René Blino: "At the Monte-Carlo Beach, 2026 will be the year of embodied joie de vivre"

Between loyalty to the spirit of the place and desire for new momentum, the Monte-Carlo Beach approaches the 2026 season with an ambition to assert more than ever its art de vivre. Gastronomy, sport, well-being, partnerships and quality of service make up the framework of a summer under the sign of emotion and movement. René Blino, director of the Monte-Carlo Beach, looks back at the highlights, the new features and the vision that will guide this new season.

What is the overarching theme of the 2026 season at Monte-Carlo Beach?

René Blino: For a long time, Monte-Carlo Beach has established itself as a social, seaside and sporting club. In 2026, we want to go further and cultivate the art of joie de vivre in all its forms. Over the past two years, we have had to absorb a great deal of change, launch new concepts and transform the venue. Today, we are entering a more emotional, more sensitive phase, where the challenge is no longer simply to explain what is changing, but to embody those changes.

Does this emotional dimension also call for a new approach to service?

René Blino: Yes, absolutely. One of the major focuses of 2026 is the integration of the Forbes approach. Of course, there are criteria, processes and standards. But what interests me most is the emotional dimension: the quality of attention, the way of going that little bit further in the guest relationship, of creating a memory, a feeling. Responding to a request is one thing; anticipating it, accompanying it, giving it a warmer and more personal dimension is quite another. That is the culture of hospitality we want to strengthen. We were rated "Recommended" — our ambition is to go even higher.

Is the highlight of the year the arrival of Italian chef Simone Zanoni?

René Blino: Yes, without a doubt! Simone Zanoni's arrival at La Vigie gives our offering a strong signature and a genuine culinary personality. Behind this choice was also a clear desire to bring Italian gastronomy more fully into the Group's landscape — an idea close to the heart of President Stéphane Valeri. We are right next door to Italy, and we did not yet have a restaurant truly identified as Italian. Simone Zanoni brings a name, a vision and a career linked to iconic establishments. It is a very defining addition for 2026.

This season also promises to be rich in partnerships. Which ones would you like to highlight?

René Blino: Lamborghini is one of the new arrivals. The partnership will be expressed notably through the two padel courts, each of which will bear a name chosen by the brand. A cool room has also been created — a space of nearly 20 m² designed as a comfort and waiting area for players. We are also continuing for a second year with Jacquemus, with a new decoration. And of course, our partnership with APM Monaco at Maona. All of this follows a logic of change within continuity. Last year, there was a sense of rupture; this year, we are refining.

What does change within continuity mean at Monte-Carlo Beach in 2026?

René Blino: We must now sustain a culture of change. The Beach is not a static place. It must remain alive, dynamic and attuned to its time. This is very important to me: there must be something new, of course, but a newness that has meaning, that tells a story, that nourishes the identity of the place. We are evolving the Beach without altering its essence.

Does sport remain a strong pillar of Monte-Carlo Beach?

René Blino: It is intrinsic to the identity of the place. The Beach is a seaside destination, of course, but also a sporting one. The padel courts introduced in 2025 performed extremely well. This pushes us to think more broadly: how can we bring even more sport, in other forms? It is an important driving force for us. Wellness is also part of this momentum, with a stronger presence in 2026 and more classes offered to members.

You also speak of Monte-Carlo Beach as a "living place". What do you mean by that?

René Blino: It is essential. The Beach is not just a hotel. It is a place where people stay, but above all a place where people live. That changes everything. A large part of our activity comes from the restaurants, the club, the members and the everyday use of the venue. We welcome a very loyal, very consistent clientele. What people come here for is not simply a service — it is life experiences, with family, with friends, with children and grandchildren, around the pool, over lunch, through sport and wellness. That is why this idea of joie de vivre must be embodied by every member of the team.

After two seasons of transformation, what do you expect from this third year?

René Blino: I expect a year of refinement. The first season was one of discovery; the second, one of launches and numerous new additions; the third must be one of precision. We will continue to evolve the venue, but with even greater accuracy — in our concepts as much as in the guest relationship. This is a season in which Monte-Carlo Beach must fully embrace what it has become: a destination, but above all a place of life, style, movement and emotion.

Le Monte-Carlo Beach aborde la saison 2026 comme une année de maturité, où gastronomie signature, partenariats lifestyle et hospitalité émotionnelle se conjuguent pour affirmer l'identité d'un lieu de vie d'exception en perpétuel mouvement.