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" !
When Christophe Robin, a star in the art of hair colouring, joined up with talented pastry-maker Cédric Grolet, the result was an explosion of colours and flavours ! This four-handed pair of creators dreamt up "Les Petits Désirs" : exquisite delicacies available exclusively at the Hôtel Meurice. These fruity, gluten-free, mini "financiers" with liquid hearts come in strong colours of yellow, orange, red and black. Salon Christophe Robin, suite 128/129, Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1(01 44 58 10 10).
Combining delicious flavours and an exceptional setting, Le Camélia is a luxurious springtime address nestling on the ground floor of the Mandarin Oriental. From breakfast onwards, guests are treated to ultra-fresh cuisine. For lunch, Thierry Marx has concocted the “Daily Marx” formula, a choice of seasonal French specialities only served on weekdays : crab in a fine jelly of baked melon, fillet of Hereford beef, sweet-and-sour vegetables... Mandarin Oriental Paris, 251 rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 1 (01 70 98 73 00).
The arrival of fine weather is the ideal occasion to discover the terrace of the restaurant “L’Oiseau Blanc” on the sixth floor of The Peninsula Hotel. Proposing elegant, market-fresh cuisine orchestrated by chef Sidney Redel, the menu features a new “bistronomique” menu every day. Hôtel The Peninsula. 19, avenue Kléber. (01 58 12 67 30)
In addition to Carita’s “Haute Beauté” treatments for the face and body, the Well-Being centre of 600 m² at the Shangri-La Paris now proposes two new brands of cosmetics : Thémaé and Kos Paris. Indissociable from the Asian way of life, tea lies at the heart of Thémaé products. Used in each formula, its virtues blend profound well-being with effective treatments. An expert in remarkable vegetable extracts, Kos Paris proposes rare oils, precious butters and refreshing waters. Together with expert massages, a treatment bearing the Shangri-La signature and applied with a precious oil guarantees an enchanting personalized break. Shangri-La, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 53 67 19 98).
Facinated by design, Patrick Derderian has dreamt up and built with the architect Roger Taillibert a “sculpture building” in the 16th arrondissement. Comprised of 22 rooms including 6 prestigious suites, the Hôtel Square also proposes a Nuxe spa, the Zebra Square restaurant, business lounges and meeting rooms. At the start of 2015, this luxury address introduced new packages on different themes combining hotelry, culture or well-being. Worth noting, for example, a partnership with the very select Ken Club offering a gym with indoor pool, solarium, sauna and hammam. Hôtel Square, 3 rue de Boulainvilliers, Paris 16 (01 44 14 91 90).
With Kevin Chambenoit’s nomination as “Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) 2015” in the Maître d’hôtel, Service and Art of the Table category, the Bristol Paris can lay claim to the highest number of MOFS in the world (six to date). A track record demonstrating the on-going quest for excellence pursued by this palatial hotel. Le Bristol, 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8 (01 53 43 43 00).
It would certainly seem that the Plaza Athénée's closure for embellishment has borne fruit as the restaurant directed by Alain Ducasse has just been awarded two stars in the Michelin Guide 2015. The Chef of this palatial hotel has redesigned his offerings around a concept of "naturalness" giving priority to the flavours of produce and ingredients. Based on a trilogy of fish-vegetables-cereals, some recipes add a touch of audacity to undisputed mastery. Plaza Athénée, 25 avenue Montaigne, Paris 8 (01 53 67 65 00).
Following renovation to the tune of over 42 million euros, the Hilton Paris Opéra, an historic hotel in the Opéra neighbourhood, unveils its new, sumptuously Parisian image. Each floor has been carefully renovated, with references to the Golden Age of Paris. Revolving around a large, majestic salon with a ceiling 14 metres high, the hotel proposes 268 rooms including 29 suites. The highpoint of this refurbishment is the presidential suite of 900 m2, bearing the name of Maria Callas. Hilton Paris Opera. 108, rue Saint-Lazare, Paris 8 (01 40 08 44 44).
Christian Le Squer, triple star-rated chef, perpetuates the art of living “à la française” with traditional cuisine which, in his expert hands, has gained in modernity and lightness. After taking over the kitchens at the George V in November, he has come up with a menu reflecting contemporary taste, which he describes as “brimming with emotions”. Four Seasons George V, 31 avenue George V, Paris 8 (01 49 52 71 54).
For its hotel guests and external clients, Le Meurice opens its restaurant each morning with a new breakfast formula called "Bonjour Bonheur". Several options are proposed. French, American, Well-being or Made-to-Measure "à la carte", each type of breakfast, served from 7 to 10.30 a.m. on weekdays and until 11.30 a.m. on weekends, gives precedence to top-notch products such as exclusive Christian Ferber jams from Alsace, Nubio fruit and vegetable juices selected by Alain Ducasse, gluten-free bread and pastries… Together with a wealth of old-fashioned treats prepared for gourmets by Pastry Chef Cédric Grolet. Le Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1 (01 44 58 10 10).
A member of the "Charm & More" collection which notably includes Le Benkiraï in Saint-Tropez, this new hotel in a Haussmann building was designed by star architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Located in the 9th arrondissement, the Hôtel de Nell consists of a suite and 33 rooms with an ambiance blending delicacy and the quintessence of luxury. Basking in light thanks to six very tall windows, the suite of 55 m2 distils a chic Parisian atmosphere. The Hôtel de Nell also proposes a bistro called "La Régalade du Conservatoire", and a 5 Mondes massage and treatment room. Hôtel de Nell, 7-9 rue du Conservatoire, Paris 9 (01 44 83 83 60).
At tea time, Le Qu4tre, the lounge at the Buddha-Bar Hôtel, proves to be a setting of real delicacy : precious materials, Japanese motifs, noble fabrics. An enchanting backcloth in which to sip tea accompanied by a pastry made by chef Guy Darcel, in this luxury 5-star addresss at the heart of the Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Buddha-Bar Hôtel, 4 rue d’Anjou, Paris 8 (01 83 96 88 88).
Christophe Moret took over management of the kitchens in this Parisian venue in January 2015. After winning his spurs with Bruno Cirino at the Grand Hôtel in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, then at the Château Eza in Eze before joining Jacques Maximin in Nice, the Chef demonstrated his talent with Alain Ducasse at the Louis XV in Monaco before taking on Paris at the Royal Monceau, Le Spoon, Plaza Athénée and the legendary Lasserre. A star-studded career for a Chef delighted to take up the reins of the three restaurants L’Abeille (2 star), Le Shang Palace (1 star) and the Hôtel La Bauhinia, where he now supervises the entire array of culinary offerings. Shangri-La, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 53 67 19 98).
On Valentine’s Day, the palatial hotel on Avenue Hoche opens its doors to residents of Paris for a night at a privileged rate ! Parisians can thus enjoy one of their most elegant “palaces” thanks to a formula including a night in a double room or junior suite with breakfast, unlimited access to the gym, hammam and pool at the Spa My Blend by Clarins - plus a surprise ! Proof of residence will be requested when you book your room. February 7th. Le Royal Monceau - Raffles, 37 avenue Hoche, Paris 8 (01 42 99 88 77).
In 2015, the Spa Valmont at the Meurice Hotel will be dedicating one evening per month to the discovery of new worlds devoted to well-being. On February 5th, the theme will thus be “Tout Schusss !”. On the programme, preparation combining exercises for suppleness, muscle toning and improved balance. Apprenticeship in care and recovery techniques after days spent on the slopes will also be addressed. An ideal evening to prepare for being on top form before confronting the ski-runs of Gstaad or Megève ! Meurice 228, rue de Rivoli, Paris 1 (01 44 58 10 10).
Chaired by Jacques Attali and comprised of Christophe Barbier, André Bercoff, Malek Chebel, François de Closets, Roger-Pol Droit, Luc Ferry, Caroline Fourest, Alexandre Lacroix, Aude Lancelin and Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, the jury for the “Prix Bristol des Lumières” deliberated on December 2nd and retained three essays for its 2015 vintage : “Jules Ferry et l’Enfant Sauvage” by Mara Goyet (Flammarion), “La France Périphérique” by Christophe Guilluy (Flammarion), and “Une Question de Taille” by Olivier Rey (Stock). Paying tribute to philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment, the prize rewards a philosophical, political or social essay published in the previous year. The winner - to be unveiled at the end of January on France Inter - will enjoy a night in a suite at the Bristol and be the guest of honour at an evening on the theme of “Books and Wine” open to the hotel’s clients. Le Bristol, 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8 (01 53 43 43 00).
Promoted to the rank of Officer of the National Order of Merit on November 15th last, Eric Frechon is in charge of the kitchens of L’Epicure at the Hôtel Bristol, which has just been elected the “World’s Best Hotel Restaurant” by the American magazines “Saveur” and “The Daily Meal”. Born in Normandy, Eric Frechon’s rigorous French cuisine is based on a neo-classic style with a touch of creativity. Winner of the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” award in 1993, he was distinguished by a third Michelin star in 2009, as well as the title “Chef of the Year” attributed by his peers. L’Epicure, Hôtel Bristol, 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8 (01 53 43 43 40).
Presented as a global “avant-première” at the Valmont Spa in the Hôtel Meurice, the exhibition “Collection d’Artistes” celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Swiss cosmetics brand consists of nine works, each in an edition of ten copies all signed by a contemporary artist, and all demonstrating a real quest for beauty. For the occasion, the spa in this palatial hotel proposes an exclusive treatment called “When Beauty Meets Art” : a modelage using a brush. Until January 9th. Hôtel Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1 (01 44 58 10 55).
Nestling at the heart of the 7th arrondissement, Le Cinq Codet is intended to offer a luxury pied-à-terre in Paris set around a leafy patio. Interior architect and designer Jean-Pierre Nuel has revamped this 1930’s building to provide a flagship hotel with 67 rooms in 29 different styles ! On the top floor, four magnificent suites with landscaped terraces unfurl a unique view of Paris, with the 300 year-old Dome of Les Invalides in the foreground, the Eiffel Tower on the other side. On the walls, almost 400 works by contemporary artists and photographers, either renowned or up-and-coming, create a special ambiance set off by exclusive furnishings designed by Elisabeth Garouste, Tom Dixon and Patricia Urquiola. Cinq Codet, 5 rue Louis Codet, Paris 7 (01 53 85 15 60)
To relax after year-end partying, the “Journée Détente” packages offered by the Carita spa at the Shangri-Là are just the ticket ! On the programme, face and body treatments of 1 hour each, with admission to installations in the well-being area, including the hotel’s sublime heated indoor pool, open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Shangri-La, Espace Bien-être, 10 avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16 (01 53 67 19 78).
