Post-show glow: How to enjoy the principality and beyond after the Monaco Yacht Show

After four days of breaking yacht news and brushing shoulders with some of the industry's biggest names, it's only natural that your social battery is nearing empty and you need some time away from the bustling harbour. Luckily, BOAT has compiled the ultimate post-show glow guide to enjoying the principality and beyond – whether you need some R&R at a secluded beach club, you've got a hankering for Monegasque delicacies, or you're ready to tackle the infamous Le Sentier du Littoral hike.

Where to stay

Hibernate at The Maybourne Riviera

Just a stone's throw from the principality's main district, The Maybourne Riviera is perched high on the rocky peninsula of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. All-seeing and all-knowing, the omnipresent hotel keeps you close to the action of Monte-Carlo while the cliffs afford its modern architecture seclusion and privacy. 

Inside, the muted coastal tones across each of the hotel's suites and studios are a continuation of the azure coastlines beyond and are sure to soothe a buzzy boat show brain. Expect bespoke designs in each suite and find spaces to both entertain and unwind – choose between rooms with split-level access, private terraces or infinity pools.

Of course, the hotel is not without its buzzier features. You only have to look as far as its exclusive cliffside beach club, Maybourne La Plage, with its Aperol-toned umbrellas and striped sun loungers, to know you're in safe hands for sundowners and freshly caught seafood. Just a stone's throw away from Monaco and the Italian border, its relaxed Mediterranean influences are the antidote to the Monaco boat show grind. See also: the hotel's seaview restaurant Ceto, run by three-Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco. 

The beach club closes Sunday 29 September, so get there quickly to make the most of it post-show.

Bask in grandeur at Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo

Wanting to stay on in Monaco but escape reality? Fairytale palace Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo comes in top trumps with its marble wedding cake of a lobby, tiled marble floors and romantic rooms. The hotel has hosted magnificent parties for the world's jet setters since the origins of the jet and you can soon see why, with the grandeur of the Salle Belle Epoque ballroom – a masterpiece of architecture and history – and the glass-domed Winter Garden. 

Rooms are equally as impressive with balcony views putting you front and centre of Monaco's action – including the Monaco Grand Prix, where the action is best served from the Crystal Terrace with a cocktail in hand. 

A one-minute walk away, you'll find Yannick Alleno’s gourmet counter food in the Michelin-starred restaurant Pavyllon. Expect an open kitchen facing a terrace, where the salty sea views taste almost as good as the decidedly local flavours.

Escape the crowds at Cap Estel

Cap Estel is located in the charming town of Èze, 15 minutes from Monaco and into the French Riviera. Promising privacy and exclusivity, it is a favourite among the superyacht industry as an unspoilt haven of tranquillity. There are just 18 rooms and suites and it has its own private dock should you be arriving directly by boat, as well as helipad access. Mimicking the same luxury and amenities as a superyacht, you can expect an infinity pool, Michelin-starred restaurant (Le Table de Patrick Raingeard), wellness centre and private beach.

Cap Estel will be closing its doors on Monday 30 September, so get there quickly to make the most of it post-show.

Where to dine

Taste your way through the Côte d'Azur at La Vague d'Or – Cheval Blanc

With three Michelin stars, you know La Vague d'Or is set to be a winner in the fine-dining category. Considered a "master alchemist of textures and taste" with his flawlessly crafted sauces, Chef Arnaud Donckele leads the team of chefs and, consequently, your taste buds to the sun-drenched landscape of Saint-Tropez. 

He lives by the philosophy of French writer Jean Giono's quote: "Cuisine is a way of understanding a landscape. The landscape helps us to understand the cuisine and the people who live there." Allow Arnaud, then, to paint the landscape as he unveils the secrets of Provence – with all its rustic charm – through one of his curated menus (Run Away Together, or Epicurean Adventure), packed with locally caught surf and turf underscored by the region's best-picked vegetables.

Dine on a jewel of an island at La Guérite

Mediterranean restaurant La Guérite is located off the coast of Cannes on Ile Sainte-Marguerite. Here you can experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine and the pleasures of Greek gastronomy, courtesy of Athens-born chef Yiannis Kioroglou. Food is cooked in the oven, on the embers or on the barbecue, and the team pride themselves on their aromatic herbs and marinades. With your appetite satiated, give your eyes something to feast on and settle in for an afternoon sunbathing with a view looking back on the entire bay of Cannes.

Dine amongst the greats at La Colombe d'Or

Hotel and restaurant, La Colombe d'Or translates to "The Golden Dove" – fitting for a peaceful place which sits atop the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. It's something of a national treasure, opening its doors in 1920 by husband-and-wife Paul and Titine Roux. It started life as modest café-bar "Chez Robinson", attracting crowds from neighbouring villages to dance on its large, open terrace at the weekend. It expanded to become a restaurant with just three rooms, and today it maintains that boutique charm with 13 rooms. 

It would be ignorant to not mention the art – after all, it was owner Paul Roux's passion and what attracted local artists, including Picasso himself, to contribute to the artworks on display here. The art collection grows to this day, and the food – traditional French cuisines with a Mediterranean feel – gives you a true taste of L'Hexagone. Seating is for around 70 people, and the best spot in the summer months is in the garden terrace.

Where to unwind

Find peace at Plage Keller

Take in the sound of the sea and enjoy a moment of idleness at Plage Keller, a natural fine-sand beach located in La Garoupe Bay that features a beautiful view of the Bay of Angels. Soak up the sun's rays on a deckchair on the pontoon or in the restaurant directly accessible from the beach, with a snack and brasserie service open all day. In the evening, their dining space, Restaurant Le César, opens its doors, run by chef Olivier Condat and offering up everything from sushi to Mediterranean specialities.

Sunbathe and sip at Gigi Rigolatto Ramatuelle's beach house and Bellini Bar

Branded as "a French Riviera sanctuary with Italian flair", the Saint-Tropez-based beach house offers a taste of its neighbour's cuisine and lifestyle. Tucked under the iconic pines of southern France, Gigi Ramatuelle plays host to a beachside restaurant, Bellini Bar, a swimming pool, private cabins and a concept store. Post Monaco, lounging poolside is just what the doctor ordered. 

Championing the spirit of sharing and fresh seasonal ingredients, their restaurant Gigi Rigolatto offers all the crowdpleasers, from Vitello Tonnato to a simple yet satisfying margherita pizza. While you're there, it would be rude not to check out the Bellini Bar for a daytime aperitif or an evening pick-me-up. Opt for the signature Il Bellini di Gigi, the zesty Limone, or indulge in an Italian classic. A negroni or Aperol Spritz awaits.

What to do

Prepare to party (and spot celebrities) at Anjuna Beach

Think private beach, parties and people spotting. At the gateway to Monaco in a discrete location, Anjuna Beach has welcomed a host of celebrities thanks to its unmissable Sunday parties. Expect restaurants of varied gourmet cuisines, a private beach, private events, valet parking and yacht service. 

Balinese-inspired décor gives the place a relaxed feel and is reminiscent of multicoloured fishing boats from the Indian Ocean, while DJ sets and live music give it a buzzy feel. Beach club by day, romantic restaurant by evening and vibrant party hub at the weekends, here is a place primed for celebrity spotting. It's no wonder it has been welcoming VIPs from across the world for over two decades.

Try local dishes at Marché de La Condamine

When the order of the day is simply to immerse yourself in the city and sample an assortment of local delicacies, you can't go wrong with a no-frills food market. Just promise you'll try the Monegasque specialities – socca (a local pancake made with chickpeas), barbagiuans (a fritter stuffed with Swiss chard and ricotta), pissaladière (a tart made with caramelised onions, Nicoise olives and anchovies) and fougasse (a savoury pastry decorated in the colours of the Monegasque flag, using red and white sugared aniseed). 

Hike Le Sentier du Littoral

Considered a moderately challenging route, Le Sentier du Littoral is a popular hike in Cap d'Antibes that takes on average three to four hours to complete. Start your trail adjacent to Plage Keller at Plage de la Garoupe and head along the rugged coastline and rocky promontories below the dreamy villas of "the Cap". The circular walk, which takes you along the Tirepoil coastal path and offers views of the Baie des Anges and Golfe Juan, ends at Baie des Milliardaires beach. 

Amongst the many celebrity-owned villas, look out for the Château de la Croë, which the Duke and Duchess of Windsor once owned and was later purchased by Roman Abramovich. Make sure to wear practical trainers or boots – the path is undulating and there are narrow, winding passages which can be demanding on the legs. Those cliffside panoramic views come at a price!