Monte-Carlo Beach, a historic retreat perched on the edge of the Mediterranean, has been reimagined through the creative lens of architect and designer India Mahdavi. The near-centenarian hotel bridges its glamorous past with contemporary elegance, honoring its Riviera roots while appealing to modern sensibilities. At the heart of her redesign is a return to the spirit of Mediterranean villas – spaces that embrace their environment through natural light and elegant simplicity.
Drawing on the beauty of the surrounding sea and pine forest, Mahdavi created interiors that feel connected to their setting without overpowering it. Maritime blues, sunny yellows, and crisp whites dominate the palette, while patterns like stripes and diamonds evoke a playful nod to the region’s artistic heritage. She adds, “For Monte Carlo Beach, I imagined a romance, a sentimental story unaffected by the passing of time, nourished by the imagery of the Riviera and the spirit of the great era of the 1930s in order to revive this mythical place with modernity and elegance.”
With the resort’s 40 rooms and suites, including six adjoining loft suites, Mahdavi orchestrated an intimate dialogue between architecture and environment. The furnishings, with their clean lines and natural textures, echo the elegant simplicity of Mediterranean life – luxury not focused on ostentation, but in the perfect harmony of form and function.
The property’s public spaces unfold in a series of carefully composed scenes, from the historic Olympic-sized seawater pool to the intimate beach cabanas. Here, Mahdavi’s brilliance lies in knowing when to step back, creating understated settings that defer to the beautiful surrounding nature. Monte-Carlo Beach is also committed to environmental stewardship. Working with local gardens such as Domaine d’Agerbol and Jardin des Antipodes, as well as regional fishermen and olive oil producers, the resort has integrated sustainability into its operations. Both restaurants, Elsa and Le Deck, have received the “Committed Restaurant” label from the Government of Monaco for their dedication to eco-friendly practices.
For more information, visit montecarlosbm.com.
Photography courtesy of Monte-Carlo Beach.
