A unique arrival awaited at Maybourne Riviera, the 65-key palace that floats high above Monte Carlo.

Lunch at Maybourne Riviera’s Piscine, above, was a heavenly experience, under a cloud of white umbrellas.

As they did at The Emory in London, the folks at owners Maybourne have used several interior designers at Maybourne Riviera – even though the art is spectacular and the best picture of all is looking through all-wall windows, at seagulls whirling at this height (300m ASL), and looking down at that blue sea far below.