Tag Archives: best hotel in Paris

Hôtel Plaza Athénée . Paris, France

The Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris recently underwent a major renovation and is now, and always has been, the quintessential Parisian luxury hotel.  With spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower, your stay at The Hotel Plaza Athénée is sure to be an absolute delight.  Located on Avenue Montaigne, guests find themselves in the heart of Paris haute couture.

Since 1913, Hôtel Plaza Athénée has been delighting its guests with the ever-present Parisian charm from an unbeatable location, which is now even more perfect thanks to an amazing renovation.  The ambience creates a perfect escape and immersion into the Parisian lifestyle that everyone dreams of.  The hotel has updated its interiors to be even more impeccably decorated, and the new event rooms, including the sprawling ballroom, are inspired by Paris haute couture.

The Hôtel Plaza Athénée has 154 rooms and 54 suites, each perfect in its own uniquely fashionable way.  This is a perfect destination to bring the kids along too, as the renovation has perfected multiple kids’ rooms like the Barbie Room that will make your little ones go starry-eyed.  80% of the rooms are interconnected, making this hotel the ideal spot for the whole family.

Children get the VIP treatment at Hôtel Plaza Athénée – each child receives a stuffed animal to snuggle with, a cozy robe fit your your little prince or princess, or red slippers with teddy bears on them. The hotel also has a trustworthy nanny agency on hand in case Mom and Dad need a romantic evening in the City of Love.  There are plenty of family-friendly activities around Paris, including Parc de la Villette, Jardin d’acclimatation, Vincennes (flower gardens and zoo), the Cité des Sciences, the Palais de la découverte, and the unforgettable Disneyland Paris.

The Dior Institut at the Plaza Athénée Paris will provide you with a world-class spa experience.  Since the Spa opened in 1946, Christian Dior as maintained a strong relationship with the Hotel.  The ambiance is elegantly relaxing and something out of a dream.  Their philosophy, “the ultimate luxury experience for pure beauty,” epitomizes the Parisian spa experience that you will never forget.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

The Peninsula. Paris, France

The first word that comes to mind when I think of The Peninsula Paris would be grandeur. This Peninsula Paris is located in a late 19th century Haussmanian building, which first opened in 1908. The hotel closed for restoration (costing almost 1 billion dollars gasp!!!!) and re-opened in August 2014, nearly 6 years in the making. The heart of the hotel is in their stunning lobby. Adorned with curved ceiling, glistening chandeliers, marble floors, and contemporary furnishings, the grand entrance welcomes guests with a feeling of awe. An installation called “Dancing Leaves”, located in the lobby, is made of 800 hand-blown crystal leaves, but that is not the most impressive thing. In fact, 20,000 pieces of gold leaf have been applied throughout the public areas of the hotel, making the hotel to actually seem shimmering.

The rooms are inspired by Parisian architecture and fashion. Covered in soft tones of grey and cream, they are equally timeless and modern. Each room comes with the traditional Peninsula functionality, equipped with the latest tech gadgets, perfect for the modern luxury traveler. All the lights and switched are controlled with an iPad, which some find confusing and others love. The Premier Suite is amazing, best views in the house! The 1,075 square foot room has views of Avenue Kleber and the Eiffel Tower. In the mood for some oysters and champagne in the City of Love? Order it without ever having to leave your bubble bath for two from the interactive digital control tablet.

L’Oiseau Blanc, The hotel’s sixth floor restaurant, serves up no only stunning French cuisine, but also some of Paris’ most stunning views. Lili is the hotel’s Cantonese restaurant. The interior is modeled after the drama of a Chinese and French opera. Sit at the chef’s table and order the dim sum! If you’re just looking for a drink and a smoke, head to Lounge Kleber, a discreet lounge perfect for a cigar and a dirty martini.

The Peninsula Paris Spa is over 1,800 square meters of pure luxury. The menu of Oriental, Holistic, and European-inspired treatments would satisfy even the weariest of travelers. The Peninsula Paris is the hotel of the future in the way they combine the traditional with the futuristic. Classic glamour is seen in every detail of the hotel while their policy on the latest up-to-date technology is very apparent. This hotel is sure to find itself becoming a landmark of Paris like the monuments it surrounds.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

City Guide: 72 Hours in Paris

What is there to say about Paris that hasn’t already been said: The City of Love, La Ville-Lumière (City of Light), Couture Fashion Capital, and the epicenter of the Age of Enlightenment. Paris has been a muse to countless painters, writers, and poets extraordinaire. Always at the forefront of fashion and art, Paris is one of my all-time favorite cities.

I’ve compiled the newest and trendiest places to eat, sleep, and shop, with a few classics thrown into the mix. Enjoy my francophile Posh readers!

 

Thursday:

 

1:00 pm- Check-in to the best new hotel in Paris, The Peninsula Hotel. This hotel has the perfect location; it is steps away from the Champs-Elysées ant the Arc de Triomphe. This hotel was once a historic building, now mixed with contemporary furniture and deco art pieces.

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For another luxurious option, stay at The Shangri-La Paris. Dust yourself off at Le Bar with their signature cocktail, The Pink Lady.

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6:00pm-  Schedule a private tour of the Louvre at night with french wine tasting at the end.

8:30 pm- Head to Septime for a proper dinner. The food is superb and inventive, anyone who has ever been there only has rave reviews for this classy restaurant.

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11:00 pm- Le Silencio is the place to see top dogs in the Fashion and Film industries during Paris Fashion Week. This exclusive nightclub/concert venue/bar is a sure thing for a good night out.

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Friday:

 

10:00 am- If you wake up in time, head to Roland Mouret’s fashion Show. After, start your day wit some fresh fare at Café de Flore, the PFW staple.

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My other favorite that should not be missed is Cafe Angeline. Since it’s opening in 1903, Angelina became the place where the Parisian aristocracy hung out. Proust and Coco Chanel rubbed shoulders with the biggest names in fashion in Angelina’s salons.

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12:00 pm- It’s time to shop. If you like concept stores there is no place better that Le Royal Éclaireur. It is located on the ground floor of the Hotel Royal Monceau and carries a wide selection of men and women’s accessories.

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If you want something more personalized, Les Suites has stylists on hand to assist you with any request and have collection from designers such as Elie Saab and Giambattista Valli Haute Couture.

 

2:00 pm- Head to Bread & Roses, one of the only places in Paris that has homemade iced tea with a smorgasbord of pretty desserts.

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4:30 pm- Check out the newest exhibit at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. They have a French lacquer and Chinese object exhibition all through 2014.

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9:30 pm- Caviar Kaspia is the best late-night dinner spot. Lots of caviar and vodka- you cant go wrong!

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12:00 am- Le Montana is the Parisian version of Studio 54. It is the most exclusive club in the city.

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Saturday:

 

10:00 am- Le Café Marly is a classic; located in the center of Paris this is a great place to take a break between shows. Sit on the sunny terrace and have a café au lait.

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2:00 pm- Dine at Ralph’s, the restaurant is located in the beautiful Ralph Lauren mansion in Saint-Germain. This is the perfect place for lunch when you need a break from fine French dining and have a craving for classic American fare.

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4:30pm- Attend a Fashion Show: Vivienne Westwood, one of my favorite designers will be showcasing her new looks at 4:30pm sharp!

8:30PM- For your last night, dine like a celebrity at La Société, another success by the Costes Brothers. This restaurant is located in the heart of St. Germain des Prés in a glamorous setting designed by Christian Liaigre and serves renowned fare such as their Spicy Seabass Tartar or a fabulous club sandwich.

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Or dine at Carette, the Hubert de Givenchy bistro known for its world-famous chocolate éclairs.

11:00PM- For another late night out (Paris is not called the City that Sleeps people!!), have drinks with friends Raspoutine. This place used to be a former bordello that later became a well-known cabaret club and now a hotspot for models, billionaires and fashion society. 

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Sunday: 

 

11:00 am- Brunch at Rose Bakery. Their quiche Lorraine is trés fantastique!

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2:00pm- The flea market les Puces de Saint-Ouen is the best place to find hidden gems such as vintage furniture, clothes, or vinyl.

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4:00 pm- One last fashion show: Chloé is a girly girl’s dream designer. Don’t miss her show!

 

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