we stayed at this hotel two years in a row about 4 or 5 years ago. The first time we visited, we had a wonderful room that "wrapped" around, and from the windows on one side we could see Italy and from the other side, France! Because the hotel is perched so high up on a mountain, every view is breathtaking. The rooms are indeed (or at least were when we were there) a little out-dated, but everything is clean and the service is so gracious that it more than made up for a little tired decor. The second year we visited, we booked the room with the private swimming pool. That was of course more expensive and certainly worth every last cent! (it is a two bedroom). Everyday we went out sightseeing with a guide we had hired (you cannot simply walk out of the hotel and stroll around...you need transportation to get around anywhere), and every afternoon we returned to our room for a couple hours of private (VERY private) swimming with our children. the view from the patio (and from the pool) is almost sinful...you simply cannot take your eyes off of it! the buffet breakfast is one of my favorite meals at any hotel anywhere. the food is absolutely fresh and delicious and sitting on the outside patio with the world at your feet is a wonderful way to start the day! The fine dining restaurant also boasts the most fantastic views and completely terrific food....very innovative...my daughter who was very young when we ate there still remembers a certain white balsamic vinegar ice served with her dessert! this hotel is not for people who dont want to rely on transportation to get around. there is simply no way to get anywhere by walking, even if walking is your thing. if you like a four seasons looking type of room, this isnt for you either. this hotel is special and it does not need to rely on the usual things that please guests...
it has its own style and is not run-of-the-mill. Truly a one of a kind hotel.

As many other reviewers have mentioned, the views from the Vista Palace are truly spectacular. Photos can barely do them justice and it was tempting to just sit on the balcony all afternoon rather than head down to Monte Carlo. I was impressed with the level of service; the valet parking is easy and fast and the staff at the front desk is always ready to help. I also appreciated that such amenities as the valet parking and the wireless internet were free for guests.

Two negatives: first, the rooms aren't really at the same level as the views or the service. The hotel appears to have been built in the 1980s and while it's certainly been renovated since then, it does show its age, particularly in some of the design elements such as light fixtures. The carpets were worn in places and there was some sort of card system on the wall outside the door to the room which may have been used at one time but is now non-functional (the doors are opened with regular metal keys). Beds and room decor were okay but nothing special.

Second, the price for the breakfast buffet seemed awfully steep at 25 euros per person. I've found the average price at 3 and 4 star hotels to be 10-15 euros for a very nice buffet. It may be that the Vista Palace breakfast is truly remarkable, but judging from the room service offerings it didn't seem to be, so I didn't really understand the high price.

Another thing to be aware of is that you cannot walk much of anywhere from the Vista Palace, so be prepared to either drive or find other transportation to get to nearby areas. We had a car and did not use the shuttle that some other reviewers have mentioned.

On the whole, I was happy with my stay at the Vista Palace, particularly as I got a good off-season rate for the room through Expedia. If I had paid the rates listed on the Vista Palace web site, however, I think I would have been more disappointed with the quality of the rooms.

Every superlative written about this place is true!! We got reasonable rates for the third week of September and felt blissed out to spend two nights here--our vacation from our moving around, seeing the sights vacation. Vista Palace is a WOW on every scale. The staff could not be friendlier or more accommodating and will drive you to Monaco for dinner. Instead, we accepted their ride to the ancient citadel of Roquebrune for dinner in the open air at the restaurant facing Les Deux Freres, which was closed, and had one of the most atmospherful and enjoyable, simply prepared, delicious meals of our 16 day trip. Food at Vista Palace is very pricey. Top of the line romantic destination.

My husband and I stayed two nights at the Hotel Vista Palace in mid May 2007 after reading in Frommers that it is the “most romantic” place to stay in on the Riviera; we were not disappointed. This recently refurbished hotel is a peaceful retreat cantilevered out from a cliff above the bustling town of Monaco.

We asked for and received the best room in the hotel on the top floor with 270 degree panoramic views up and down the coast (at a special reduced rate offered by the hotel over the internet). It was almost as if we were in a helicopter hovering over the town. We were mesmerized watching the yachts coming in and out of the harbor during the day and the lights coming on at night.

The hotel’s dining room and swimming pool have equally spectacular views. Originally we were only going to eat only one night in the hotel’s Le Vistaero restaurant, but the food was so delicious and beautifully served that we returned there the second night. Breakfast buffet in the hotel’s Corniche restaurant was also excellent. Just taking the glassed in elevator down to breakfast was a treat.

If you would like to take a short walk, the hotel has beautiful terraced gardens connected by steps going steeply downhill until you reach a precipice overlook with a vertical drop to the town below.

For those who want to go into Monte Carlo, the hotel provides free hourly transportation (about 20 minutes into town). If you arrive by train, arrange with the hotel ahead of time to be picked up at the station because it is very difficult to find a taxi.