The Metropole Hotel has announced the reopening date of its rooftop hotspot, Odyssey Lounge Bar and Restaurant, where guests can enjoy everything from a relaxing after work apero to a Mediterranean dinner under the stars.
Located next to a swimming pool, the Odyssey was forced to stay closed due to health restrictions despite the reopening of the Metropole Hotel in April. But not for much longer.
From Thursday 10th June, the Odyssey Lounge Bar and Restaurant returns, ready to host guests for cocktails and dinner. Photo of the Karl Lagerfeld-designed rooftop by C. Larit
Situated in Monte-Carlo, the beating heart of Monaco, this peaceful locale, imagined and designed by the late, great Karl Lagerfeld, is a place to relax and enjoy the best of Monaco’s summer.
It will feature music curated by the hotel’s sound designer, Beatrice Ardisson, and from 7pm onwards, Odyssey will offer aperos and gourmet tapas including a cocktail bar menu.
When the sun goes down, the full impact of the Lagerfeld mural depicting the voyage of Ulysses will be played up using artistic and tasteful lights twinkling off the pool to create a stunning overall effect.
To top it all off, Executive Chef Christophe Cussac will be serving up Mediterranean-style fare using fresh, seasonal products, offering the best the Côte d’Azur has to offer from his newly renovated kitchens. Photo of the Odysee Restaurant by C. Larit
“People do not see what has been done in the back of house, but it is a revolution for our teams, it is so exciting,” Chef Cussac told Monaco Life during April’s hotel reopening.
For a taste of Monaco elegance, check out the Odyssey, open for dinner from 7:30pm Thursday to Monday all summer.
Venturi, the Monegasque high-performance electric vehicle constructor, is set to unveil the world’s first ever zero emissions polar exploration vehicle on World Environment Day, 5th June.
Returning from a trip to the Antarctic in 2019, Prince Albert II of Monaco remarked to Venturi’s President Gildo Pastor that the research stations there had no environmentally-friendly, non-polluting vehicles. So, the Prince Albert II Foundation asked Venturi to come up with a zero emissions solution, to carry passengers and equipment to and from the scientific research sites.
Three successive versions of the vehicle were designed. The latest, presented to the Prince at Venturi’s workshops on 1st June, will be operational from 7th December 2021 at the Belgian Princess Elisabeth research station. Photo of Venturi’s explorer vehicle with Spitsbergen – Svalbard and Jan Mayer Icebergs peaking from a frozen sea with mountains in the background, supplied by Venturi
Antarctica’s bodywork and styling were created by Sacha Lakic, the designer with whom Venturi has worked closely for many years. His vision cleverly navigates the technical constraints imposed by the research and development department, most of which are to do with the vehicle’s thermal insulation, the size of the battery, and the chassis’ tubular structure.
Sacha Lakic also succeeded in the challenge of devising a design that is versatile, yet ensures the right level of comfort for the vehicle’s occupants. With its fold-down bench seats, Antarctica is able to carry up to six people, along with equipment and a second battery to extend the initial range of 50 kilometres.
Antarctica is the encapsulation of Venturi’s technological expertise. The Research and Development teams – already working on the Voxan and Venturi world speed records programme – have created a completely unique vehicle, equipped with cutting-edge technological solutions that are both bold and clever.
On Tuesday 1st June, during his visit to see the next generation Antarctica for the first time, Venturi presented the Prince with a gift of the original prototype that he drove in Canada in March 2019. Prince Albert II took the controls of the vehicle to navigate part of the 42-kilometre mountainside route between Dease Lake and Telegraph Creek, on the lands of the Tahltan people. Prince Albert with the team in Canada 2019, photo provided by Venturi
“It remains a source of great pride for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to work alongside intrepid and visionary entrepreneurs like Gildo Pastor, making sustainable innovation not just the core of their R&D, but using it to further the cause of science and preserving our planet,” said Olivier Wenden, Vice-President and Chief Executive of the Prince Albert II Foundation.
“This new Antarctica vehicle is itself a magnificent example of the feats we are capable of, and I am sure it will be a real asset for the scientists at Princess Elisabeth Antarctic research station. The polar regions, particularly fragile and vulnerable, must be the focus of all our attentions. They are on the front line of the devastating effects of climate change. To improve our knowledge without disturbing ecosystems, using a zero-emissions vehicle capable of withstanding extreme conditions, is a major step forward.” Photo of Gildo Pastor by Venturi
Since 2000, the Venturi Group has specialised in the design and manufacture of high-performance electric vehicles. Whether through world records, expeditions on hostile terrain, the creation of the first electric sports car, the development of innovative vehicles or its involvement in the Formula E World Championship, the Venturi Group embodies and demonstrates all the capabilities of the electric vehicle on two or four wheels.
“With the Venturi Antarctica, scientists are getting an efficient, easy-to-handle vehicle with very good performance,” said Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi. “They will be able to carry out their research in optimum conditions, without polluting sites where the quality of analyses needs to be accurate down to the last molecule. We are proud to have developed a technological solution that fulfils the remit given to us by the Prince Albert II Foundation.”
Landings at Nice Côte d’Azur airport are set to become a lot softer thanks to the acquisition of a super-powerful lidar to detect sudden episodes of windshear, a first for any European airport.
Nice airport’s proximity to the sea, mountains and plains of the Var make it a prime locale for sudden variations in wind direction, also known as wind shear. This phenomenon can make difficulties for pilots, especially during landing phases.
Now, the airport is benefitting from one of the world’s most powerful Doppler lidars in Europe. Acquired by Météo France and built by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, this new equipment compliments the observation systems currently in place and will make for safer journeys all around.
“We warmly thank Météo France for having acquired and implemented this lidar, which strengthens the safety of aircraft and their crews, and passenger comfort in the service of the performance of our Nice platform,” said Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Management Board of the Airports of the Côte d’Azur.
Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure variable distances to the Earth. A lidar is effective even in dry weather, whereas a x-band radar, the equipment used prior to the arrival of the lidar, is effective only in wet conditions as it uses raindrops and clouds to sense the patterns.
The lidar works using aerosols suspended in the atmosphere’s lower layers to measure wind by Doppler effect to follow movements. This allows forecasters to predict wind shear and its close cousin, turbulence, up to 10 minutes in advance. This allows pilots to anticipate the coming conditions and adjust during crucial take-off and landing phases.
Several airports are using the Mitsubishi lidar, notably in Southeast Asia and Japan, and Nice is the first in Europe to have access to it.
A penthouse restaurant headed by Mauro Colagreco, a luxurious spa with infinity pool, and an elegant outdoor ballroom perfect for one of Monaco’s many charity galas… Here is what we know about The Maybourne Riviera, soon to open in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
The Maybourne Hotel Group, owned by the Qatari royal family, is the operator of Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley in London, and The Maybourne Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. The group will be launching its fifth hotel this summer in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
“The opening of The Maybourne Riviera marks a new era for Maybourne Hotel Group, with our first newly built property in one of my favourite places in the world: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, a truly untouched French gem,” said co-owner of Maybourne Hotel Group Paddy McKillen. “We plan to bring the legendary service and spirit of hospitality that have made our London hotels so successful and much loved, building The Maybourne Riviera into one of the great hotels of the world.”
The striking modernist hotel features an exterior design by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, a nod to modernist architects Eileen Gray and Le Corbusier who built their contemporary homes close by. Among his many other projects, Wilmotte is responsible for the rehabilitation of the auditoriums of the Palais des Festival in Cannes and designed the Teotista residential building in Monaco, also known as the Monte-Carlo View. Bathroom design at The Maybourne Riviera Bringing luxury to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Floor to ceiling windows in each of the 69 rooms will enable guests to take in the dramatic views sweeping from Italy in the east to Monaco in the west. Among them will be 24 suites with private terraces or balconies, some even offering private horizon plunge pools.
The group has been collaborating with some of the most globally recognised artists, designers and architects to create one-of-a-kind spaces, with Andre Fu, Bryan O’Sullivan Studio, Marcelo Joulia, Pierre Yovanovitch, Pascal Goujon and Rigby and Rigby all adding their distinctive style, as well as the Maybourne in-house design team led by Michelle Wu. Mauro Colagreco will head his second Riviera restaurant at the hotel A destination for locals
For people who already live in Monaco, the great news is that The Maybourne Riviera will also be an outstanding gastronomic hotspot with a host of restaurants under the creative direction some of the finest chefs and restaurateurs in the world. The legendary Mauro Colagreco of three Michelin star Mirazur in nearby Menton, and holder of the number one position in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, will have his restaurant on the enviable top floor with panoramic views, drawing on his favourite theme, the sea.
In addition, global super-chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will launch his first restaurant in the French Riviera with cuisine inspired by the hotel’s location on the French-Italian border. Finally, Japanese chef Hiro Sato will bring his world class sushi to The Maybourne Riviera.
Other perks for locals include a Piano Bar for a sunset aperitif or final nightcap, a wellness centre with indoor and outdoor pools and André-Fu designed spa, and conference spaces that can accommodate up to 250 guests for everything from wedding receptions to congresses. There are also two ballrooms, one of which is outdoors – perfect for Monaco’s many charity galas. The hotel will feature incredible views from Italy to Monaco
The hotel is set on the rocky peninsula high above the coast in restored ancient gardens with walkways, citrus orchards and a seasonal herb garden.
When contacted by Monaco Life, the group said it was unable to give a specific opening date of The Maybourne Riviera as it is currently finalising timelines. But stay tuned as we will be updating our readers on this exciting new destination.
Pandemic halves SBM revenue in 2020/21 fiscal year
Monaco’s largest employer, Société des Bains de Mer, has reported revenues of €336.9 million in the year ending 1st March 2021 compared to €618.8 million the previous year, amid the company’s major restructuring and cost-saving plan.
The pandemic brought havoc to those in the hospitality industry, and the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) was no exception. CEO Jean-Luc Biamonti announced the company’s financial statements to the press on Friday, after an annual Board of Directors meeting on 27th May.
Among the notable figures, SBM saw gaming revenues decrease by €115 million in the last financial year, equalling -48%. Meanwhile, hotel revenues reduced by €175 million, coming to a depressing -62%. The only bright spot was that rental revenues increased by a small but significant €10 million equalling a +11% gain.
The company also saw an operating loss of €103.3 million compared with a €22.6 million profit in the 2019/20 fiscal year. The consolidated loss was less severe, but still significant at -€79.1 million, as opposed to the previous year which saw a profit of €26.1 million.
Gaming and hotel losses are contributed directly to the forced closures that were periodicallynecessary as part of lockdown procedures throughout much of 2020 and into 2021.
The rental sector increase is being attributed mainly to new residential leases having been signed at One Monte-Carlo, though Monte-Carlo Bay, the Balmoral, the Villas du Sporting’s boutique and office lettings also contributed.
As a result, SBM has worked to reduce overhead in the form of operating and investment expenses, as well as accelerating their global restructuring plan. This led to employees going on furlough or paid leave throughout a good part of the year.
The restructuring plan, which was announced on 4th March, includes a voluntary redundancy plan for employees over 57-years-old, on the essential condition that these workers would not be replaced. Do date, 234 employees have signed up.
Additionally, a collective forced redundancy plan was put into effect. This is currently limited to just two people, with most of the staff departures targeted at certain departments for reasons of overstaffing or re-organisation to restore competitiveness. These individuals have been moved to alternative roles.
The restructuring has resulted in a net cost of €25.3 million.
Looking forward, SBM anticipates, with the implementation of the restructuring plan, a net saving of €18 million this year. These savings, along with other measures to bring costs more into line with seasonal fluctuations in activity, should give SBM Group a return to profitability, says the company.
SBM has also put in place financial measures that mean they are completely solvent. According to Mr Biamonti, they have roughly €90 million in ready cash for the unexpected or the unforeseen.
For the first time since October 2020, fans were allowed in to the Salle Gaston Médecin to support AS Monaco Basketball, where they handily won against Le Mans 75 to 52.
Smiles on faces, clapping hands and cheers for the teams punctuated the first night back for 800 fans of AS Monaco Basketball on Thursday night when they played against a determined Le Mans team, winning their fifth straight game.
“A big thank you to the fans for the warmth and support they gave us,” Team Captain Dee Bost said after the game. “They gave us extra energy for the end of the season. We must not make a wrong step, but we have a group that can do it.”
Mathias Lessort scored the first points of the game, followed by a beautiful three-pointer by JJ O’Brien. It was a nice way to start, and it just got better from there.
There wasn’t a quarter where the Roca team didn’t outscore their opponents. The first quarter ended with 26 points to 20, the second they made 19 points to Le Mans’ 10, in the third, it was 19 to 15 and in the final quarter Monaco had 11 points and Le Mans seven.
The Roca cheerleading girls were also back, adding a bit more fun to the party atmosphere, and at the end of the first quarter, We are the Champions by Queen was played to celebrate the Roca team’s Euro Cup title.
“It was a great time to be able to find our fans,” said Coach Zvezdan Mitrovic. “They gave us energy. We needed to share with them. It was difficult for Le Mans tonight, with a small roster. We have to manage this end of the championship with very close matches and defend our first place. The team is behaving very well, the group is making every effort.”
AS Monaco made 28 shots out of 65, with six for 25 of those being three-pointers. The team had an enormous 42 rebounds, with Damien Inglis claiming 12 of his own. They recovered 16 stray balls, had 16 assists and stole the ball 18 times.
Captain Bost was high-scorer with 14 points on the night, followed by Lessort and Fall Faye who clocked up 11 each.
The Roca team are back on the court Tuesday 1st June where they travel to Chalons-Reims.
Monaco Life with AS Monaco Basketball press release, photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department
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