Less than a week is left until the Monaco Yacht Show, the richest yachting exhibition in the world. The Monaco Yacht Show has 580 exhibitors from 38 countries; 125 megayachts, of which 45 are fresh lances awaiting their debut; 40 tenders and water toys, 15 prestigious cars and 2 helicopters. The average length of a MYS member yacht is 48.9 meters. The length of the largest yacht is 110 meters, this is Oceanco Jubilee designed by Igor Lobanov. The total cost of the yachts presented on the boat show will be 2.5 billion euros this year.
Where to stay
Many of the hotels listed below will be packed to capacity during the Monaco Yacht Show, but the show is annual, so if not now, next time you'll be sure to book a room at one of them.
In the first place is Monte-Carlo Beach, which has its own luxurious berth for guests, decorated in Art Deco style. The hotel's Michelin-starred kitchen features an Olympic-sized pool and private beach.
Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort is the latest addition to Monaco's luxury hotel sector. The hotel has its own sand-bottomed lagoon and on its roof there is a solarium with views of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a great place for a year-round holiday, both with friends and family.
Hôtel Hermitage can be called the Palace of Beautiful Era. It is a favourite place for collectors and connoisseurs of art as well as celebrities who want publicity. The Lamborghini and Bentley line will meet you at the entrance - it's Monte Carlo!
Finally, there is the Fairmont Monte Carlo, located on stilts right above the sea, which can offer guests not only stunning views (especially from the rooftop pool), but also a selection of the best restaurants, including the famous Nobu.
Where to eat
Hedonism is Monaco's middle name and the Principality is home to several world-class restaurants. The first to come to mind is Louis XV (three Michelin stars), but unfortunately the legendary restaurant is closed for renovation until next year. Joël Robuchon Restaurant in the Metropol Hotel offers the best of modern French haute cuisine with an accent on its Mediterranean component in the interpretation of the brilliant Joël Robuchon. In the Metropol, you can also visit Yoshi, whose chef, Tekeo Yamazaki, combines traditional Japanese and European cuisine and receives foie gras with roasted eel, lobster ravioli with pickled turnips and wasabi steak.
Lovers of Italian (or more precisely Neapolitan) cuisine will love Il Terrazzino. You can follow Chinese cuisine at Song Qi. Their specialty is the Beijing Duck, which is served with homemade pancakes, cucumbers and green onions.
The less pompous Quai des Artistes is a modern beer restaurant located right in the port. The menu and atmosphere of Quai des Artistes is inspired by the legendary Parisian brasserie of the Beautiful Age.
The restaurant U Cavagnetu, located high in the old streets of Monaco-Ville, is loved by locals for its unique atmosphere and nice terrace. For those who like to eat on the outdoor terrace, the Elsa Restaurant in the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel also has a wonderful view over the port of Hercule. The chef relies on organic seasonal farm produce and local Mediterranean cuisine.
Where to go shopping
Few people go to Monaco to buy a good deal. Most of the shops here - especially in the Cercle d'Or district around Casino Square - dress a small select group of people from the top of the social stairs, and prices there are appropriate. A couple of years ago, five shopping pavilions with Piaget, Sonia Rykiel, YSL and other LVMH brands grew between palm trees and other exotic plants (you will find them when you go up the street from Place Casino). The pavilions will be open until 2018, so visitors to MYS this year will have the opportunity to inspect them.
Where to have fun
The fun starts at dusk when the crowds disperse and Port Hercule becomes a relatively peaceful place (except for the small boat parties that take place every night). Then all the large scale wanderers go to one of the Principality's nightclubs where the money flows with the same speed as the drinks.
For forty years now, the centre of Monaco's nightlife has been Jimmy'z - a huge, half-indoors, half-outside garden decorated in Japanese style. For your table to be served, you'll have to spend at least €300 on drinks during high season.
To get to the Living Room, you have to look your best. This club is an eclectic mix of English countryside saloon with a great selection of snacks and discos with well-adjusted sound. Be sure to visit the heated year-round Living Room terrace.
Located right by the port, the relatively new Brasserie de Monaco brews its own organic beer in the same building. But it's not just a brewery where you can taste Kraft beer at a wooden table. There is a chic lounge area and a terrace overlooking the megayachts. On weekends, there's a DJ playing and dancing until morning.
Between the Grimaldi Forum Congress Centre and the Fairmont Hotel there is another new venue, Le Twiga. Le Twiga is a project by Formula 1 tycoon Flavio Briatore. The club has its own berth and terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. As night falls, Le Twiga is transformed from a restaurant into a nightclub with free entrance.
Where to relax.
Monte Carlo beach has a huge selection of boars, cocktail parties and restaurants. Adrenaline junkies can get their dose here by wakeboarding, water skiing, cocktails at last or by parachuting.
There is also Nikki Beach, one of the world's most famous brands of beach parties. Located on the rooftop of the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, the Beach Club invites guests to relax on snow-white teddy beds with a glass of cocktail or champagne, or try one of the gourmet menus.
Finally, La Note Bleue Beach Club is a private beach with white cotton beds surrounded by olive trees and bamboo. Dinner here is accompanied by live jazz music.
What to see at the exhibition (except superyachts)
The day before the official opening, the Monaco Yacht Summit starts with five round tables moderated by superyacht industry leaders who will share their personal experiences and provide objective information about the world of superyachting. If you are a new owner of a superyacht or have a charter business, you will learn a lot of useful things.
Fans of the Dutch shipbuilding industry should definitely visit the Quai Antoine 1er pier, where the HISWA Pavilion will open.
You can sign up for a test drive of a premium car at Car Deck. The fastest production car in history, the Lamborghini V10 Huracán, will be on display there.
This year's tenders and water toys have their own space on the boat show. That's where you can see two Leonardo helicopters and over 15 tenders. On the list of premieres - Mazu 38, Apreamare Gozzo, 17-meter tender Maori, the new Compass and tenders for the magnificent Oceanco Black Pearl from Pascoe International. Find the tender area can be found at the berth Quai Albert ler.
The Only Watch auction will be exhibiting its rare and unique items at Stand QP28 in the Upper Deck Lounge, located under the Parvis Piscine exhibition tent, away from the main crowds in the port of Hercule. The lounge area itself is worth a visit not only because of the watches, but also because of the unique interior created by the designers of Paola Lenti in collaboration with Sabrina Monte-Carlo.
