"We stayed at Novotel Monte Carlo for three nights as a family of four with two toddlers, and overall we had a really enjoyable stay. We'd definitely recommend it to families looking for a well-located hotel in Monaco.
We stayed in Suite 1023, which was a great size for our family. The bed was very comfortable, the mini bar was well stocked, and having the extra space made travelling with two young children much easier.
The biggest highlight of our stay was the staff. Everyone on the front desk was welcoming and helpful, but Isabelle deserves a special mention for her outstanding customer service. She went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and was a real credit to the hotel.
The hotel is very family-friendly. Our children loved the indoor play area and the giant teddy bears dotted around the hotel, which were such a lovely touch. The pool area was also very pleasant, with hammocks creating a relaxing atmosphere, and it was great that pool towels were provided.
The location is excellent. It's around a seven-minute walk to Monaco-Monte-Carlo station and about ten minutes to Casino Square. Monaco is famously hilly, but make use of the public lifts nearby as they make getting around with a pushchair much easier.
For anyone looking for affordable food nearby, Cooks Restaurant, just a couple of minutes from the hotel, was a great find. We enjoyed good coffee and croissants in the morning, and their pizzas were excellent value. We also loved the views overlooking the harbour, and the drinks from the pool bar were very good.
There were a few areas where improvements could be made, although none of them were significant enough to spoil our holiday. Housekeeping could have been more thorough, as the floor felt dirty from the start of our stay. Our bathrobes were removed during cleaning on the second day and weren't replaced. It would also have been nice to have proper coffee mugs rather than paper cups in the room.
We noticed a few ants in the suite, and the bathroom and toilet didn't have locks. The separate toilet also didn't have a mirror, which was a little inconvenient. Our terrace only had one sun lounger and overlooked a nearby building site. Fortunately, there was no construction taking place during the weekend, so it wasn't disruptive.
The pool area is lovely, but seating is limited. Daybeds are available for an additional charge, and by late afternoon the pool towels had run out, so it's worth bringing your own if you plan to spend the whole day there. If you're hoping to enjoy the terrace in the evening, I'd also recommend packing some insect repellent.
Overall, we had a fantastic stay. The wonderful staff, comfortable suite, family-friendly facilities and excellent location far outweighed the few minor issues we experienced. We'd happily stay at Novotel Monte Carlo again and would recommend it to other families visiting Monaco."
