Hotel Capitole

Right in the centre, with the market one street away and the parking garage just 10m from the hotel. Casino Square is only two streets away, and the price was great for the value.

It was easy to get around Monaco by bus or on foot. If you’ve got large luggage, I’d use a ride service to and from Monaco Station or pay for airport transfers. The hotel was quiet and very clean, with a spacious room looking onto a lovely outdoor garden and mural. The bathroom was modern too. I enjoyed my stay.

We left a day early because the place badly needs upgrades. The rooms still use actual keys, and the refrigerator sits in an unvented cabinet, so you have to leave the cabinet door open or it won’t cool. Our first-floor room looked onto the “private garden.” If you need to iron clothes, you have to take them to the restaurant and use a table there. The short bald man was especially rude and didn’t even ask why we were checking out early. They justified the condition by saying that in Monaco you shouldn’t expect anything better at this price. You’re better off paying $700 a night at a proper establishment or taking the 30-minute train ride and staying in Nice.

The staff were great and helpful, and someone whose name I can’t remember put in a lot of effort to help us get a taxi. I could have rated the hotel five stars, but the shower was the issue: the water didn’t drain properly, so we had to wipe the floor dry. The other rooms are nice and have good showers.