Monaco is a playground for the rich and famous, renowned for its princesses and excesses, with Monte-Carlo, the centrepiece of the Riviera Principality. The Hotel Metropole, situated just a few steps from Monte-Carlo's legendary Grand Casino, has undergone a complete refurbishment and re-opened its doors last July as the hottest hotel address in town.

The privately owned Hotel Metropole first welcomed guests in 1886 and quickly became synonymous with the ultimate glamour of Monte-Carlo. The many celebrities you may spot there epitomise the hotel's sophistication and prevailing chic. Since the property's re-opening, it offers an absolutely luxurious experience, together with state-of-the art amenities and service unparalleled even by Monte-Carlo standards, more of which later.

The hotel's opulent atrium, with its unique glass dome, sets the scene for the stylish and lavish atmosphere. Each bedroom is finished to the highest specification with cool, relaxing colours combining with the finest natural materials including solid wood and smooth slate, to offer truly stunning bathrooms.

The suites and junior suites have fast become sought-after retreats for those wanting space, comfort and views – some feature terraces and fabulous ocean views. Get in early as they are snapped up far in advance. The property also has a lavish Penthouse Suite, 'Suite Carré d'or' (Golden Square), with a huge private terrace offering simply stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, the Côte d'Azur and Casino Square – perfect for those long summer days.

The Hotel Metropole really is the hottest place to be seen, at any time of the year. But May is a particularly 'hot' time, because while the über-chic bar and lounge area will be packed with the crème de la crème of Europe's celebrities, royalty and billionaire businessmen, it is the restaurant with it stunning sea views and bird's eye view of the Grand Prix circuit, that make it the place to be seen around Grand Prix weekend.

And the food is worth the effort of making the booking, whatever time of year you decide to go. The restaurant, with a "cuisine ouverte", offers a fantastic menu to tempt even the most particular of taste-buds. Contemporary cuisine based on light fresh Mediterranean flavours, can be enjoyed inside or alfresco, overlooking the fabulous Casino gardens and the striking Mediterranean Sea.

But what really makes the Hotel Metropole stand out is its service and the attention to detail given by its wonderful staff. The hotel has invested in a unique an innovative training program for all staff. Entitled, 'The Human Dimension of Luxury', the two-year program, focusing on every single element of customer service, was created by Luxury Attitude Ltd.

The first phase of the training is "The Study of Luxury". This is a series of mystery shopping missions that the individual employees of every hotel department must carry out in order to analyse which types of behaviours are appropriate and inappropriate when interacting with guests. This training takes place in upscale boutiques that the average Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo guest is likely to frequent in and around Monte Carlo. (Not a bad start to a training programme I am sure most will agree!)

Next staff members familiarise themselves with the 'Service Design' customised for each department. Managers create a service plan for their individual departments that elaborate upon the objectives to be fulfilled by employees, and distinguish between those offered by the respective divisions of other luxury hotels.

The third and final step of the 'Luxury Attitude' programme ensures that the quality of the service is constantly under review by the hotel and innovative new ideas are incorporated on a regular basis. All of which makes for a wonderful customer experience with staff that are so welcoming, attentive and unpretentious, you'll feel like a regular.

Superior rooms at Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo, start at 500 Euro per night and the Prestige Suite at 2,500 Euro per night (depending on season). For further information visit www.metropole.com