Luxury hotels of Paris: Part 2
It’s no secret that Paris’ luxury hotel space is a crowded one, likely unrivalled anywhere in the world.
And it will only get hotter with a slew of new openings due including Bulgari, Cheval Blanc, and J.K. Place’s first foray outside of Italy…
Part 2 of our ‘Luxury hotels of Paris’ showcases seven impressive properties around the Vendôme area and the shopping heavens of rue Saint-Honoré and rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
All the properties featured below are available with exclusive amenities and benefits when you book your sojourn with Sojourns Of. Take advantage of my personal relationships, inside knowledge and access to make your stay SO perfect.
RITZ PARIS
https://www.ritzparis.com/en-GB
15 place Vendôme ● 75001 Paris
If there is one hotel synonymous with luxury in Paris, it must be the famous Ritz Paris – after all, where do you think the term ‘ritzy’ originated from? Located on prestigious Place Vendôme, the hotel opened in 1898 within a building dating back to 1705. An instant hit under Swiss hotelier César Ritz, the Ritz has remained a beacon for the fashion-set and personalities through to today.
The iconic ‘Palace’-graded hotel was closed down in 2012, and four years later it emerged in its current form following an extensive €400M renovation. Styling very much held true to the hotel’s DNA, and from the moment you enter the intimate lobby and public spaces, you have a real sense of place – this hotel is Paris through and through.
The hotel is gorgeous. Some will say that the Ritz is ‘stuffy’, however, I would argue that this is entirely subjective and often unfounded thought. In many other cities, perhaps the décor would be too much and the style would be out of place. However, this is Paris! This is what you want and what you expect when you are looking to stay in one of the top palace properties in the city. From the moment you enter off the Place Vendôme, you know you’ve entered somewhere so Paris, and so special.
I absolutely love wandering around the hotel – L’Espadon, Bar Vendôme, Salon Proust and the famous Bar Hemingway and the more low-key Ritz Bar are all inviting areas to enjoy. A highlight must be the hotel’s gorgeous gardens – which are quite large for a city hotel, especially Paris, and surely a nice surprise for those not familiar with the property and in warmed months, one can enjoy long, relaxing lunches in the tranquil space.
On our visit in the midst of fashion week chaos, we only were able to see one suite (of 142 rooms, roughly half are suites), but what a suite. The Windsor Suite (#133) is a stunning first floor suite with incredibly high ceilings and windows showcasing views straight out to the Vendôme Column. A favourite of the exiled Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the suite is very special, beautifully furnished, and is the only suite accessible by a private elevator from the carpark – perfect for those looking to fly under the radar.
One of the standout facilities at the hotel is the vast subterranean pool complex (unfortunately closed during our visit for the Zadig & Voltaire fashion show scheduled that evening), the centrepiece of the member-style The Ritz Club Paris which also includes the first and only Chanel spa in the world – no doubt homage to Coco herself who so loved the hotel and has a Prestige Suite dedicated to her.
This is a fabulous property most discerning guests will certainly be pleased with. Sojourns Of clients are treated very well with benefits included guaranteed upgrades at time of booking, luxury VIP airport transfers including welcome at the door of the aircraft, and flexible arrival and departure times.
SO exceptional
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Leading Hotels of the World VITA
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PARIS
https://www.mandarinoriental.com/paris/place-vendome/luxury-hotel
251 Rue Saint-Honoré ● 75001 Paris
The Mandarin Oriental was an incredibly welcome addition to Paris’ luxury hotel scene when it opened its doors to guests in 2011. Housed behind a restored art deco façade, the property is a rarity in that it eschews the usual Parisian style favoured by its competitors for a much sharper and contemporary style, perfectly fusing French elegance and Mandarin Oriental’s Asian pedigree.
You’re in a great location here amongst the fashion boutiques of rue Saint-Honoré, just around the corner from Place Vendôme, and, if it’s your thing, right next door to Hôtel Costes and its infamous courtyard restaurant (come on, the strawberries and cream is pretty delicious, especially when served with a side of Naomi Campbell!).
The hotel has a wide range of facilities befitting its revered ‘Palace’ status. An intimate lobby leads to cool and contemporary public areas – from the slick dual Michelin-starred Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx to the gorgeous courtyard and bar whose concept is frequently changed throughout the year. Below decks you’ll find an impressively designed and extensive wellness area, including a large pool.
Amongst the largest in Paris, the hotel’s 135 rooms and suites are well designed for modern travellers, right from the entry level Deluxe Rooms (we visited #208) through to the suites, of which we had the privilege to visit a number. The contemporary feel of the rooms was a welcome differentiating after visiting a number of more traditional properties – the bathrooms are especially great here.
Couture Suites are great (we saw #601) and are very spacious at 90 sqm with each of the two featuring either a kitchen or kitchenette and a bar area. Stepping up a level again, we visited what must be one of the most impressive suites in the city – the Mandarin Penthouse Suite. The two-level suite is vast at 255 sqm with a gorgeous double height living area and a bathroom with views of the Eiffel Tower. Very special indeed.
We also had the privilege of being shown the latest edition to the hotel, The Parisian Apartment. Conceived perhaps partly in response to the hotel not offering such a sense of place as its competitors, the huge suite is a modern Haussmann dream. As a single level, four-bedroom suite with kitchen, two living rooms and 230 sqm terrace, you’ll be looking at a cool €20,000 per night for the experience.
SO contemporary
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club
PARK HYATT PARIS-VENDÔME
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/france/park-hyatt-paris-vendome/parph
5 Rue de la Paix ● 75002 Paris
Located just off Place Vendôme as you head towards the magnificent Opéra Garnier along the chic rue de la Paix, the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme is perfectly located in one of the city’s best areas. A long-time personal favourite, the hotel is a tranquil retreat in Paris with a delightful blend of contemporary and Parisian elegance as imagined by legendary designer Ed Tuttle (of Aman fame).
A Palace-rated property, the Park Hyatt is one of Paris’ more contemporary options and should definitely be on your list if this is what you’re after. The lobby and common areas are intimate and flow seamlessly from one to another as you pass from the Haussmann exterior through to the hotel’s quiet courtyard. It all has a very nice vibe and you can sense it is a local favourite given the bustling lunchtime crowd enjoying the hotel’s delightful Sens restaurant.
Elsewhere around the hotel, there is a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant and a Le Bar with entertainment on a few evenings each week. The courtyard is a delight where installations change with the seasons and in winter, a chalet is constructed – Le Chalet du Park – where you can enjoy winter themed treats. A day spa is available, however, unfortunately there is no pool at the property.
The hotel’s 155 rooms, including 44 suites, are kept very fresh – a recent renovation has achieved great results at modernising facilities whilst keeping the unique contemporary features that repeat guests know and love. Rooms are some of the largest in Paris with entry Park Rooms being 26-30 sqm, however, Sojourns Of clients will enjoy a guaranteed upgrade at time of booking to generous 40 sqm Deluxe Rooms.
Unfortunately, but fortunately for the hotel, occupancy was very high during our fashion week visit (and coincidently it was a fashion house in a past life and remains a favourite with the fashion set), so we were only able to visit one room which was a Prestige Suite (#333). These are very well sized rooms, some overlooking rue de la Paix and have a very homely feel with the feature fireplace. Chic and contemporary, think décor that utilises the best of limestone, mahogany wood, and soft gold trimmings, along with artistic touches for lighting and other features. A tip would be to request second or third floor rooms for their high ceilings or those on the fifth or sixth if you prefer more traditional Parisian mansard style.
I really love the Park Hyatt. Perhaps it is the hotel’s signature Blaise Mautin scent that captivated me many years ago on my first stay and which I now make a point of stopping in to buy the candle each time I visit Paris…
SO fashionable
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Hyatt Privé
HÔTEL DE CRILLON, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-de-crillon
10 Place de la Concorde ● 75008 Paris
The Hôtel de Crillon, under Rosewood, took the Paris hotel scene by storm when it reopened in mid-2017 after over four years being closed for a broad €200M renovation. Facing the stunning Place de la Concorde (King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were guillotined directly in front of the building…), the building is one of the most beautiful in Paris constructed in 1758 after being commissioned by King Louis XV. It is one of two identical buildings (the other being the Hôtel de la Marine), separated by the rue Royale which runs from the square to the Madeleine.
The location is fantastic – you’re right in the centre of Paris here and walking distance to all the main attractions and areas of interest. A short walk along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées past the Jardin des Champs-Élysées and the Grand Palais will have you at Avenue Montaigne. Head across Pont de la Concorde for La Rive Gauche. Tracking west through the gorgeous Jardin des Tuileries you will find the Louvre. And of course, you are steps from the rue Saint-Honoré and Vendôme areas. Paris is a walking city, and like all hotels in this area, the Crillon is a great base for this.
Public areas are gorgeous here and really showcase the buildings historic past. Les Ambassadeurs, the hotel’s signature bar, is a simply stunning room, whilst Jardin d’Hiver offers intimate space for afternoon tea, Brasserie d’Aumont is an enjoyable upscale Parisian brasserie, and of course a gastronomic offering is available at L’Ecrin. The lobby is intimate and befitting of this type of hotel and the hotel has a spa, pool, fitness centre, hair salon and men’s grooming room available for guests.
The hotel has a total of 124 rooms on offer to guests, of which 46 are suites, including a number of signature suites, some facing the Place de la Concorde, and two designed by the late and great Karl Lagerfeld. We were able to see a Grand Premier Room (#317) which is the largest of the room categories at around 43 sqm. They are very well designed and furnished and are akin to a small junior suite in terms of space and facilities.
Stepping up to a Premier Suite (we saw #311), the middle category of suites, will give you 57 sqm of space which has been well utilised. Some in this category will have a powder room making them ideal for meetings as some of my clients have done so, some offer connecting rooms. All have slightly different décor and themes, along with special touches and facilities which add to the high-end residential feel that permeates throughout the hotel – particularly given the lovely wooden floors and art that features. Bathrooms are sublime.
This is one of the most special properties in Paris. It’s intimate in size whilst having all the atmosphere one could seek whilst in the city. Rosewood is running this property exceptionally well – a number of Sojourns Of clients are repeat visitors and first timers are wowed by the service levels, the luxurious accommodations and facilities that respectfully balance the building’s past with contemporary design, and the refined standards to which the hotel operates.
SO superior
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite
LE MEURICE
https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/paris/le-meurice/
228 rue de Rivoli ● 75001 Paris
Location, location, location. Another Sojourns Of favourite, Le Meurice is one of Paris’ classic grande dames – in fact, it was the first purpose-built Parisian palace-style hotel to open in 1835. Perfectly located on the rue de Rivoli opposite the vast Tuileries and moments from the Place Vendôme, the hotel offers a magic setting for visitors to the city.
Owned and operated by the Dorchester Collection, Le Meurice is one of two hotels belonging to the group of nine hotels in Paris – the other being the famed Hotel Plaza Athénée. A ‘Palace’ hotel (awarded in 2011), the property really is synonymous with the city, and its quiet elegance and atmosphere coupled with its front garden being the Tuileries make it a special place that is destined to stand the test of time.
Entering the hotel from the rue de Rivoli, you’re welcomed into a relatively small lobby area with much of this ground floor area dedicated to dining, the highlight being the hotel’s two Michelin-starred Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse. Spaces are classic Parisian with its Louis VI style, with touches of contemporary design most notably homages to Salvador Dali following a revamp by Philippe Starck in 2007 – the Meurice was one of the first hotels to work with the famed designer, who returned in 2016 to revamp further the restaurants and bar.
We saw two of the properties 160 rooms and suites. The first was a Deluxe Room (#516) which would be the lead-in category for Sojourns Of clients through our preferred agency partnership with Dorchester Collection Diamond Club. These rooms are generous in size at around 40 sqm and an ongoing refresh is bringing a more contemporary, lighter colour palate to the rooms. Notably, these rooms will not have the famous park views with this room overlooking one of the hotel’s courtyards.
We were fortunate enough to visit one of the hotels most recently refurbished suites – a Prestige Suite (#406) – which has been lifted to a very high standard which would please any guest looking for this style of property in this category. It would be a challenge to find a property with better views of Paris once you’re into rooms that feature the park views. This suite’s balconies had 180 degree views of Paris with many of its major landmarks visible. It truly is a magnificently enchanting view.
Le Meurice is a wonderful hotel. It might not be as complete of a package as some competitors, but it offers a truly Parisian experience in arguably one of the best locations in the entire city. The property is kept in incredible condition and as more rooms are refurbished, this will stay the case. It is a fascinating place where 18th-century splendour and innovative modern comforts sit happily side-by-side.
SO enchanting
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Dorchester Collection Diamond Club
LE BRISTOL PARIS
https://www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/le-bristol-paris/
112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré ● 75008 Paris
At the quieter end of the Saint-Honoré mecca for luxury shoppers, you’ll find one of the most delightful hotels in all of Paris. Le Bristol is well deserving of its reputation as one of the finest properties in the city – it was the graded as the first ‘Palace’ hotel in 2011 – and would offer any discerning guest a special experience which is apparent from the moment you enter the open lobby space complete with piano player.
With 190 rooms (over half being suites), you would not initially consider Le Bristol to be a boutique hotel. However, the design of the property is such that it lends itself to feel smaller than it is. Quintessentially French and unashamedly Parisian, the property has undertaken a five-year project to update all the rooms to a more contemporary style.
This update of a classic has flowed through other areas of the hotel too, including an initiative called ‘BAD’ (Bristol After Dark) at the hotel’s bar on Friday and Saturday nights which is designed to attract a different clientele to this Parisian classic. And it works – the property is very anchored to locals in the city with up to 80% of patrons to the hotels various food and beverage outlets being Parisians – this was obviously the case on the day we visited in the lobby restaurant.
The property is very proud of its gastronomic excellence with four Michelin stars held between the exclusive three-star Epicure and the one-star brasserie 114 Faubourg. The hotel’s casual Café Anotinia was bustling with locals and guests during our visit and is a favourite amongst Parisians. Epicure overlooks the hotel’s stunning courtyard garden which always features modern art instalments. And if you’re lucky, you might be able to arrange a tour of the hotel’s own chocolate factory and their working mill and bakery.
One of my favourite features of the hotel is the hotel’s rooftop swimming pool which is designed so classically – you almost feel as if you’re on an old ocean liner – and features a painting of the Oekter family approaching the coast and their property on the Côte d'Azur – the famous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc at Cap d'Antibes. It’s simply gorgeous with incredible 360-degree views of Paris – from Sacré-Cœur rising above Montmarte, to the Eiffel Tower.
We saw a number of rooms at the property. Suite 1925 is dedicated to Josephine Baker and has a wonderfully homely feel with views of the Eiffel Tower. Deluxe Rooms (we saw #134) are very well sized at 50-55 sqm. I would recommend rooms on the first floor here as they will have a small terrace overlooking the hotel’s gardens. Suites are also a very good size with some having two full bathrooms. The hotel has almost completed a refresh of all the guest rooms, and past guests will appreciate the updated approach to décor whilst not losing its Parisian soul.
Finally, the hotel will delight families and it is likely one of the most family-friendly properties in this market in the city. There is a small child-minding area and service adjacent to the spa, and I’m sure that Fa-Raon, the hotel’s famous resident Burmese cat will bring a smile to all guests faces, young and old.
This is a special property and very much deserving of its ‘Happy Guest Award 2019’ discerned by the Leading Hotels of the World.
SO classic
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Leading Hotels of the World VITA, Oetker Collection Pearl Partner
LA RÉSERVE HOTEL & SPA
https://www.lareserve-paris.com/en/
42 Avenue Gabriel ● 75008 Paris
Have we saved the best for last? Possibly. La Réserve is simply perfect. Tucked away in a quiet pocket opposite the Jardin des Champs-Élysées mid-way between Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne, the hotel feels like it is an oasis right in the heart of Paris. It’s peaceful location is deceptive – you really are steps from Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées, whilst surrounded by state institutions such as the Élysée Palace (official residence of the President of the French Republic) and various foreign embassies.
This is a gorgeous boutique hotel originally constructed as a residence for the Duc de Morny, half-brother to Napoleon III, with the building dates from 1854. Once you enter through the signature red doors into the decadent imperial Louis VI décor of the hotel’s lobby, you know you’re in for a treat. Whilst smaller – the property has only 40 rooms, with most being suites – and less intimidating than the Ritz, La Reserve is by no means less of a lavish and decadent property – it’s just much more discreet.
The property very much has a feeling of a private house – there is no formal entry and your first interaction with the property will likely take place in the Salon. Slightly off the tourist trail (very slightly), the intimate spaces of La Reserve bestow it a sense of exclusive privacy which will very much be welcomed by guests.
Whilst small, the property has all the hallmarks of a larger palace property – a full-service spa, a generous pool, gym and multiple dining options including the signature Restaurant le Gabriel (with just 40 covers), which earned chef Jérome Banctel two Michelin stars in 2017. I very much enjoyed breakfast at La Pagode de Cos, the hotel's stylish, all-day brasserie-restaurant.
Rooms are sumptuous without being overbearing. They are very much in the feel of an updated Haussmann apartment. Given the timing of our visit, the only room available for us to view was a stunning Eiffel Suite which overlooked Avenue Gabriel with gorgeous views of Paris’ most famed landmark as well as the Grand Palais across the park. A wonderful space, the 80 sqm suite has a tastefully muted décor with contemporary touches and an incredible bathroom (possibly the best we saw in Paris) featuring a freestanding tub and marble on marble.
This is a truly brilliant property and, to be honest, at the time of writing is without competition in Paris – although there are some openings to come which may change this. In the meantime, La Réserve absolutely rose to the challenge (if there was one) of providing all that people love about Paris’ famous palace properties but wrapped up in an oh-so-chic, exclusive boutique package. The result? Perfection.
SO sublime
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Leading Hotels of the World VITA