THE MOST ICONIC PALACE IN PARIS
After extensively travelling the world for several years, I finally have to state the obvious : Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world! It seems anywhere you go in the world, you can always find a little bit of French culture. I was quite surprised to see so many French bakeries in Japan. People didn’t mind waiting 20 minutes just to get a ‘croissant’. Despite globalisation and modernisation, Paris has kept its unique ‘art de vivre’ and old fashioned atmosphere, it is also because the city has never been destroyed by catastrophe or war, unlike many other capitals. While walking the old pedestrian streets of the capital, or simply enjoying a ‘café crême’ on a terrace, you may feel transported to another century. Although the French have the reputation, of being a little arrogant, or quite limited with their ‘english’, let me tell you that things are truly changing. All the vendors we work with are extremely kind, fluent in English, and of course are very talented !
Whether you are visiting the capital, and considering treating yourself into a gorgeous hotel room for your stay, or perhaps looking for a perfect venue for your wedding, I have listed the most exquisite palace just for you.
The Meurice
Staying at the Meurice is like taking part of the French history ! It stand proudly on the rue de rivoli, between Place de la Concorde and opposite the jardin de tuileries. In the 18th century, Charles-Augustin Meurice wanted to welcome english tourists with very hight standards, and make them feel like there were home. It was one of the first hotel in Paris, where all the staff was speaking fluently english. The hotel features 160 rooms decorated in the style of Louis XVI. Le Meurice has experienced several major refurbishments to modernise the design. Most notably in 1998, when it was purchased for 100$ million by the Aga Khan, the spiritual head of the Moslem Ismaili sect, and later, in 2007, by the famous architect Philippe Starck. The palace served as a backdrop of several movie including Angel-A ( luck besson), les femmes de l’ombre ( Jean Paul Salomé ) & Midnight in Paris ( Woodie Alen ). The hotel has also accommodated several kings and other eminent guests, such has Salvador Dalí who spent about a month of each year over 30 years in the old Royal Suite.
Hôtel le Meurice, 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
The Peninsula
Formerly known as the Hotel Majestic, the Peninsula reopened in 2014, after 4 years of intensive restoration by Vinci Construction for a total of 338$ millions. The new jewel in Paris is located on the Avenue Kléber in the 16th arrondissement. You cannot miss the two dragons statue that proudly stand at the entrance, which was designed by Richard martinet. First opened in 1908, it got quickly converted in 1936 into offices for the headquarters of the German military during the Nazi occupation. The hotels features 200 rooms and 34 magnificent suites and some salon ready to host your extravagant destination wedding. The amazing interior has been been designed by Henry Leung of Hong Kong-based Chadda Siembieda & Associates Ltd. You might also be inspired while staying in one of the rooms, like the great George Gershwin who wrote ‘An American in Paris’ in 1928.
Hotel The Peninsula Paris, 19 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris
The Ritz
Currently closed until 2016 for a major multi million dollar renovation, the extraordinary palace ranked very high among the most prestigious hotels in the world. It overlooks the central Place Vendôme and was first opened in 1898 by César Ritz, in collaboration with the chef Auguste Escoffier. During the Second World War, the hotel was occupied by the Germans as their headquarters. Sold in 1979 to the businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed, who tragically pasted away with the princess Diana soon after having dinner at the hotel. Several suites are named in honor of the celebrity who stayed in the palace such as Ernest Hemingway & Coco Chanel. Among the fantastic bars & restaurant, L’Espadon has a prestigious reputation and attract some of the best chefs on earth.
Hôtel le Ritz, 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris
The Four Season George V
This opulent Art Deco palace with an inner courtyard is located right in the upscale shopping district, also known as the gold triangle. Two blocks away from the bustling Champs-Élysées avenue and a walking distance to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, or Musée d’Orsay, you will be astonished by the peaceful atmosphere that feel in it. Built in 1928 , it became the property of the Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia. The 244 guest rooms and 59 suites are designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon with opulent piece of art in the style of Louis XVI. The palace feature a fantastic restaurant ‘Le cinq’ by the Michelin-starred Chef Eric Briffard. The lobby itself just worth the visit as it is always decorated in great style by Jeff Heathman ’and his team.
Hotel Four Season, 31 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris
The Shangri La
This historic palace, which numerous rooms ans salons are classified monuments in Paris, is located in the 16th arrondissement , on the antique domain of Nimio. It was built by Ernest Janty in 1892 and serve as a mansion for the one & only Roland Bonaparte. It became later a monastery in the middle age. In 1910, it also became the headquarter of the Société de Géographie (French, “Geographical Society”), the world’s oldest geographical society directed by Napoleon’s nephew. It got redesigned in 1929, five years after the death of the Prince, by the architect Michel Roux-Spitz. After extensive renovation, the hotel reopened at the end of 2010. A few minutes walk to the Palais de Tokyo, each room features marbleblast bathrooms with heated floors. The best suite have terraces with an outstanding Eiffel Tower views. If you are looking to indulge yourself , try the The Pink Lady, the Bar’s signature cocktail, or L’Abeille, the michelin stared hotel’s French gastronomic restaurant.
Hôtel Shangri-La, 10 Avenue d’Iéna, 75116 Paris
The Mandarin Oriental
The 2011 brand new hotel, which is located on the iconic rue saint honoré, features 99 guest rooms and 39 suites. The room and spa were designed by Sybille de Marguerite while Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku imagined the bar and restaurants. It features the largest indoor courtyard, and probably the biggest and most luxurious spa in Paris. The hotel has 3 fine restaurants and bars, all under Michelin star winning Chef Thierry Marx. Only six months after opening, the restaurant “Sur Mesure » directed by Chef Thierry Marx was awarded two stars in the 2012 Michelin Guide. The lucky guests of the hotel can enjoy the incredible spa with feature several gorgeous treatment suites, a hammam, and a fitness center, and at last but not least, a 14 m magnificent swimming pool. I invite you to indulge yourself for a tea time into their fabulous Cake Shop, located nearby the lobby, where they serve the finest cakes, pastries !
Hôtel Mandarin Oriental, 251 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
The Plaza Athenee
On the avenue Montaigne, a short walk from Avenue des Champs-Élysée, stands the legendary Plaza Athenee, which opened its doors in 1913. Offering 154 ornate rooms ans 54 suites to a discerning clientele, the hotel was extensively renovated and extended by Jean-Jacques Ory in 2013, for 200 million euros. The interior were entirely redesigned by Bruno Moinard. The palace also feature 4 renowned restaurants which are just delightful ! In 2000, Alain Ducasse made the hotel his home, and serve now daily his haute cuisine restaurant at the Relais Plaza (classical French cuisine). Le Bar du Plaza, with its unique transparent bar, is also a popular night spot where you can meet models and VIP’s clients. The palace features several magnificent salons to host your wedding in Paris. If you are a fan of Carry Bradshow , you ‘ll probably recognize the hotel which was used as a decor for the TV show Sex and the City.
Hotel Plaza Athenée, 25 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
Of course, there are other amazing 5 stars hotels such as the Crillon, the Westin, the Fouquet’s Barriere, the Bristol or the Hyatt Vendôme, where you would welcomed in the finest french hospitality standarts. Perhaps we’ll talk about those in another article. Paris is waiting for you !
Sumptuous Events, your destination wedding planner agency in Paris.
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