Tag Archives: France

Hôtel Plaza Athénée . Paris, France

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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.

Les Fermes de Marie. Megève, France.

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Full of elegance and charm, Megève is the secret hot spot for the French elite to go skiing and wellness. Les Fermes de Marie is a complex of 9 ski chalets in Megève, constructed with materials taken from the forests of the mountain, this ski chalet is several centuries old. Every antique, beam, marble piece has a story to tell and while staying at Les Fermes de Marie, you will have the innate feeling you are staying in some very prestigious wooden ski chalet. If you’re looking for a place to let your kids be kids, and the adults have adult time, the chalet comes with a space for the younger generation designed especially for them, the Hameau des Enfants. 

The rooms are designed with high-vaulted wooden ceilings, hand-crafted wooden furniture, and a bed adorned with furs that looks so cozy I could hibernate in it for the rest of the winter. Almost all the rooms come with a balcony or terrace and a bathroom with a deep soaking tub to release that winter ache. The staff’s favorite room in the chalet is ‘La Suite Blanche’. This chalet of 90 m² faces the village of Megève and contains a lounge with a fireplace and terrace, a bedroom with two beds, and a small bedroom with one bed, perfect for a large family! You can also choose to stay in one of their two private chalets, Chalets des Fermes de Marie or Le Chalet Chatel.

When meal time comes, you can choose from 5 dining options. Restaurant Traditionnel cooks balanced stove-top meals, loaded with flavor and protein. My favorite meal at the restaurant is the Coquillettes aux truffes et jambon de sauget (coquillettes with truffles and ham of Sauget). Restaurant Alpin is more casual, but centered around Alpine delicacies. They also always have a dessert cart out, so that’s where you’ll find me during dinner time!

The Spa as Les Fermes de Marie, is my favorite pastime at this magical chalet, developed by the Pure Altitude brand. There are 17 individual treatment cabins at your disposal. This spa focuses on gentle movements on the body combined with the right natural ingredients to evoke stress-reducing chemicals. My favorite treatment is the ‘Energétique des Alpes’ Ritual. It’s a massage-treatment combining manual techniques with linen bags full of salts and mountain plants, a balancing, draining and relaxing treatment.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

The Peninsula. Paris, France

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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.

Four Seasons du Cap Ferrat. Cap Ferrat, France

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Though it goes without saying, because even the name instills its prestige, Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat is one of the most renowned and sophisticated hotels I have ever had the privilege of staying at. Even before you walk through the huge open doors to reception, the 17-acre property makes you feel like you have stepped on some famous French landmark.

This hotel has attracted everyone from celebrities to royalty, and it’s easy to see why. Located on the tip of the Mediterranean sea, Cap Ferrat has some of the most beautiful views in the South of France as well as its own garden, which for me turned into a maze of flowers and aromas.

This oasis extends into every detail of the rooms and suites. Each room comes with a stunning view of the Cote d’Azur, beautifully hand-picked artwork, and all white furniture. The elegance of the rooms is unparalleled and if you’re up for it, book the Roof Top Suite. Your views will extend from Monaco to Cannes and it is unlikely to be forgotten.

The gem of this hotel is Club Dauphin. An infinity pool sits on the edge of the Mediterranean and there is beach access to the water where you can go cliff jumping, if you dare! The coolest part about this is you have to take your own cliffside elevator down to the club! The club also comes equipped with a poolside restaurant/bar and you must not miss their marinated tuna at the poolside restaurant, it is unbelievably fresh. The pool is also very child-friendly, with a 2-foot wading pool attached to the main pool.

Eat at La Veranda, overlooking the ocean and the bright town of Nice. People come from all over trying to eat at this restaurant so it is imperative you make a reservation. Although I would consider myself a foodie, the cherry on top to a restaurant for me would be the dessert menu, and boy has Cap Ferrat outdone itself. Do not miss an opportunity to order the Pot au Chocolat  and thank me later.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Shangri-La Hotel. Paris, France

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Flowers, pastel colors and fairytale rooms are just the just right combination for the parfait mother’s day voyage.

It’s in a city where food is more appetizing, love is more fervent, and fashion is more creative. Any ideas? You guessed right, my beloved Paris. A city in which no matter what tasteful corner you turn on, it will always take your breath away.

After carefully researching for my dream hotel (if I were a mother of a human and not my dear puppy), I came up with the most enchanting property ever, Shangri-La Paris.
It was built in 1896 by Napoleon’s grandnephew, Prince Roland Bonaparte, so you can be sure that luxury emerges from every corner of the hotel.

As you walk in through the ever-so-French elegant façade, the royal treatment will begin in this quiet residential area of the 16th arrondissement.

The best part of the whole stay is walking into your room and seeing before you the finest view of the iconic Eiffel Tower welcoming you to the city of lights. Oddly enough Prince Bonaparte was not a big fan of his knockout view, so he asked for his master bedroom to be built in the opposite direction.

Yes, the guestrooms are superb, but the bathrooms are something else. They feature marble bathrooms, gorgeous floor to ceiling windows (which I love), heated floors, rainfall showers and silk-threaded wallpaper. The silver accents and orchids complete the tasteful and lavish look.

The service is so exquisitely detailed and precise, that from the moment you set foot in the hotel, you will feel like you are living in your Parisian mansion. Note that a few dozen uber-qualified staff will be at your service at all times. They also make you feel that their sole purpose of existence is to please you, which is pretty awesome.

Dining has to be the best part. The hotel currently lays claim to two Michelin rated restaurants: L’Abeille and Shang Palace. Executive Chef Philippe Labbé of L’Abeille was also recognized as the Cuisinier de l’Année 2013, which basically means he is the best cook in Paris. Quite an accomplishment I would say.

Since I like saving the best for last, I left the Spa for the end. This was the final piece in my puzzle in order to rate this hotel as the best and most luxurious new hotel in Paris.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

La Villa Gallici. Aix-en-Provence, France

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Time stood still at this quintessential hotel in Aix-en-Provence. This 18th century Provençal house and its surroundings (member of Relais et Châteaux) were once Paul Cezanne’s inspiration to paint the complex fields he is so renown for.

The typical original French furniture, fabric, smell and cuisine welcome you to a destination you will never want to leave. Once you walk outside and see the seven-acre garden, relaxing pool and the quaint lounge areas, you will fall in love with Villa Gallici, the way all their guests do.

Each bedroom was exquisitely decorated with its own charm, however, the Classic King Room that happens to be the most economical room, is terrific.

What I found to be the most impressive fact of this historical Inn, is that most of the objects you use during your stay date back to the 18th century, hence treat them with utter care and no red wine in the sofa!

Now, I saved the best for last… dinner. The testing seasonal menu feature Mediterranean and Provencal delights. The favorite is the duck with white truffle honey.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.