Monte Carlo's reality lives up to its impressive reputation
Approaching Monaco by helicopter from Nice airport
-a de riguer transfer for incentive groups - the thing that
strikes you is how ruggedly beautiful Monaco's terrain actually
is. The country, which is less than a square mile in its
entirety, is set on a hillside and, while it is easily
walkable, the public elevators to higher streets are a nice
touch.
As spectacular as Monaco's hotels and staggeringly blue Riviera
vistas are, it's the principality's mystique that makes it such
a great incentive destination. The tiny principality with a
medieval city on a cliff, sovereign prince, grand casino, and
the modern fairytale of Princess Grace all add up to a place
that doesn't seem like it should be real.
Yet it is. And while no one would say it's cheap, Monaco can be
a good and competitive value for a five-star destination,
especially given the trophy value and the dollar-guaranteed
meeting and incentive pricing offered by the four- and
five-star properties. Tourism is the largest part of the
economy, so the government is very accommodating.
Environmentalism is taken very seriously in Monaco, and the
Grimaldi Forum, its stunning seaside convention and exhibition
center, epitomizes this altitude. It obtained ISO 14001:2004
environmental certification in 2008 and has extensive waste
sorting and recycling, a seawater-based air conditioning
system, and an eco-responsibility charter for subcontractors.
Four of the principality's grand hotels, all of its casinos,
and three spas (including Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo) are part
of Monte Carlo SBM, which also controls Place du Casino
Square's roughly 48,000 square feet of usable event space. With
602 rooms and 18 meeting rooms, the more modern, four-star
Fairmont Monte Carlo is the largest meeting property on the
Rivera, and offers enough space for 1,450 theater style seating
and 1,600 for cocktails.