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" !
Offering breathtaking views of one of the most magnificent monuments in Paris - Le Panthéon -, this new hotel with 35 rooms on six floors stands out for its decor portraying Parisian chic, both refined and feminine. 19 place du Panthéon, Paris 5 (01 43 54 32 95).
Closed since 2010, the legendary discotheque "Les Bains Douches" has been given a new lease of life in the guise of multi-premises hosting a club, a restaurant and a 5-star hotel with 39 rooms and suites. Clad in white marble and precious wood with refined customized furnishings, the rooms propose a few touches of mild transgression in homage to the old disco's soul and past. 7 rue du Bourg-l’Abbé, Paris 3 (01 42 77 07 07).
This famous palatial hotel in Paris has compiled a programme of events to celebrate its 90th anniversary in due pomp and ceremony. On June 30th, a Garden Party inspired by the novel “The Great Gatsby”, on July 9th, a “Bal Guinguette”, on September 10th, a Speakeasy evening in Roaring ‘Twenties style, followed by a day dedicated to well-being on September 20th, and a sumptuous gala on October 24th, already set to be the “dinner of the century”, according to rumours. All of these events can be booked in advance. Le Bristol, 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8 (01 53 43 43 00).
Barrière Hotels are renovating their most legendary suites. And the “Grande Suite de Paris” designed by decorator Jacques Garcia is the only one in the capital to offer a view of both the Champs-Elysées and the Eiffel Tower. Surrounded by two communicating bedrooms allowing the 5th floor to be privatized in its entirety, it boasts a surface area of 535 m2. An absolute must, with its own telephone number for reservations ! Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière, 46 avenue George V, Paris 8 (09 70 80 98 47).
The terrace at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme has just unveiled the new menu of its summer restaurant “Les Orchidées”. “Burrata artisanale” with bitter-sweet juice of grenadine, grilled fish, rib-eye Wagyu steak from Chile, organic egg omelette with morel mushrooms... The excellent ingredients selected for the dishes are on a par with the refined decor. And every Sunday, a place of honour for brunch with champagne ! Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme, 5 rue de la Paix, Paris 2 (01 58 71 10 60).
Until August 25th, the “Happy Detox” formula invites you on mornings from Monday to Friday to enjoy the pool and hammam at Le Shangri-La, benefit from an hour’s personalized coaching and a “Tchi-Drink” (an energy-regulating infusion) on the Spa’s terrace, for 189 €. Perfect for getting back on form in a magnificent setting. Shangri-La Hôtel, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 53 67 19 98).
Until September 30th, the terrace of the Purple Bar in the Hôtel du Collectionneur is proposing a selection of cocktails based on the most prestigious brands of Moët Hennessy and Diageo, including Hennessy VS cognacs, Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky and Zacapa 23 rum. The chance to sample exclusive creations in a retro atmosphere, such as “Woman in Black” and “Wait Hennessy”, while discovering surprising mixing methods like the Zacapa “cloche” and Ketek One “teapot”. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the experience is set to music with DJ Julia Gautier, and on Fridays the terrace undergoes a change in ambiance to welcome live jazz. Hôtel du Collectionneur, 51-57 rue de Courcelles, Paris 8 (01 58 36 67 00).
On the occasion of its 180th anniversary, Le Meurice has come up with an original proposal for a 180° discovery of Paris. This palatial hotel places a chauffeur-driven limousine at its guests’ disposal for a full eight hours. On the agenda, a night-time tour of the capital’s loveliest streets, then a stylish experience to while away the night at hand-picked addresses such as Le Café Chic, Le Perchoir, Le Speak Easy, Le Carmen, Le Titty Twister or, more traditionally, Chez Régine, Chez Castel or the VIP Room. Le Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1 (01 44 58 10 10).
Opening out to the luxuriant private garden of Le Fouquet’s Barrière, the Galerie Joy has introduced a new and very Parisian Tea Time formula. On the menu ? From 4 p.m., a festival of refined “gourmandises” including small yuzu lemon tarts, an airy mini-Saint Honoré with caramel, crisp buns, raspberry and wild strawberry tarts... To be accompanied by tea from Dilmah or an organic infusion. Fouquet’s Barrière, 46 avenue George V, Paris 8 (01 40 69 60 60).
The terrace christened “8 Iéna” opened its doors a few weeks ago. Directly accessible from Avenue d’Iéna, it offers an elegant urban setting on the ground floor of the hotel. Compiled by chef Christophe Moret, the menu caters for modest and more hearty appetites, with light salads, French and Asian dishes with sun-blessed flavours. From 3 to 7 p.m., a “snack” menu is proposed for afternoon treats. Shangri-La, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 53 67 19 91).
An invitation to enjoy a festive and tasty summer, the terrace “L’Oiseau Blanc” on the roof of the Peninsula Paris offers a breathtaking view of the capital. Open from noon to 1 a.m., it proposes lunch formulas from 57 €, a dinner menu at 99 €, and a great choice of tapas. Peninsula Paris, 19 avenue Kleber, Paris 16 (01 58 12 67 54).
The 5-star Burgundy on Rue Duphot has just inaugurated its new spa bearing the Sothys label. Dedicated to well-being, this setting of 250 m2 is comprised of an indoor pool, sauna, hammam, fitness room, and treatment rooms where men and women can benefit from face and body protocols together with personalized massages. Le Burgundy, 6-8 rue Duphot, Paris 1 (01 42 60 34 12).
The mammoth renovation project for the Ritz Paris, closed since August 2012, has aroused lots of curiosity at the heart of the City of Light. Due to re-open at the end of the year, this palatial hotel promises to be fully consistent with the 21st century. It is already known that one will soon be able to penetrate the site in all discretion from an underground car-park hollowed out beneath Place Vendôme, that La Galerie will be a new showcase for French luxury, that the patio has been transformed into a cosy winter garden, and that Chef Nicolas Sale will take over the kitchens as from the fall. From June onwards, it will be possible to reserve one of the 71 rooms, 71 suites or one of the 15 prestige suites. Hôtel Ritz Paris. 15, place Vendôme, Paris 1 (www.ritzparis.com).
In words and images Through the pen of François Simon and an amazing selection of archive images, one can discover the wonderful history of the Plaza Athénée, a legendary palatial hotel to which the Editions Assouline have just dedicated a very fine book. Entitled “Hôtel Plaza Athénée : l’adresse couture”, it is available from bookstores and the hotel. Plaza Athénée, 25 avenue Montaigne, Paris 8 (01 53 67 66 65).
The famous hotel on Faubourg Saint-Honoré has just been voted "Best City Hotel in the World" by Conde Nast Traveller Russia. This prestigious ranking is based on votes sent in by readers of the Russian magazine, determining each year their favourite addresses throughout the world. Le Bristol, 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8 (01 53 43 43 00).
François Perret, Head Pastry Chef at the Shangri-La, has invented a pastry creation echoing the exhibition devoted to Diego Velasquez, running until July 13th at the Grand Palais. This ephemeral treat for those with a sweet tooth is topped with candied fruit on a dark chocolate base. Shangri-La hôtel, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 53 67 19 98).
The new Hotel-spa La Réserve has just opened its doors. Situated on Avenue Gabriel, a side road running parallel to the Champs Elysées, this luxury establishment has adopted a classic style, reminiscent of a private mansion. La Réserve, which also has addresses in Geneva and Ramatuelle, was already present in Paris with an array of discreet and refined apartments. This elegant 5-star hotel with 26 suites and 14 rooms luxuriously decorated with antiques and rich materials (walls clad in silk, damask drapes, embossed fabrics, taffeta, velvet…) will appeal to a clientele of esthetic taste, in search of a noble "art de vivre". La Réserve Hôtel-spa. 42, avenue Gabriel. Paris 8e. (01 58 36 60 00)
Served in the gallery of the Plaza Athénée Hotel, this "Haute Couture" teatime features iconic pastry creations signed by chefs Christophe Michalak and Jean-Marie Hiblot. On the menu : delicious little glasses of crisp and melting chocolate flavoured with caramel, iced treats with pistachio and apricot, and wonderful bittersweet delicacies with mango and passionfruit. Hôtel Plaza Athénée, La Galerie, 25 avenue Montaigne, Paris 8 (01 53 67 66 00).
Worth discovering : an intimate terrace, heated and covered, opened by the Buddha-Bar Hotel. In this paved courtyard of 200 m2, sheltered from view and the bustle of the city, a buffet breakfast is followed by a selection of lunchtime bentos, then "Tea Time" from 3 to 6 p.m. with a choice of homemade pastries. Finally, in the evening, plays of light create another dimension for this original hideaway. Buddha-Bar Hôtel, 4 rue d’Anjou, Paris 8 (01 83 96 88 70).
This eminent house of "Haute-Joaillerie" has unveiled its first showcase in Paris at the Four Seasons George V. Created by the Atelier Brunoir, its design relies on effective contrasts of light and shade in which to present magnificent jewellery designed by Nourah AlFaisal. Delicate bells made of Japanese paper, folded and hand-coloured, reveal these intricate gems. Four Seasons Hotel George V, 31 avenue George V, Paris 8 (01 49 52 70 00).
