Excellent restaurants, royal suites, dreamy spas, star-rated chefs, amazing wine-cellars, exquisite decors… The most sublime hotels in Paris pursue their goals for luxury to extremes, for an art of living which is truly "Palatial" !
For the 7th year running, Le 114 Faubourg is launching its season of Oenological Mondays. Dedicated to sharing and encounters with a vintner, these evenings are popular get-togethers for wine-buffs. Bernard Neveu, manager of the Bristol’s “sommellerie”, and Fabien Guillemot, Head Sommelier at Le 114 Faubourg, invite a wine producer to present his art. His wine is then proposed to all the restaurant’s clients for an entire month. In October, La Bodega Toro Albala in Andalusia is given a place of honour. In November, it will be the turn of the Domaine Saint Prefert in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Le Bristol, 112 rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, Paris 8 (01 53 43 44 44).
The only château-hotel in Paris, Le Saint-James offers a breathtaking setting of natural greenery a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe and Avenue Victor Hugo. Decorated with a liberal touch of fantasy by Bambi Sloan, this Napoleon III residence is enthroned in the midst of extensive gardens, this summer hosting sculptures by artist Pauline Ohrel. Saint-James, 43 avenue Bugeaud, Paris 16 (01 44 05 81 81).
Since 1923, the Hôtel California has welcomed a demanding clientele charmed by its splendid, classic Art Deco architecture, just a short walk from the Champs Elysées. Throughout the summer, its leafy central patio offers the ideal backcloth for sipping a glass of Moët & Chandon champagne, the hotel’s exclusive partner. Weather permitting, the patio will remain open until October. Hôtel California, 16 rue de Berri, Paris 8 (01 43 59 93 00).
Dressed from floor to ceiling by Parisian decorator Laura Gonzales, Le Relais Christine is a charming, precious hotel nestling at the heart of a quiet street in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. On three floors, it offers a lounge, 48 rooms including 21 suites, split-level or overlooking a garden, a wellness area and a delightful leafy courtyard. Relais Christine, 3 rue Christine, Paris 6 (01 40 51 60 80).
Until August 26th, Le Shangri-La in partnership with Champagne Krug proposes an open-air bar on a terrace of 30 m2 offering a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower and other Parisian landmarks. In this exceptional setting which can be privatized (16 guests maximum), fans of champagne enjoy the privilege of discovering iconic Krug vintages accompanied by an assortment of appetizers with caviar, salmon and Bellota ham. Shangri-La, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 53 67 19 98).
In a surface area of over 1,800 m2 on eight floors, the Villa Saint-Honoré at the heart of the Right Bank proposes 30 prestigious apartments benefiting from an array of hotel services at palatial level. This architectural property brilliantly orchestrated to protect its residents’ privacy also hosts a gastronomic restaurant called Le Balthus, a bar, gym and Carita Spa.
A short walk from Trocadéro, the Hôtel Dokhan’s stands out for its velvety ambiance and, above all, its champagne bar boasting the longest specialized list in Paris. Over the years, head sommelier Matthias Breton, a dedicated fan of bubbly, has accumulated 240 references including absolute musts such as Dom Pérignon, Bollinger and Roederer. He also gives pride of place to independent producers including Champagnes Selosse, Agrapart and Bérèche & Fils, whom he visits on his frequent trips to the Champagne region. Le Dokhan’s, 116 rue Lauriston, Paris 16 (01 53 65 66 99).
Following the “Jungle Chic” theme, the terrace at the Hôtel Buddha-Bar has been transformed into an enchanting venue interpreting the codes of Asian culture. The new menu unites East and West in a selection of dishes and “Tapasians” with summery flavours : crisp salad, funori and nori algae, spicy tuna tacos, prawn tempura... Buddha Bar Hôtel, 4 rue d’Anjou, Paris 8 (01 53 05 90 00).
Two chefs, two culinary traditions, four hands, for a unique menu at Le LiLi, the gastronomic Cantonese restaurant at the Peninsula. New recruits to this palatial hotel, French executive chef Christophe Raoux and Chinese chef Peter Ma co-sign the latest menu. The result is an original, tasty experience with an astute blend of flavours. The Peninsula Paris, 19 avenue Kléber, Paris 16 (01 58 12 67 50).
Between Avenue Montaigne and the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, a short walk from the Champs-Elysées, the Spa de La Réserve is the exclusive purveyor in Paris of "cosmeceutical" treatments from Nescens-Swiss Anti-aging Science. The new 4-hour Be Slim ritual includes your own personalized coach, a hammam, an in-depth massage, and a vegetarian wellness breakfast, gluten and lactose free, concocted by star-rated Chef Jérôme Blanctel. 400 €. Spa de La Réserve, 42 avenue Gabriel, Paris 8 (01 58 36 60 60).
Behind its discreet facade, the hotel Les Jardins du Marais boasts one of the largest open-air terraces in Paris. In this peaceful oasis, Chef Emmanuel Valée proposes ultra-fresh fare on his summer menu, including chilled tomato soup and his veggie burger. From the beginning of May, a buffet brunch can be enjoyed from 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. 49 €. Les Jardins du Marais, 74 rue Amelot, Paris 11 (01 40 21 20 00).
Under the supervision of the new head barman, Florian Thireau, the bar called "Les Heures" presents an innovative formula revolving around inventive cocktails, rare spirits, and a discerning programme of music in a theatrical Art Deco setting. Hôtel Prince de Galles, 33 avenue George V, Paris 8 (01 53 23 77 77).
Chef Nicolas Sale’s cuisine has just been awarded two stars by the Michelin Guide for La Table de l’Espadon, the gastronomic restaurant at the Ritz. The lunchtime venue, Le Jardin de l’Espadon, also picked up its first star. An heir to Auguste Escoffier, the first cook to man the ovens at the Ritz, Nicolas Sale has taken up the torch with humility and audacious flair. Hôtel Ritz, 15 place Vendôme, Paris 1 (01 43 16 30 30).
Very intimate, the Spa Nolinski by La Colline is a new address dedicated to relaxation at the heart of Paris. A welcome opportunity for a break combining serenity and the hi-tech treatments and products of this Swiss brand known for its research on cell metabolism. The 90-minute anti-aging treatment (190 €) is completed by a body ritual lasting 2 hours 20 minutes (270 €) for total release from stress and anxiety. Nolinski, 16 avenue de l’Opéra, Paris 1 (01 42 86 10 10)
Within a Haussmann-style mansion built in 1892 by architect Paul Lorin in collaboration with Gustave Eiffel, the Sofitel Paris Baltimore has just re-opened its doors after top-to-bottom renovation. As soon as one enters, the lobby conveys the spirit of a great 5-star Parisian hotel where tasteful decor blends expertly with charming furniture and works of art. It offers 76 rooms and 27 junior suites, the Carte Blanche restaurant headed by Chef Jean-Philippe Perol, and a classically elegant bar. Sofitel Paris Baltimore, 88 bis avenue de Kléber, Paris 16 (01 44 34 54 54).
At the heart of the 1st arrondissement, a short walk from the Comédie Française, the Drawing Hotel opened its doors on February 27th. This 4-star boutique hotel is inspired by an original concept. Each room gives a place of honour to contemporary art. The hotel’s manageress, Carine Tissot, is also director of the fair called “Drawing Now Paris”. She has given six artists “carte blanche” to decorate the walls with their creations. Drawing Hotel, 17 rue Richelieu, Paris 1 (01 45 38 51 15).
Hidden at the heart of the Hilton Opera, Le Petit Bar has changed its name to “LPB”. 100 years after the start of prohibition, fans of cool new addresses and creative cocktails can now re-live this era which left its mark on the USA. The hotel has lavished attention on all the details : period furniture, subdued light, an appropriate playlist, not forgetting the barmen’s attire. Hilton Paris Opera, 108 rue Saint-Lazare, Paris 8 (01 40 08 44 44).
Talented Dorothée Delaye and Daphné Desjeux have signed their names to the interior architecture of the Hôtel Snob, a chic new boutique-hotel at the heart of the neighbourhood of Les Halles. Elegant and unashamedly bourgeois, this address pays homage to the Parisienne whose good taste seems irreproachable. The 24 rooms offer two ambiances : black or burgundy, set off by brass and contemporary artworks. Snob Hotel, 84-86 rue Saint-Denis, Paris 1 (01 40 26 96 60).
Wood panelling, cabin trunks, wall-lights recalling kerosene lamps, compass prints on the carpeting... The decor of the Hôtel Phileas gives precedence to the spirit of the 19th century. Inspired by the amazing travels of Phileas Fogg, hero of Jules Verne’s novel “Around the World in Eighty Days”, this hotel invites guests on a voyage, with each of the 39 rooms exploring this concept full of charm. Hôtel Phileas, 24 rue d’Amsterdam. Paris 9 (01 42 85 36 36).
The fabulous metamorphosis of the Ritz has not had any untoward effect on the very special atmosphere that reigns in its legendary bar, literally lived-in by writer Ernest Hemingway. Head Barman Colin Field practices his fine art of mixology here, concocting a wide selection of rare alcohols and signature cocktails. Hôtel Ritz, 15 Place Vendôme, Paris 1 (01 43 16 30 30).
