Where to Stay for the Monaco Grand Prix 2026

Everyone wants to stay in Monaco for the Grand Prix. Almost nobody can afford to. And the ones who can? They booked six months ago.

The Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2026 takes place June 4–7, with the main race on Sunday, June 7. New dates, same chaos — this is now the first European round of the season, and accommodation moves the moment the calendar drops. Mark the dates, then sort the stay.

The good news is that the French Riviera has options at every price point — from a harbour-view room in Monte Carlo to a smart Nice base that gets you to the circuit in under 30 minutes for a fraction of the cost. This guide breaks it all down by neighbourhood and budget so you can stop overthinking and start booking. CuddlyNest makes it easy to search, compare, and lock something in before the good options disappear.

Monaco F1

Monaco Itself: The Full Experience, At a Price

If budget is not a concern and you want complete immersion, race sounds from your window, driver sightings at breakfast, harbour views, the whole spectacle — then Monaco is your answer. The city-state is tiny, which means hotel options are limited and priced accordingly during race weekend. But nothing beats the convenience of being right there.

The standout hotels for F1 weekend in Monaco, all bookable on CuddlyNest:

Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort A landmark Monaco property sitting right on the waterfront. Polished, well-located, and the kind of place that matches the energy of Grand Prix weekend in every way. The two Michelin-starred Blue Bay Monaco restaurant is on site — and Prince Albert II is reportedly a regular. For the full Riviera experience without leaving the building.

Columbus Hotel Monte-Carlo, Curio Collection by Hilton Stylish and design-forward, this one delivers real personality and comfort without going full ultra-luxury. Well-regarded, well-located, and a strong choice for those who want Monaco without the most extreme price tags on the market during race weekend.

If you are going for Monaco itself, book months in advance. This is not a gentle suggestion — it is a hard rule.

Beausoleil: The Insider Secret Nobody Talks About Enough

Here is a neighbourhood that experienced Grand Prix visitors know well and first-timers almost always overlook. Beausoleil is a small French town that literally sits on the border of Monaco, and when we say on the border, we mean it. Some streets in Beausoleil are so close to Monaco that you can practically step from one country into the other without noticing.

Many accommodations in Beausoleil are just 5 to 10 minutes on foot from the Monaco circuit and Monte-Carlo train station. No transport needed, just walking. It is the closest and most convenient budget-friendly base for the race, and it is a consistent favourite among returning Grand Prix visitors who have figured out that proximity and price do not have to be mutually exclusive.

Over Monte Carlo A well-positioned Beausoleil property that gives you walkable access to Monaco without the Monaco price tag. Exactly the kind of find that makes a Grand Prix weekend work beautifully for those who are not operating on an unlimited budget. Book it early, this one gets snapped up fast precisely because the people who know, know.

Nice: The Most Popular Base for a Reason

Nice is where most Grand Prix visitors end up, and it is easy to understand why. It is the largest city on the French Riviera, home to the region's main airport, and offers a huge range of accommodation from budget hostels to upscale hotels — all with excellent transport connections into Monaco. The train from Nice runs every 15 to 30 minutes and takes around 25 minutes to Monaco-Monte Carlo station. Fast, affordable, and during race weekend, genuinely the most stress-free way to move in and out of the principality.

The other thing worth saying about Nice: it is a brilliant city in its own right. Beautiful old town, stunning beaches, great food, lively nightlife. If you have a few extra days, staying in Nice and using it as a proper Riviera base rather than just a commuter stop is one of the smartest travel decisions you can make around Grand Prix weekend.

Here are the Nice picks worth booking on CuddlyNest:

Boscolo Exedra Nice A well-reviewed, centrally located Nice hotel with excellent access to the train station for Monaco. Comfortable, polished, and the kind of base that makes the daily commute feel like part of the experience rather than a chore.

Hotel Ellington Nice Centre A solid mid-range option in the heart of Nice, well-positioned near the train station and considerably easier on the wallet than anything with a Monte Carlo postcode during race weekend. Good reviews, sensible price, exactly what you need.

Citadines Promenade Nice An apartment-style stay 100 metres from the Promenade des Anglais. Ideal for those covering the full four-day weekend who want extra space and the flexibility of a kitchenette. Not eating every single meal out across a long race weekend adds up to real savings.

One quick tip on Nice: look for properties near the main train stations rather than out towards the beach end of town. On qualifying Saturday especially, you will want to get into Monaco early before the crowds build, and being a five-minute walk from a direct train rather than a 20-minute one makes a noticeable difference.

Antibes: If You Want a Proper Riviera Holiday Around the Race

If you are making a week of it and want to combine the Grand Prix with some genuine Riviera exploration, Antibes is worth serious consideration. The commute into Monaco is longer, trains from Gare d'Antibes to Monaco run every 20 to 30 minutes and take around 45 to 60 minutes, but Antibes itself is one of the most beautiful towns on the coast. A gorgeous walled old town, a daily market, excellent restaurants, and a harbour full of superyachts that feels like a warm-up act for Monaco itself.

Les Oliviers, Antibes A well-positioned Antibes property that gives you access to all of this with straightforward train connections to Monaco. A smart choice for anyone treating Grand Prix weekend as part of a broader French Riviera trip rather than a single-destination visit.

Menton: The Quiet Card Nobody Expects

Mention Menton to most people and they will give you a blank look. Mention it to anyone who has done the Monaco Grand Prix more than once and they will nod immediately. Menton is a charming seaside town right on the Italian border, colourful buildings, citrus trees, a genuinely relaxed pace, and it is just a 12-minute train ride from Monaco. Hotel availability is better than Nice during race weekend, prices are more reasonable, and the atmosphere in the evenings is wonderfully calm compared to the Grand Prix circus just down the coast.

If you want to decompress from the noise and intensity of race weekend in the evenings but still be trackside in under 15 minutes during the day, Menton is the answer that most people discover too late.

F1 race Monaco — Photo by Taehoon Kim on Unsplash

The Honest Summary: Which Base Is Right for You

Here is the quick version — no fluff:

Monaco — Best experience, highest price, book absurdly early. Perfect if budget is not the primary concern and complete immersion is the goal
Beausoleil — The smartest budget-friendly pick. Walkable to the circuit, a fraction of the Monaco price, and consistently underestimated by first-timers
Nice — The most practical choice for most visitors. Great range of accommodation, excellent train connections, and a genuinely brilliant city in its own right
Antibes — Best if you are making a wider Riviera trip of it. Longer commute but a richer overall holiday experience
Menton — The quiet, underrated option. Short train ride, peaceful evenings, and real value during a weekend when value is hard to find

One Final Thing

Whatever base you choose, the booking principle is the same everywhere along the Riviera: do it early. Grand Prix weekend accommodation moves fast, and the best options at every price point go first. Head to CuddlyNest, use the map view to check exactly how each property sits relative to train stations and Monaco access points, filter by your budget, and get it locked in.

The platform covers properties from Monaco itself all the way along the Riviera, across every budget range, with no platform chaos or endless tab-switching. And if crypto is your preferred way to pay, CuddlyNest accepts USDT, USDC, BUSD, and DAI — making it one of the most flexible booking platforms on the market for today's traveller.

Sort the base first. Then enjoy the race. In that order.

Where to Stay for the Monaco Grand Prix: A Neighbourhood Guide for Every Budget