From Le Méridien to the Porte de Monaco, Marriott stays the course with a new impetus

Within a few months of each other, two of Monaco's flagship yachts saw their captains change hands within the group. Marriott. Starting with the Méridien Beach PlazaVincent Clinckemaillié took the helm in March 2023 with formidable energy. The hyperactive Managing Director of this prestigious establishment was quick to put his ideas into practice - and to listen to those of his colleagues. It has to be said that he already had a goldsmith's tool at his disposal. Any visitor who walks through the doors of the establishment and comes face to face with the sea in the line of sight of this tastefully decorated lobby will agree. Behind the prestigious yet familiar façade of Le Méridien, the 'wow' effect is still intact. And even if the 391 keys blew out its fifty candles a short while ago, the regular alterations have maintained its lustre, the contemporary works of art its panache. The credo of the new management team is to make the most of the hotel's potential, particularly in the MICE segment. " Everything is possible, everything can be privatised "says Vincent Clinckemaillié over and over again. Hence the launch of new events on the beach - Le Méridien claims to have the only private hotel beach in the Principality. Hence also the inauguration of a new restaurant, the Smakelijk Brewerywhich completes the summer table of Muse on the fringes of the high season. A Belgian table that testifies to the boldness of the establishment and its management, just like the Comedy Club that was created here - again on the theme of Belgianness. And it could (who knows?) one day find a corporate version to stimulate the zygomatic muscles of participants in a MICE operation at the end of a studious day.

But the epicentre of MICE at Le Méridien is elsewhere. Visit Sea Club has held a special place in the collective memory of Monegasques for over half a century. Many of them - including members of the Princely Family - did their first laps here when they were young. The hotel's conference centre is also housed in this luminous building adjoining Le Méridien. The Sea Club boasts no fewer than 3,000 m² of MICE spacespread over four floors, with some fifteen meeting rooms. These include two plenary rooms - the Mediterranean and Atlantic lounges - whose identity highlights the Sea Club's strong point: its panorama, all dressed in blue, with maximum flexibility between indoor and outdoor spaces. After all, sunshine is also part of the destination's brief, so we might as well make the most of the natural light and the sea view! " Wherever you are, the Mediterranean Sea is never far away "promise those responsible for the MICE catalogue, who describe a " a veritable oasis overlooking the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea ". A full programme of meetings at Le Méridien in the sunshine.

Riviera Marriott La Porte de Monaco

Just a stone's throw from the famous Monegasque address, another Marriott establishment has opted for a complementary positioning. Just ten metres away, the aptly named Marriott Porte de Monaco as the group's second establishment in the Principality. But it's at Cap d'Ail the four-star hotel. The building, inaugurated just over 30 years ago under the Ramada brand - and which two years later became part of the Marriott family - has it both ways. One foot in France, one eye on Fontvieille - Monaco's business district - and all eyes on the MICE clientele, both local and international. Completely renovated in 2019The Marriott Porte de Monaco also has a new General Manager, Xavier Perret, who arrived last November. He will build on the poetic yet truthful 'punchline' of the establishment, which likes to present itself as "an oasis just a few waves from Monaco ". And will be able to count on 186 rooms These include 80% rooms with sea views, all with balconies, and MICE areas, the most recent of which, the Mezzanine, was completed in April. In total, the hotel now boasts 570 m² of event space. This includes the Salon Monte-Carlo (336 m²), the hotel's "signature space", which can accommodate up to 300 guests for cocktails, but can also be subdivided into three areas for more intimate events.

The Marriott's neighbouring location also offers a number of key advantages for MICE clients. Like the possibility of displaying rates which claim to be closer to the establishments in Nice than to their Monegasque neighbours. And to attract a pharmaceutical clientele whose regulatory requirements are not always compatible with Monaco's 'bling bling' image, give or take ten metres... The Marriott Porte de Monaco can also count on its neighbours to smooth out and diversify MICE demand. " Just behind the hotel, in the Fontvieille district, all Monegasque companies are represented. Some of them account for 2,500 overnight stays in the hotel every year. We welcome visitors from these companies every day. There are lots of meetings, study days, seminars... "says Thierry Derrien, Sales and Marketing Director.

Another prestigious neighbour: the Louis II stadium. The famous Monegasque stadium, which rises majestically just a few metres from the Marriott, also enables the latter to attract a group clientele focused on sport, in particular football, basketball and athletics during the Herculis meeting. This season, for example, the hotel has entered into an exclusive partnership with UEFA to host the Champions Club. This is a cocktail party organised before and after each European Cup match, bringing together the sponsors invited by UEFA, i.e. 250 to 300 guests. As a symbol of the versatility and desire for excellence of the Marriott Porte de Monaco on MICE.