Hotel History
August 22, 1975, one of the boldest hotel creations of the time opens its doors, built on the very spot of the first Monegasque railway station and moreover the famous "Tir au Pigeons", frequented by aristocrats and heads of state at the end of the 19th century. Its name: Loews Hotel Monte-Carlo.
November 22, 1975, the new complex is officially named by Princess Grace of Monaco. This astonishing building, designed by the architects Jean Ginsberg, Jean and José Notari, and Herbert Weisskamp, marks the success of a technical challenge. Built in part upon pillars approximately 15m high, the hotel is entirely heated and air conditioned by a sophisticated system which draws water from the Mediterranean at a depth of 40m where the temperature fluctuates between 12 and 20° all year round. With its capacity of 619 rooms and suites, its reception areas, meeting and function rooms, restaurants and bars, it contributes to shaping the new face of tourism in the Principality, in particular by opening up to business tourism. In fact the 7 floors and 60,000m2 are established in a country which measures barely 195 hectares.
November 12, 1998, the hotel becomes part of a private consortium managed by the Monegasque businessman Mr Toufic Aboukhater and is renamed the Monte Carlo Grand Hotel.
December 22, 2004, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and its partners the Halifax Bank of Scotland and Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (Kingdom Hotel Investments) unite to make investments on key luxury hotels markets and buy the hotel which becomes their first establishment in Europe.
March 29, 2005, the complex is officially renamed Fairmont Monte Carlo and the decision is made to make it one of the group’s flagship hotels. An ambitious renovation program is therefore decided on, which will enable the hotel to confirm its position in the great luxury hotel market and put back its sparkle which it had from the start.
May 11, 2006, Kingdom Hotels International and Colony Capital create a global force in the hotel industry by buying the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts chain. The portfolios of the Fairmont and Raffles groups are grouped together, retaining their head office in Toronto. The new company now includes 120 hotels in 23 countries, brought together under 4 banners: Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel.