The £136m (US$240m, 200m euro) Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort opened in Monaco on 7 October.

The resort was masterminded by Brussels-based Monegasque architect Louis Rué, consultancy Atelier d’Art Urbain and architects lori & Giraldi.

Covering an area of 431,000sq ft (40,000sq m) on the Larvotto peninsula, the centrepiece of the development is an L-shaped hotel, inspired by Mediterranean palaces and complete with 11 floors and 337 rooms and suites.

The hotel gardens also include Europe’s first sand-bottomed lagoon with sculpted rocks, palm tree islets and child-friendly wet beaches with links to an indoor swimming pool.

The 9,687sq ft (900sq m) Spa des Cinq Mondes will open at the Monte-Carlo resort within the month and will feature 11 treatment rooms – including three spa suites – a large Turkish bath, saunas, a gym and fitness rooms.

Other facilities will include a 4,850sq ft (450sq m) casino and business centre. Details: www.montecarloresort.com