Casino Royale

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The Monte Carlo Casino has lured the rich and famous since it opened its doors in 1873.

London, New York and Paris may hog the global limelight for tourism hotspots, but for a true taste of private luxury, Monaco is a century-old retreat for the rich and famous.

Nestled on the Mediterranean Sea about 40 minutes' drive from the Nice Cote d'Azur International Airport - or seven minutes by helicopter - Monaco is home to the world's most famous casino, and each May hosts arguably the best event on the Formula 1 Grand Prix calendar.

Paris stop off

Agents should consider booking trips with a stopover in Paris included in the itinerary, as there are a range of shopping and cultural experiences that can be soaked up in just one day in the French capital.

For the ultimate shopping experience, Galleries Lafayette sells most of the big name brands and fashions that have made Parisian style famous.

As the Galleries' marketing and promotions manager for Asia Caroline de Maisonneuve explained, shopping is an integral element of experiencing the French capital.

"You have to shop in Paris if you want to know the Parisian way of life," she said.

The 70,000m² department store is housed in three buildings, but the most impressive display is the perfume hall located at the base of a large open atrium, topped by an impressive Art Nouveau Bello Epoch style stained-glass dome.

Maisonneuve said the store provided several services for VIP guests, from private invitation-only fashion shows to specialised incentive group packages with cooking classes in the Galleries' food halls.

If your clients are more interested in cultural experience you could suggest a visit to the recently opened Musee du Quai Branly. A stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower, the museum features artefacts and exhibits from "primitive" cultures across the world.

For accommodation, the recently renovated Hôtel Napoléon - centrally located just off the Champs-Élysées - has put a lot of effort into improving its offer for Middle Eastern guests.

Sales director Renaud Biard told LTN the hotel had increased its number of Arabic speaking staff, and was looking to employ a concierge with Arabic language skills.

The menu had been altered to offer more Middle Eastern cuisine - although it did not serve Halal food - and the hotel's entertainment system offered between seven and 20 Arabic language television channels depending on the season, he said.

"Seventy per cent of our rooms are connected, so we can arrange all types of set-ups for guests," he said. "We also have 22 deluxe rooms which are 43m²- that's huge for Paris."

Main event: Monaco

Agents will need to be familiar with their client's tastes when booking accommodation in Monaco as the principality offers a wide range of hotels.

For a touch of old world glamour, the Hôtel de Paris is known locally as "the place to be seen". Suite prices start from EUR 2670 (US $3584) during the peak season.

The hotel is steeped in tradition, and for the ultimate in glamorous sleeping arrangements guests are able to rent the Winston Churchill apartment - a 210m² facility with views over the bay, featuring books, photos and paintings belonging to the former British Prime Minister himself.

For something more secluded, the Hôtel Hermitage is set back from the main road and offers guests heritage charm. The hotel features eight VIP apartments, including one with a rooftop terrace and Jacuzzi overlooking the city. During peak season, suite prices start from EUR 1995 ($2678).

For a more contemporary experience, suggest the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort. The hotel was finished in 2005 and was built on reclaimed land, offering more space in the hilly city. Within the landscaped grounds are a sandy-bottom lagoon pool and the large Les Cinq Mondes spa.

Guests staying at these three hotels are entitled to the ‘Carte d'Or', a guest-benefit card that allows them free access to the Monte Carlo Casino and shuttle buses between the hotels. Those staying at the Hotel de Paris and Hotel Hermitage can also use their card to access the seawater spa Les Thermes Marins, which has a large seawater pool, Turkish bath, and treatment facilities offering panoramic sea views.

For the gastronomically inclined, there are a range of restaurants, with the Louis XV - Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris awarded three-stars in the Michelin guide.

No trip to Monaco would be complete without a visit to the famed Monte Carlo Casino, which has lured the rich and famous since it opened in 1873 as the first casino in Europe. While much of the casino is open to the public, high rollers may prefer to gamble in the private rooms where the stakes are much higher.

Monte Carlo Casino marketing executive Eric Bessone told LTN that entry to the casino's private section was by invitation only, so agents should contact the casino prior to their guest's visit to arrange the formalities.

Anyone travelling to Monaco to have a flutter on the tables should be told the local superstition: if you rub the knee on the horse ridden by Louis XIV on a statue in the lobby of the Hôtel de Paris, it is said to bring you good luck.

Offering 310 days of sunshine annually, a visit to Monaco can be organised any time of the year, with many of the city's hotels very quiet during the Christmas and New Year period. Annual events worth noting include the Monaco Grand Prix and the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters.

High expectations

Air France currently offers two flights daily from Dubai to Paris' Charles De Gaulle airport, and clients travelling first class can take advantage of the French national carrier's new guest lounge and check in service.

First-class travellers departing from Charles de Gaulle are welcomed with valet parking, before being escorted through the airport by a dedicated member of staff for each passenger. In the new first class lounge, guests can relax before a personal car delivers them straight from the lounge to their aircraft.

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