< Previous30313233 coloured structure and silvery pebble beach below, which, in fact, is the original trailblazer with a slew of new additions. Amid Monaco’s glitzy grande dames, Monte-Carlo Beach is the stylishly understated sister. Lying on a peaceful bend just outside of Monaco, technically, its address too is Roquebrune- Cap-Martin, but as the name suggests, the vibe is unequivocally Monégasque. Designed by the legendary architect Roger Séassal, Monte-Carlo Beach itself has been here since the 1930s, when it opened to a huge fanfare giving the people of Monaco what they’d been missing – an exclusive beach and pool club. While a true institution, it’s not in the least bit stuffy, instead, facing the future with vigour and originality. Last year the hotel unveiled its new beach, refurbished and reimagined in the image of its original 1930s beachfront. This year, the hotel unveiled a new 200-metre strip of fine, pale sand, completely refreshed its 180 private beach club tents and erected an ultra-chic pontoon. Jutting out into the ocean and branded with its moniker, the wooden decking is filled with oily-limbed jet-set who swim lengths in the inky blue. Of course, the Olympic-sized swimming pool with a diving board is a safe bet for those who prefer not to take on the tides. Both beach and pool set the scene for Chanel’s 2022/23 Cruise Collection – where the world’s style set descended on Monte-Carlo Beach to celebrate the eternal allure of the French Riviera. The hotel itself sits in the shadow of Karl Lagerfeld’s former villa, Villa La Vigie, now Previous page: Chanel debuted its Cruise 2022/23 collection at Monte-Carlo Beach This page: Elsa restaurant at Monte-Carlo Beach operated as a private stay villa by Monaco’s Société des Bains de Mer (SBM). Despite its new additions and shiny refurbishment, everything at the hotel evokes a sense of glamour and nostalgia, to a time when Princess Grace, Marlene Dietrich and Coco Chanel would come calling. Black and white photographs hang around the interiors and in-room televisions play the same evocative montage. Illustrious history aside, the curved terracotta-hued hotel is all about understated elegance. The bright, Art Deco-inspired interiors are by Parisian designer India Mahdavi and rooms a sea of stripes and motifs inspired by Matisse. Each comes with a loggia which looks onto a rocky private beach below and the twinkly lights of Monaco. There’s no need to request a sea view, as all of them are ocean-facing. What’s groundbreaking here is the hotel, and SBM’s, dedication to the environment. Surprisingly, in-room toiletries are biologically friendly and all food served is organic – a key draw to its chic restaurants like seafood restaurant La Vigie, poolside Le Deck and innovative Elsa. While SBM’s other Monaco properties are serviced by the mega wellness hub that is Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo Monaco, Monte-Carlo Beach once again proves its exclusivity with its own spa hut steps away from the sand. Luxury, ethical, organic and biological French skincare brand PAOMA has been introduced this season, in line with the hotel, and SBM in its entirety’s, passion to protect the planet. WHERE TO STAY3435 GETTING THERE New for summer 2022, Etihad Airways (etihad.com) has added twice-weekly direct fl ights between Abu Dhabi and Nice Côte d’Azur until 30 September 2022. Gulf Air and Emirates also fl y direct to Nice from Bahrain and Dubai, respectively GRAND GASTRONOMY Monaco has long been a spot for gastronomic excellence. Auguste Escoffier, the man who pioneered French Grande Cuisine, cooked in Monte-Carlo in the late 19th century, and a Monaco dining guide reads like a roll call of the world’s finest culinary artists. But a refreshing new wave of culinary talent is injecting some fun into the otherwise grandiose dining scene. This year, in a pioneering move, Monte-Carlo Beach invited chef Mélanie Serre to take the helm of its sweeping waterfront terrace restaurant, the chef now serving 100 per cent organic food and wild-caught fish. Much produce comes from the organic vegetable garden to create dishes like French beans in spicy broth, carrot with cumin and carrot top pesto and showstoppers like Mediterranean red mullet with potato gnocchi. In the glitzy centre of Monte-Carlo, triple-Michelin starred Chef Yannick Alléno has also landed at Hôtel Hermitage with Pavyllon Monte-Carlo. The superstar chef’s – who also helms a restaurant at Dubai’s One&Only The Palm – new concept serves his classic elevated French cuisine but also redefines fine dining. The garden-inspired seafront terrace sees magnums of rosé grape float between tables while guests seated inside have a front-row seat to the open kitchen. What’s more interesting, however, is the culinary journey of Monaco’s oldest, and arguably most opulent hotel, Hôtel de Paris. The landmark has resided on the fabled Casino Square since 1864 and is a true ode to Monégasque splendour. Muscling in next to chefs like Alain Ducasse and Franck Cerutti is 26-year-old Lebanese chef Yasmina Hayek who opened the third iteration of her family’s beloved Lebanese restaurant Em Sherif this April. As the daughter of founder Mireille, Yasmina was tasked with bringing Lebanon’s authentic and beloved cuisine to the Principality while adding a local twist. You’ll find Em Sherif classics like hummus, mutabbal and fattoush tabbouleh, but with dishes inspired by the locale like steamed whole sea bass stuffed with fragrant caramelised rice. Levant-meets-Riviera too in the al fresco setting: a luscious green garden and terrace overlooking the endless blue sky and Mediterranean. As far as dining destinations go, The Maybourne Riviera is cementing itself as the shiniest new spot to visit. Much like its coterie of designers, heavyweights in the culinary world have stepped in to lead its six outlets. Chef Mauro Colagreco’s new Riviera Restaurant, championing the coast from Liguria to Nice is, and one of the most sought-after reservation spots this season. Multi-starred Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s pool bar serves lobster rolls, crispy French fries and truffle pizza and pastry prodigy Benoît Dutreige whips up zingy Menton lemon tart and fluffy Madeleines. Many well- heeled visitors are heading to Colagreco’s rooftop restaurant Ceto, an ‘ode to the sea’ and culinary dive into the Mediterranean. Exciting things are happening in this corner of the Riviera, and with Cote d’Azur’s long summers stretching into November, there’s much life to be had in the season yet. WHERE TO STAY This page: dishes at Elsa Facing page, clockwise from top left: dining at Yannick Alléno’s Pavyllon Monte-Carlo; Mauro Colagreco’s Riviera Restaurant; dishes, and terrace at Pavyllon Monte-Carlo PHO T OGR APHS: MA TTE O C A R A S S ALE, MONTE -C ARL O SOCIÉTÉ DE S B AINS DE MER THE WORLD MADE LOCAL cntravellerme.com YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE AWAITS37 Pe arl of the Gulf Situated on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, with an energetic and ever-evolving capital and on the cusp of hosting one of the biggest sporting events in the world, Qatar is establishing itself as one of the region’s most enticing destinations. But, while the fleeting weeks of summer may cause temperatures to soar, they can actually be some of the most rewarding. As the heat begins to rise, so do the amount of culture and activities the island state has to off er. From its world-class museums and retail venues to its creative dining scene – there are few better places for an accessible local summer holiday. There’s something for everyone when it comes to hotels, the capital Doha and reaches of the country home to everything from luxury brands to aff ordable self-catering apartments. In the new heart of the city, gleaming cultural hub Msheireb is home to glamorous Mandarin Oriental, while West Bay, the city’s glittering business district with its iconic high rises, is home to trendy W Doha and near the likes of the Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village. Futuristic Lusail is also a place to stay, its infrastructure infused with smart technology and home to The St Regis Doha and Mondrian Doha. Alternatively, Banana Island Resort by Anantara offers a beachy refuge within touching distance of Doha, while Qatar’s peaceful coastline hides the newly opened Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva Som and Hilton Salwa Beach Resort – home to Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park – the country’s largest theme park with 18 attractions and 56 slides. Qatar’s attractions are world-renowned, its dynamic indoor museums, galleries and shopping venues hidden away from the Arabian sun. Journey through time and celebrate Qatari history and heritage at the National Museum of Qatar, its design inspired by the desert rose, or admire metalworks, ceramics, textiles and other beautiful works at the Museum of Islamic Art. That, or escape to the glossy new Place Vendôme shopping mall in the heart of Lusail City, nestled in classic Parisian architecture, or the grand Galleries Lafayette, its surrounding squares air-conditioned and home to grand European-style cafes. For something more traditional, there’s the bustling and traditional Souq Waqif or Souq Wakra: Known as the ‘Souq by the Sea’. For foodies, there’s everything from Michelin-starred chef restaurants like Nobu by Chef Nobu and Cut by Wolfgang Puck to traditional food trucks and markets like Al Duhail Night Market and Tasty Street at Katara For some, the best way to see the city, despite the summer season, is by diving into Qatar’s boundless watersports and outdoor activities. Kitesurf at Fuwairit Kite Beach or Zekreet Beach, where you’ll spot wildlife like Oryxes, ostriches, gazelles and fl amingos. With so much to see and do, and more on the horizon, Qatar is the perfect summer 2022 holiday destination. visitqatar.qa QATAR HAS EMERGED AS AN UNLIKELY TOP SUMMER HOLIDAY DESTINATION, THANKS TO AMPLE CULTURAL, RETAIL, DINING AND ACTIVITY OPPORTUNITIES38383838838888388888888888888888888888888888888839393939333933933939393939939333393333393333333933333333 TTHHEE RREEDD SSEEAA IISS BBRRIINNGGIINNGG TTHHEE WWORLD’SS MMOOSSTT LLUUXXURRIOUSS HHOTTEELLSS AANNDD RREESSOORRTTSS TTOO SSAAUUDDII AARRAABBIIAA’’SS STTOORRIIEEDD WWESSTERRN SHHOORREENext >