitness room, but it was closed at the time of our stay. A meeting room can also be privatized. The uncluttered common areas include showcases with products for sale such as perfumery and jewelry.
The restoration
The restaurant features a rooftop terrace and a large indoor dining room. With its large picture windows, it offers a privileged view of the Rocher, which we made the most of even though it was raining! We were seduced by the restaurant’s elegant, contemporary atmosphere. It’s open every day from 12 to 2.30pm for lunch and from 7 to 11.30pm for dinner (and breakfast for hotel guests). The menu is diversified, with fish, grilled meats, sharing plates, pasta, risottos and a wide choice of desserts.
Port Palace also features a bar, located on the first floor next to reception. A lounge area, with sofas and armchairs, makes this space very cosy. It offers a wide choice of drinks. We were treated to a special decoration and a slice of quiche to celebrate the hotel’s 20th anniversary, just in time for our visit!
Practical information about the Hotel Port Palace in Monaco
Type
This hotel is an affordable 4-star establishment in the Principality.
See current offers at Port Palace.
Where the hotel is located
The Port Palace address is 17 Quai Jean-Charles-Rey, 98000 Monaco.
- Driving time from Paris: 9h40 (6h30 by train),
- Driving time from Lyon: 5h10,
- Driving time from Marseille: 2h50,
- Driving time from Cannes: 1h25,
- Driving time from Nice: 55min.
How to get there
To get to the Port Palace from other parts of Monaco, we recommend taking the bus. Lines 1, 2, 3 and 6 are just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel (Kennedy and/or Princesse Antoinette Gare stops). To plan your route and check traffic in real time, visit the official transport network website here. Choose to pay by contactless credit card or via the Monapass application. If you wish to pay in cash, the rate will be more expensive and you’ll need to top up!
You can also get to the hotel on foot, but you’ll need to be in good physical condition and have good walking shoes, as Monaco is built into the side of a cliff. Although there are public elevators to get from one road to another, they’re generally pretty slow, which is why we mostly took the stairs. To help you find your way around this densely populated city, we recommend downloading the city map here, which shows the location of escalators, public elevators and staircases. The walk from the SCNF station is flat and only 10 minutes from the Port Palace.
Cab fares are fixed. Whatever your journey, it will cost you €18! For more information, visit the official Monaco cab website here.
Parking
The hotel offers parking at a charge of €45 per day. Valet parking is available.
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- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
For people with reduced mobility
There are no special facilities for people with reduced mobility. However, there is an elevator to access the upper floors. For further information, please contact reception.
Is the Port Palace Hotel family-friendly?
Baby cots are available on request, but there are no family rooms or special facilities for families. It’s better to choose another hotel for a family stay. You can find more suitable hotels in our article on the best hotels in Monaco.
