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" !
To welcome summer, Le Cinq Codet has transformed its patio into a chic “guinguette”. Throughout the month of July, you can browse through vintage furniture, retro bikes, period furnishings and old vinyl records. A delightful trip back in time ! Hôtel Le Cinq Codet, 5 rue Louis Codet, Paris 7 (01 53 85 15 60).
At the very heart of the Left Bank, L’Hôtel is an insiders’ address which seems to have remained intact since the 19th century. Designed by decorator Jacques Garcia, this very romantic port-of-call plays host to an intimate gastronomic restaurant extended by a charming terrace with a 16th-century fountain, where Chef Julien Montbabut proposes neo-classic cuisine. An address sheltered from prying eyes, ideal for taking a step back in time. L’Hôtel, 13 rue des Beaux-Arts, Paris 6 (01 44 41 99 01).
In partnership with Belvedere Vodka, the Mandarin Oriental has set up an ephemeral summer bar in its inner garden. Head barman Alexis Martinez has conjured up some whimsical concoctions, such as a “Twisted Mary” based on tomato and lemon water, vodka, celery salt and distilled Worcestershire sauce. Mandarin Oriental, 215 rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 1 (01 70 98 78 88).
With the arrival of fine weather, the Buddha-Bar Hotel invites guests to take advantage of its large inner courtyard in a series of ephemeral rendez-vous. On Thursdays from June 2nd, “Sunset Parties” promise relaxation with the DJ’s lounge and electro sets accompanied by cocktails, while the Bubble Bar proposes an exclusive collection of sparkling drinks, and the Vraymonde restaurant presents its summer menu, enticing and ultra-healthy. Buddha-Bar Hôtel, 4 rue d’Anjou, Paris 8 (01 83 96 88 70).
“Les Suit(e)-up Lounge” are evenings held on the 7th/top floor of the Shangri-La hotel, in the iconic suite whose remarkable terrace of 100 m2 offers a fabulous view of the capital. Evenings enabling a happy few to sip champagne accompanied by tasty appetizers in a chic and cosy ambiance. Created by the head barman, the “701” is the star cocktail of these intimate occasions : a spritz with a new spin, based on Aperol infused with galangal, organic agave and champagne. Lasting until September, these evenings are announced 24 hours in advance by e-mail sent to hotel regulars. Shangri-La, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 53 67 19 98).
M Gallery has inaugurated the Boutet Hôtel, a 5-star address nestling in the Bastille neighbourhood. It occupies the former head-office of the Maison Boutet, a gem of industrial Art Deco architecture.Comprised of 80 rooms including four suites, it offers a spa with heated swimming pool. The extra bonus ? One of the suites is prolonged by a private terrace of 60 m2 enjoying a clear view of the rooftops of Paris. Hotel Paris Bastille Boutet by MGallery, 22-24 rue Faidherbe, Paris 11 (01 40 24 65 65).
To celebrate blue skies and sunshine, the Spa Valmont at the Meurice is transforming its private terrace into a sandy beach, ideal for time-out with cocktails and friends. A real oasis in the open air, with sun loungers, lanterns and sunshades. A selection of drinks, sweet and savoury snacks will banish hunger pangs. For the occasion, the spa proposes a special “Plein Soleil” treatment, to show off satin-soft skin on the beach. Until July 15th. Spa Valmont du Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1 (01 44 58 10 10).
The famous Roland Garros tennis tournament will take place from May 22nd to June 5th. For the occasion, the restaurant of the Peninsula Paris, L’Oiseau Blanc, decorated in the colours of this major event, will invite guests to experience all the magic of this Grand Slam tournament on the top floor of the hotel. The “Game, Set and Match” menu dreamt up by Chef Sidney Redel is based on regional cuisine with a refined selection of seasonal ingredients. It is rounded off with the “balle de match”, a dessert comprised of a subtle combination of strawberries, white almond crisp and a vanilla-citrus fruit emulsion. Menu 69 €. Peninsula Paris, 19 avenue Kléber, Paris 16 (01 58 12 28 88).
A 5-star hotel with a spa and private apartments, La Réserve Paris has just inaugurated its terrace. A wonderful opportunity to discover in the open air the cuisine of Jérôme Banctel, Chef of the restaurant Le Gabriel, which this year won two stars in the Michelin Guide. La Réserve, 42 avenue Gabriel, Paris 8 (01 58 63 60 60).
Designed by decorator Sarah Lavoine, the 5-star Roch Hôtel et Spa, already a member of the Design Hotels collection, will lift the veil at the beginning of June from its 37 rooms including 4 suites with private hammams. From its terrace, the fabulous Saint-Roch Suite offers an unimpeded view of the rooftops of Paris. The spa will propose Codage treatments, and the young Chef Arnaud Faye, already awarded 2 stars in the Michelin Guide and 4 toques in Gault & Millau 2016, will concoct the bar menus. A sunny terrace and an indoor pool complete the offerings of this new port-of-call in Paris. Le Roch, 28 rue Saint-Roch, Paris 1 (01 70 83 00 00).
One of the world’s most renowned contemporary artists, Daniel Buren has installed a spectacular pergola in Le Bristol, facing the colonnade of the 3-star Epicure restaurant. Adopting the well-known vertical stripes in white and bright colours which are the signature of the artist’s work, the pergola was created in situ. Bristol, 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8 (01 53 43 43 40).
The Shangri-La now offers guests its first tourist guide to the capital. Handing over the keys to the city in the guise of 10 dedicated tours, it proposes excursions on carefully selected themes. A guidebook rather like an accomplice, brimming with anecdotes and recommendations for original visits giving precedence to a certain art of living, on a par with the aura of this palatial hotel. Shangri-La, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 53 67 19 98).
Once a month, the Bar at the Bristol invites Parisians to relax while enjoying an evening on a special theme. Orchestrated by head barman Maxime Hoerth (“Meilleur Ouvrier de France”) and his teams, these events offer the chance to discover original cocktails, audacious, sparkling and spicy. Next appointment on May 19th, from 7.30 p.m., for an evening dreamt up with Eden Rock-St Barths. Amber-coloured rum and coconut sodas on the programme ! Le Bristol, 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8 (01 53 43 42 41).
Even though gluten and lactose free, this new well-being breakfast is simply delicious. A real energizing cure, ideal for spring, the “B-Green” breakast proposed by 2-star Chef Christophe Moret offers guests at La Bauhinia a moment of enjoyment starting with lemon-flavoured water. The ritual continues with a succulent green juice, full of vitamins, served with a hot drink, toasted organic bread, and muesli with almond milk. A carpaccio of avocado accompanied by crunchy vegetables adds the final touch. Shangri-La Paris, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 53 67 19 98).
Completely revamped, the Dior spa at the Plaza Athénée has gone one step further in sophistication. From reception to the rest-room via the suites, all the various areas have been redecorated in an elegant champagne tone enhanced by wooden panels with gold “cérusé”. To accompany the facelift, the spa is proposing a new massage method for the tissues. This Dior Prestige protocol embodies all the principles upheld by the Dior Institut : pleasure, performance and excellence. Plaza Athénée, 25 avenue Montaigne, Paris 8 (01 53 67 66 65).
In July, the heart of Paris will welcome a new 5-star hotel near the Comédie Française and gardens of the Palais Royal. All clad in Haussmann elegance, this luxury address with 45 rooms signed by interior decorator Jean-Louis Deniot will feature a gastronomic restaurant called Brasserie Réjane, a large lounge dedicated to encounters for fans of literature, music and jazz concerts, and a top-notch spa. To be continued... Le Nolinski, 16 avenue de l’Opéra, Paris 1.
Totally re-invented by the architects of the A3 agency, the 29 rooms in the Hôtel Molière serve as bridges between the centuries. Each one provides the backcloth for a unique artwork created by the Atelier Boucle d’Art, staging a dialogue between two eras and two artists. In this intimate hotel on the Right Bank, between the Louvre and Opéra, there reigns an atmosphere deeply rooted in the 17th century. Hôtel Molière, 21 rue Molière, Paris 1 (01 42 96 22 01).
Pastry chef at the Péninsula Paris, Julien Alvarez has yet again demonstrated his talent in this sculptural creation for those with a sweet tooth. Taking inspiration from the theatrical world of Le LiLi - the hotel’s gastronomic Cantonese restaurant -, he has dreamt up an egg with a light and airy volume, whose colours and textures blend perfectly together. It hints at the subtle flavours of Asian desserts : crunchy dried fruit, roasted and caramelized, hazelnut praline with puffed rice, nougatine with sesame. 95 € en édition imitée. Peninsula Paris, 19 avenue Kléber, Paris 16 (01 58 12 67 54).
The very private Mosaïc Spa at the Hôtel du Collectionneur has raised the veil on its new list of treatments, revolving around five different themes : aromatherapy signed Décléor, “Haute-Beauté” signed Carita, sensorial escapism with the MarocMaroc brand, body treatments, and beautycare for the hair and hands. The bonus is precious Art Deco decor, all in mosaic and gilding, for a moment of relaxation in an exceptional setting. Hôtel du Collectionneur, 51-57 rue de Courcelles, Paris 8 (01 58 36 68 09).
A timeless and rather secret hideaway not far from Montmartre, the 5-star Maison Souquet, orchestrated by star decorator Jacques Garcia, has brought back to life the sumptous decor of yesteryear’s houses of ill repute. This little palace of hedonism proposes 20 rooms and six suites of stunning luxury. The “salons”, the winter garden, the bar with its “courtesan” wine-list, and the enchanting spa nestling in a velvety alcove, all endow it with spell-binding magic. Maison Souquet, 10 rue de Bruxelles, Paris 9 (01 48 78 55 55).
