October 28, 2025 • 25 mins
The source provides a comprehensive guide to the ultimate luxury hotels in Paris, asserting that choosing the right accommodation is essential for elevating the Parisian experience. It details ten top properties, including historic institutions like the Hôtel Ritz Paris and modern icons like the Hôtel Madame Rêve, describing their specific amenities, history, location, and ideal clientele. Each entry highlights the hotel's distinguishing features, such as the Four Seasons Hotel George V's five Michelin stars and the Shangri-La's direct Eiffel Tower views, focusing heavily on culinary excellence and opulent design. Ultimately, the text offers recommendations for various traveler types, suggesting that these hotels are integral to experiencing the city's romance, art, and history.
Bonjour France is your weekly escape to the heart of French life. Join Author Adidas Wilson as we journey beyond the Eiffel Tower — from cobblestone streets in Provence to seaside cafés on the Riviera. Discover hidden villages, timeless traditions, and the art of living à la française.
Bonjour France is your weekly escape to the heart of French life. Join Author Adidas Wilson as we journey beyond the Eiffel Tower — from cobblestone streets in Provence to seaside cafés on the Riviera. Discover hidden villages, timeless traditions, and the art of living à la française.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the deep dive today. We are opening a door.
Well not just into travel.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
No, not just travel, We're diving into the history, the artistry.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
And the pure underdulterated opulence.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Really of Paris exactly cares the city of Light. It's
this unique blend history, romance.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Art and gastronomy.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Can't forget that crucially dystronomy. And you know, to really
explore this city, your base camp needs to be more
than just well, more than just a bed for the night.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Absolutely, that's what makes Paris different, isn't it. The best
hotels there they aren't just places to stay. They're woven
right into the fabric of the whole Parisian experience.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
They really are.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
I mean, they're officially certified as palace hotels for a reason.
They elevate the whole trip, the service, the luxury, the locations.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
You're right on the historical stage precisely. So our mission
today is a deep dive, really customized for you, into
the absolute kreme de la creme of Parisian hospitality. We've
looked through sources detailing the top ten properties.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
These aren't just hotels, they're destinations themselves.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
That's the key we're exploring what makes each one the
absolute pinnacle of comfort and style, whether it's you know,
that opulent grandeur or more of a boutique intimacy.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Okay, So the core question we're really tackling for you
today is how do these super exclusive places get and
keep that coveted palace hotel status, and maybe more importantly,
what unique, unforgettable experience does each one actually offer you,
the discerning traveler.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
We're digging for those nuggets of knowledge, the things that
really define ultra luxury in the capital of elegance.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Let's start at the beginning, then with the legends.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Let's do it the founding institutions, the ones that basically
invented the modern luxury hotel as we know it. Right, So,
if you trace the lineage of Parisian luxury hospitality, it
leads you street to the first arrondissement, to fifteen plus
Mondom the Ritz Paris, the Ritz found by the man
himself sees our Ritz way back in eighteen ninety eight.
(01:58):
This place isn't just a hotel, It's kind of the
definition of Parisian luxury.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Yeah, and what's so compelling, I think, is Ritz's original vision.
It wasn't just about luxury in the modern sense, O.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
No, entirely.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
He wanted it to feel like a perfectly run private
home for the absolute elite.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
That was the key insight he figured out.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
They wanted privacy, high ceilings and amazingly revolutionary.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Then a bathroom in every room that was huge at
the time, a crucial distinction, and that's why it instantly
became this magnet for well celebrities in the literary world.
It wasn't just a place to stay for a night
or two. It was a residence like Coco Chanel exactly.
Koko Chanell basically lived there for over.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Three decades, thirty years.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Right her private suite, Sweet Coco Chanel. It's strategically located
right above the side entrance on Rue kimbaan.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Ah, so she had discrete access to her fashion.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
House nearby, precisely clever.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Her story is incredible, but maybe the most enduring tale
involves Ernest Hemingway. Oh definitely, we hear he liberated the
bar in nineteen forty four. What's the real story there?
According to the sources.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Okay, so the story goes August twenty fifth, nineteen twenty four,
Paris is being liberated by the Allies. Hemingway, technically a
war correspondent, decides to take matters into his.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Own hands, and Hemingway does.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
He apparently drove a jeep packed with resistance fighters or
maybe just some very thirsty friends straight to the Ritz.
He was convinced German officers were holed up in his
favorite bar, and were they Nope, found no Germans. So
he just walks in orders seventy three, dry martinis seventy
three and declares he's liberating the bar, a symbolic gesture,
(03:37):
you know, brilliance. And of course that bar was later
renamed Bar Hemingway in his honor, still famous for its clean,
dirty martini apparently.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Wow, that kind of living history, it's just hard to
compete with. But legacy can be a double edged sword.
How did the Ritz handle that huge four year renovation
ending in twenty sixteen. How do you modernize without losing
that that eighteenth century soul.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
It was a monumental job, more preservation than just modernization. Really.
They meticulously restored everything, the louis and the six stick furniture,
the heavy fabrics, the chandeliers.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
In all one hundred and forty two rooms in suites.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Yes, and the modern tech it's all integrated, hidden behind mirrors,
tucked away in antique looking cabinets, seamless. But the real
testament to its history is in the prestige suites, like
the Imperial Suite.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
What's special about that one?
Speaker 2 (04:25):
It's actually classified as a historic monument by UNESCO.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
You're kidding, So you're literally sleeping in a protected piece
of French.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
History exactly because of its architecture, its historical significance. You're
not just a guest, You're a custodian almost.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
That definitely puts a luxury splurge in a different light,
and the experience goes beyond the room obviously. What about
the food and drink at the Modern Rits.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Oh, it's highly refined Lespadon with chef Eugenni Beziat holds
two Michelin stars. It's French cuisine, classical technique, but with
a contemporary edge, very seasonal menus.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
And for something a bit softer, there's.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
The salam Proost named after Marcel Proust. Of course, for
the Madlins Sisily, you get that classic French afternoon tea experience,
complete with those delicate Madeline cakes. It taps right into
that literary nostalgia.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
And the wellness side. Very high end branding there too.
I see the world's first Chanelle o Ritz Spa.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
That's a huge differentiator. It's an exclusive partnership, so unique
Chanelle treatments developed specifically using Chanelle's high end skincare. It
guarantees a level of exclusivity that just fits the Ritz
image perfectly.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Got it. So for you, the listener seeking that deep
historic luxury central location near the Louver Rouseandunroy, the Ritz
is the benchmark.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
It really sets an immovable standard.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Okay, let's shift location slightly. We're moving into the eighth
arrondis Mal now to a palace with a totally different background.
Hotel de Creon, a Rosewood hotel right.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Unlike the ritz Es built as a hotel, the Creoles
started life differently. It was commissioned in seventeen fifty eight
by King Louis the Cafistam himself a private residence right
on the place to lat Concord.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
That location is incredible.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
The history it's immense, designed by Ange Gabriel. The powerful
Creome family lived there until seventeen eighty eight. It's witnessed
so much French history. You feel that white just standing there.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
It definitely had that weight. But it was also closed
for four years, wasn't it before this huge reopening in
twenty seventeen.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yes, a massive transformation.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
That must have been tricky. Blending a pre revolutionary palace
with modern five star expectations.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
It was really a masterclass in restoration. Rosewood managed to
blend the original eighteenth century grandeur with a very contemporary flare.
They kept original features Baccarat chandeliers, those intricate marble mosaics,
but brought in top designers, custom contemporary furniture, modern art.
The one hundred and twenty four rooms in suites feel
(06:55):
both historic and totally current.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
The sources mentioned the Bernstein Suite favorite for artists.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yes, that's right, and that speaks volumes, doesn't it.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
It does, It shows it appeals to both history buffs
and the modern crowd.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
It signals it's not just a museum piece, it's an
active cultural spot and institutionally dining, well, there's Lecron, the
one Michelin star gastronomic restaurant, very inventive cuisine, but the
real heart, the place everyone talks about is bar La
zambassidter ah, Yes, a Parisian institution absolutely famous for cocktails, sure,
but also for that soaring ceiling, the detailed murals, the
(07:30):
live music. It feels less like a bar, more like
a grand ball room from another era.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Sounds like a perfect mix of history and social buzz.
Great for architecture lovers near the schanz.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Of these Precisely, it's where you go if you want
to feel that historical weight but still have all the
modern comforts and style.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Okay, shifting gears again, let's talk about a palace defined
more by artistic connections. La Maurice Georchester collection overlooking the
Tulerese Gardens in the first what a view.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
La Maurice really is the art lover's hate since eighteen
thirty five. Yeah, its history isn't just about royalty. It's
deeply tied to creatives, writers, artists.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
And most famously Deli Salvador Dali.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Yes, he was a long time, very eccentric regular. Apparently
he even brought his pet Ocelot sometimes an Osla.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
In a five star hotel.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
That's surreal exactly, and that surrealist spirit seems quite intentional,
especially after Philippe Stark's renovations, right.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Stark's designs, how did he handle it?
Speaker 2 (08:26):
His interiors are deliberately playful. You still have the classic
Louisa's six furniture in the one hundred and sixty rooms
the brocades, but Stark took inspiration from Versailles and added
these twists, classic elements presented in slightly unexpected ways. It
gives the whole place this delightful, slightly off kilter.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Edge, and that really comes through the dining spaces.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Oh, absolutely, especially restaurant Ladali.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Tell me about that one.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
It's pure whimsical dining. There's this huge original canvas ceiling
painted by Ara Stark, Philippe's daughter. Wow, it's contemporary surrealism
in a classic setting. It encourages you to, you know,
relax and just enjoy the artistry around you.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Okay, that's the whimsical side, but there's serious gastronomy too.
Restaurant Le Maurice Alendzucass, that's.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
The temple within the palace, two Michelin stars. The setting
is breathtaking, high ceilings, very Versailles inspired. Dou Cass's approach.
Here is classic French hate cuisine executed with absolute precision.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
And for the ultimate splurge.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
You'd look at the Bella twelve suite. It has a
private three hundred and sixty degree.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Terrace, three hundred and sixty degrees. The views must be.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Insane panoramas of the whole city. It's clearly perfect for
art and culture lovers. With the louver and the orsa
right there.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
All right. Section two. This is where the senses really
take over, isn't it? The flowers, the food, the fashion,
It's almost overwhelming. Let's start in the Golden Triangle, a
place that feels less like a hotel maybe, and more
like a living art installation. Four seasons Hotel George the Fifth.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Paris, the George fak quintessential art deco, built in nineteen
twenty eight, perfect location from the Chanz of Lize. It
screams eighth Arande, sment, prestige. But it's defining feature definitely
the floral artistry.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Which means Jeff Latham, the hotel's artistic director since ninety nine.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
He's transformed the place. It's not just flowers, it's an
art form.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
The scale sounds immense. The sources say over ten thousand
flowers weekly, that's right.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Huge dramatic seasonal displays the lobbies become these living bouquets.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
And Lethem's work is so dynamic. He doesn't just arrange flowers,
He creates these incredible sculptures. Sometimes it's all one color,
sometimes it's this explosion of different shades. It changes constantly
with the season or a concept, so even if you
go back, you get a totally fresh experience when you
walk in.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
That's amazing. Yeah, but the Georgia fifth isn't just visually stunning.
Its reputation is cemented by well unparalleled culinary power.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Absolutely, it's the only hotel in Europe, one of very
few globally with five Michelin stars under one roof five stars.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
That's just extraordinary.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
It really shows this commitment to diverse culinary excellence. You've
got La Sinc. The flagship three stars, classic French hate
cuisine under chef Christian lest Swear.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Then there's La George one star, more modern Mediterranean, a
bit lighter, and finally Lingerie also one star, focuses on
really refined seasonal dishes, lots of plant based and sea
inspired options.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Running three distinct top tier concepts like that simultaneously. The
complexity must be incredible.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
It creates this atmosphere of absolute perfection throughout the hotel,
highly specialized staff, of course, and the wine program top tier. Naturally,
this cellar, curated by Simelia Eric Baumard, has over fifty
thousand bottles, including some incredibly rare vintages. So guess here
expect and get the absolute peak of sensory luxury from
(11:45):
the flowers to the food to the wine.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Makes sense. It's the clear choice for serious foodies, romantics,
anyone demanding that Golden Triangle status undisputed. Okay, staying in
the eighthol. On de small bit shifting tone, let's talk
about Libristol, Paris, found in nineteen twenty five. This one
seems to specialize in a more subtle, discrete kind of
Parisian chic.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Libristal is the definition of understated elegance, old money diplomats,
fashion designers who prefer quiet luxury. That's the clientele. They
avoid the high volume tour.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Spots sometimes, and the setting reflects that.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
It does that pristine white facade and very unusually for
central Paris, it has this large, beautifully kept French garden.
You can dine out there or just relax, very serene, and.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
The culinary legend here is huge too. Epicure three Michelin stars.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Chef Eric Frischel Forshan's reputation is immense. It's built on
perfecting French classics using the absolute best ingredient.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
What's the dish everyone talks about?
Speaker 2 (12:45):
It has to be the breast chicken poached in a bladder,
served with black truffle.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Wow. Sounds intense.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
It requires incredible skill and sourcing. It's reached almost mythical
status in Paris food circles.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
So Epicure is the pinnacle. But they also have a
one star.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
Brass exactly one fourteen Faubourg for a slightly less formal
but still high end experience. Covers the whole spectrum.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
And we can't forget the other resident.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Yes, ferry On the Bristol cat, the residant white Burmese cat.
He even has his own Instagram. It adds this charming,
slightly eccentric touch.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
It reinforces that feeling of being in a grand but
somehow warm, private home.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
It all contributes ferry On the classic twelved Ajus fabrics
in the one hundred and ninety rooms. It creates this
atmosphere of quiet, generational luxury. Perfect if you want to
be near the Elisia Palace but prefer discretion.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
Okay, from that subtle sophistication, let's jump to high visibility
glamour hotel Plaza a Taine, the ultimate fashion hotel right
on Avenue Monte.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
The Plaza attain is Hote Couture. Its location is everything,
the absolute epicenter Dior Chanelle Louis Vuittana literally steps away.
The hotel basically becomes the backdrop for fashion week every seasonally.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
It's just instantly recognizable worldwide, isn't it. Those red awnings.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
The red awnings, the balconies overflowing with red geraniums.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Seen in movies like Sex in the City, countless photo shoots.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
It's designed to be seen. That visibility is central to
its brand and the.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
Fashion identity runs deep even into the spa.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Oh yes, the Dior Institute spa is exclusive to the
hotel signature Dior treatments in this incredibly lavish, ivory gold setting.
It's the ultimate branded luxury experience within a hotel.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
And the food scene, there's been a shift there too.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Yes, a new era chef Jean Imbert, who was a
protege of al n Ducass is now overseeing the dining.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
How's his style different.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
It's perhaps more youthful, maybe more theatrical than do Cass's classicism.
His restaurant, Jean Embert o Plaza Attinnee, has one Michelin star.
He focuses on redefining French classics with a certain flare.
The dining room itself is stunning, very chic, very contemporary.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
And the social hubs where do people gather?
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Two keys La Gallery is the classic place for afternoon tea, pastries, champagne,
always buzzing, especially with fashion insiders. You go there to
see and be seen. And then there's Lorell Plaza. That's
the historic brasserie, a longtime favorite for fashion and design folk.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Got it. So this place is unapologetically for fashion lovers,
celebrity spotters, anyone seeking that high glamour Paris vibe.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Absolutely Okay, So we've done the founding legends, the sensory capitals.
Now let's focus on properties that really prioritize a unique
spatial experience. We're talking the ultimate view, extreme privacy, or
that cutting edge modern feel.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
And we start with arguably the most iconic view in
the city, Shangrila Hotel Paris, sixteenth Arrondissement, famous for Eiffel
Tower views, but it also has this incredible almost royal history.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
It really does. Before it became a hotel in twenty ten,
this magnificent building, built eighteen ninety six was the actual
home of Prince.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Roland Bonaparte, Napoleon's grand nephew.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
That's the one. The limestone facade, the grand staircases, they're
meticulously preserved. You genuinely feel like you're entering a prince's residence.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
But the view is the main event. Right sources emphasize
unobstructed Eiffel Tower used from many rooms.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
That's the absolute key selling point because it's in the
sixteenth a bit away from the main cluster and right
Cresissen near Trocadero. Many rooms and crucially terraces have these
perfect straight on site lines to the tower. It's unbeatable
for romance, the gold standard, and.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
The design inside is interesting, a mix of French Empire
and Asian touches.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Yes, reflecting the Channgri Law brand. It's a really seamless fusion.
You get the classic French elements, gold leaf, heavy drapes
within these elegant Asian influences, silk wallpapers, dark lacquered furniture,
beautiful blue and white porcelain. It adds this layer of serene,
meticulous service that complements the French grandeur beautifully, and the.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Food reflects that fusion too. It's not just French.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Hawk cuisine exactly. While they have La Bail with two
Michelin stars for fantas to contemporary French, the real standout,
the unique offering is Shung Palate. What makes it unique
It is the only Michelin starred Chinese restaurant in.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
All of Friends, really, the only one.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
The only one specializing in exquisite Cantonese food. Their peaking
Duck gets rave reviews. It offers a sophisticated, completely different
dining experience within that traditional Paris palace setting.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Okay, fascinating. Now let's go from iconic views to intense privacy. Yeah,
La Reserve Paris Hotel and Spa back in the eighth
This place sounds incredibly exclusive.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
It is by design. It's deliberately small, only forty rooms
in suites, only forty Yeah. That guarantees a level of
discretion and hyper personalized service that the larger palaces just
can't replicate. The whole idea is for you to feel
like you're staying in the private mansion of an incredibly wealthy,
stylish friend.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
And the design is by Jaques Garcia, known for those
rich atmospheric interiors.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
His signature is all over it, deep jewel tones, heavy silks, velvets,
dark marbles. It creates this incredibly cocooning atmospheric feel that
focuses on comfort, luxury of space. Many rooms even have
working fireplaces.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
A fireplace in a Paris hotel room. That's a cozy rarity,
it really is.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
And the library bar sounds amazing, supposedly has three thousand books.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
Just screams quiet, sophistication, doesn't it The place you go
to disappear.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
That atmosphere is exactly what they're aiming for. Bespoke service
is key, dedicated, Butler's for every guest. Even the dining
La Gabriel two Michelin stars under chesterom Bontal reinforces that
sense of exclusivity over flashy display.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
So this is the spot for privacy seekers, people who
value discretion above all else.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Absolutely, it's the ultimate intimate escape.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Okay, back to the first ron Dei s mall now
near the luxury shopping on Roussantanray Mandarin Oriental Paris. This
one seems to strike a balance between French style and
Eastern serenity.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
It's a real zen oasis, actually hidden behind quite a
striking Art deco facade. But inside, the key feature is
this lush, peaceful central guard in very rare for this busy,
high end shopping district. The whole esthetic blends French elegance
with these subtle agent touches, silk panels, minimalist floral designs.
It definitely caters to a wellness focused traveler.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
And wellness is central to its identity. The spa sounds significant,
it is.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
The spa manner, and Oriental is one of the biggest
in Paris. Great facility is a fourteen meter pool, holistic
treatments that really integrate Eastern practices.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
So tranquility from the spa, but intellectual stimulation from the dining.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Exactly, Sir Measure Potter remarks two Michelin stars. It's known
for being very avant garde, very conceptual.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
And the dining room reflects that.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Oh yes, it's futuristic, almost stark white, a real contrast
to classic Paris outside Marx calls his food techno emotional
tech nor emotional. Yeah. It's designed to be a sensory
and intellectual experience to challenge your expectations of fine dining.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
Sounds like a refrain change for some of the more
traditional places, appeals to innovative foodies right near the boutiques.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
It's definitely the place for the modern connoisseur.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Okay, finally we need to talk about the newcomer defining
the modern aedge. Hotel Madame Rev open just in twenty
twenty one.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Madamerev represents the cutting edge absolutely, and what's really interesting
is its location. It occupies the former Louver post office,
this huge, beautiful house Mannion building that's been completely reimagined.
Speaker 1 (20:27):
Wow, talk about breathing new life into history.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
It's a powerful example of how Paris does that.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
And the design inside is distinctly modern.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
No louis the six here, precisely clean lines, warm contemporary feel,
lots of rich oak, tailored leather, subtle gold accents, very chic.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
But the real buzz, the thing putting it on the
map is the rooftop.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
The rooftop Madame Rev. Yes, our sources make it clear
this is the new social Hub.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Why the views.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
Expanse of three hundred and sixty degree view us of Paris.
You get the Eiffel Tower, the Louver Socercur, all of it.
It very quickly became one of the city's absolute hottest
spots for cocktails, for socializing.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
So it's energy its location near Leehall and Lamarray. Yeah,
it's targeting a different crowd.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Definitely trendsetters, a potentially younger demographic seeking that modern, vibrant
luxury experience.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Wow. Okay, that was an incredible tour through centuries of
Parisian luxury and design. Let's try and pull this together
for you, our listener. You've heard about all these amazing places,
How do you actually choose the perfect one for your trip?
Speaker 2 (21:31):
We can definitely categorize them based on what they excel
at following the guidance from our sources. So if your
absolute top priority is a romantic getaway driven by those
jaw dropping.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Views, it has to be Shangue la Para.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
No question. Those unobstructed Eiffel Tower views, especially from the
terraces unmatched.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Okay, what if your trip is all about fashion and
luxury shopping, then.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
You need to be at Hotel Plaza Athna right on
Avenue Montane, surrounded by the boutiques living inside that I
conic red on and glamour. It immerses you completely.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Makes sense. Now for the serious foody, the gastronomy.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
Focus, four seasons, George the Fief hands.
Speaker 1 (22:11):
Down those five Michelin stars.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
It's an unparalleled achievement, the variety, the consistent excellence. No
other hotel in Paris offers that concentrated culinary power. Right.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
What about someone seeking pure historic grandeur, that sense of legacy.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
That's the Ritz Paris. It literally wrote the rule book
for Parisian luxury and its history with Chanelle Hemingway, It's
like staying in a living museum.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
And for the opposite, discreet elegance, maybe total intimacy.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
That's Law Reserve Paris, that ultra exclusive private mansion feel
only forty rooms, hyper personalized service, the butler's it's all
about quiet luxury, okay.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
And finally, if you want that modern design edge, the current.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Buzz, then the newcomer Hotel madamerev is the pick. That
spectacular rooftop, the transformed house, Manian architecture, it's the perfect
contemporary icon. Open in twenty twenty one.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
That really helps clarify the choices.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
But you know, we should quickly mention the Parisian luxury
scene is constantly evolving. These were the top ten highlighted,
but there are other major players you should be aware of.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Right, It's important to see the whole picture.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
There are challengers, definitely, like the Peninsula Paris near the
Arc de Trient. Beautiful aviation theme, great rooftop views too.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
You can't ignore the LVMAHE group's big push into hotels.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Right, absolutely not. They've arrived with huge resources. You have
the Bulgarie Hotel Paris opened in twenty twenty one, very
Italian design. Jewel box elegance.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
In Chevelle Blanc Paris another LVMH powerhouse. Yeah good on
the sid and that one has the Dior Spa.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
Yes, showcasing that fierce brand. Competition in the wellness space
now too interesting?
Speaker 1 (23:45):
Any other styles, maybe something edgier.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Well, there's Center Paris in LeMay. It positions itself as
more provocative Bohemian chic, a darker moodier take on luxury
caters to a different profile. And on the left bank
have the reborn Art Deco Legend Hotel Lutatia beautifully restored.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
So these honorable mentions really prove how intense the competition
is at the Callis level.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
It's incredibly fierce, which means the standards just keep rising.
For luxury travelers, it's not just about comfort anymore.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
It's about curating a whole experience.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
That's the perfect way to put it. Staying at one
of these places, it isn't just about the nice sheets
or the marble bathrooms. It's about making your stay a
fundamental part of falling in love with Paris. They offer
this level of detailed beauty, this curated service. It really
captures the soul of the city.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Yeah, whether you're picturing yourself sipping champagne under those rich chandeliers,
maybe ordering seventy three martinis, or favoring that legendary chicken
at La Bristol. These places really are architectural time capsules,
aren't They defining both history and what's happening right now.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
And that leads us to a final thought something for
you to consider. We've talked about hotels stretching from eighteen
ninety eight The Ritz all the way to twenty twenty
one Madame rev What's so striking is how Paris manage
is to reward this appreciation for detail by doing two
things at once. It preserves its history, literally classifying things
like the Imperial Suite as monuments, while simultaneously defining its
(25:11):
modern future, like with those incredible three hundred and sixty
degree views from the Madame rev rooftop. So the question
for you is, in a city where change is the
only constant, which of these incredible architectural time capsules do
you think most successfully bridges the centuries to create an
experience that feels truly timeless.
Welcome to the deep dive today. We are opening a door.
Well not just into travel.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
No, not just travel, We're diving into the history, the artistry.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
And the pure underdulterated opulence.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Really of Paris exactly cares the city of Light. It's
this unique blend history, romance.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Art and gastronomy.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Can't forget that crucially dystronomy. And you know, to really
explore this city, your base camp needs to be more
than just well, more than just a bed for the night.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Absolutely, that's what makes Paris different, isn't it. The best
hotels there they aren't just places to stay. They're woven
right into the fabric of the whole Parisian experience.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
They really are.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
I mean, they're officially certified as palace hotels for a reason.
They elevate the whole trip, the service, the luxury, the locations.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
You're right on the historical stage precisely. So our mission
today is a deep dive, really customized for you, into
the absolute kreme de la creme of Parisian hospitality. We've
looked through sources detailing the top ten properties.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
These aren't just hotels, they're destinations themselves.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
That's the key we're exploring what makes each one the
absolute pinnacle of comfort and style, whether it's you know,
that opulent grandeur or more of a boutique intimacy.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Okay, So the core question we're really tackling for you
today is how do these super exclusive places get and
keep that coveted palace hotel status, and maybe more importantly,
what unique, unforgettable experience does each one actually offer you,
the discerning traveler.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
We're digging for those nuggets of knowledge, the things that
really define ultra luxury in the capital of elegance.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Let's start at the beginning, then with the legends.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Let's do it the founding institutions, the ones that basically
invented the modern luxury hotel as we know it. Right, So,
if you trace the lineage of Parisian luxury hospitality, it
leads you street to the first arrondissement, to fifteen plus
Mondom the Ritz Paris, the Ritz found by the man
himself sees our Ritz way back in eighteen ninety eight.
(01:58):
This place isn't just a hotel, It's kind of the
definition of Parisian luxury.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Yeah, and what's so compelling, I think, is Ritz's original vision.
It wasn't just about luxury in the modern sense, O.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
No, entirely.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
He wanted it to feel like a perfectly run private
home for the absolute elite.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
That was the key insight he figured out.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
They wanted privacy, high ceilings and amazingly revolutionary.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Then a bathroom in every room that was huge at
the time, a crucial distinction, and that's why it instantly
became this magnet for well celebrities in the literary world.
It wasn't just a place to stay for a night
or two. It was a residence like Coco Chanel exactly.
Koko Chanell basically lived there for over.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Three decades, thirty years.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Right her private suite, Sweet Coco Chanel. It's strategically located
right above the side entrance on Rue kimbaan.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Ah, so she had discrete access to her fashion.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
House nearby, precisely clever.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Her story is incredible, but maybe the most enduring tale
involves Ernest Hemingway. Oh definitely, we hear he liberated the
bar in nineteen forty four. What's the real story there?
According to the sources.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Okay, so the story goes August twenty fifth, nineteen twenty four,
Paris is being liberated by the Allies. Hemingway, technically a
war correspondent, decides to take matters into his.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Own hands, and Hemingway does.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
He apparently drove a jeep packed with resistance fighters or
maybe just some very thirsty friends straight to the Ritz.
He was convinced German officers were holed up in his
favorite bar, and were they Nope, found no Germans. So
he just walks in orders seventy three, dry martinis seventy
three and declares he's liberating the bar, a symbolic gesture,
(03:37):
you know, brilliance. And of course that bar was later
renamed Bar Hemingway in his honor, still famous for its clean,
dirty martini apparently.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Wow, that kind of living history, it's just hard to
compete with. But legacy can be a double edged sword.
How did the Ritz handle that huge four year renovation
ending in twenty sixteen. How do you modernize without losing
that that eighteenth century soul.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
It was a monumental job, more preservation than just modernization. Really.
They meticulously restored everything, the louis and the six stick furniture,
the heavy fabrics, the chandeliers.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
In all one hundred and forty two rooms in suites.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Yes, and the modern tech it's all integrated, hidden behind mirrors,
tucked away in antique looking cabinets, seamless. But the real
testament to its history is in the prestige suites, like
the Imperial Suite.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
What's special about that one?
Speaker 2 (04:25):
It's actually classified as a historic monument by UNESCO.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
You're kidding, So you're literally sleeping in a protected piece
of French.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
History exactly because of its architecture, its historical significance. You're
not just a guest, You're a custodian almost.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
That definitely puts a luxury splurge in a different light,
and the experience goes beyond the room obviously. What about
the food and drink at the Modern Rits.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Oh, it's highly refined Lespadon with chef Eugenni Beziat holds
two Michelin stars. It's French cuisine, classical technique, but with
a contemporary edge, very seasonal menus.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
And for something a bit softer, there's.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
The salam Proost named after Marcel Proust. Of course, for
the Madlins Sisily, you get that classic French afternoon tea experience,
complete with those delicate Madeline cakes. It taps right into
that literary nostalgia.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
And the wellness side. Very high end branding there too.
I see the world's first Chanelle o Ritz Spa.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
That's a huge differentiator. It's an exclusive partnership, so unique
Chanelle treatments developed specifically using Chanelle's high end skincare. It
guarantees a level of exclusivity that just fits the Ritz
image perfectly.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Got it. So for you, the listener seeking that deep
historic luxury central location near the Louver Rouseandunroy, the Ritz
is the benchmark.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
It really sets an immovable standard.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Okay, let's shift location slightly. We're moving into the eighth
arrondis Mal now to a palace with a totally different background.
Hotel de Creon, a Rosewood hotel right.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Unlike the ritz Es built as a hotel, the Creoles
started life differently. It was commissioned in seventeen fifty eight
by King Louis the Cafistam himself a private residence right
on the place to lat Concord.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
That location is incredible.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
The history it's immense, designed by Ange Gabriel. The powerful
Creome family lived there until seventeen eighty eight. It's witnessed
so much French history. You feel that white just standing there.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
It definitely had that weight. But it was also closed
for four years, wasn't it before this huge reopening in
twenty seventeen.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yes, a massive transformation.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
That must have been tricky. Blending a pre revolutionary palace
with modern five star expectations.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
It was really a masterclass in restoration. Rosewood managed to
blend the original eighteenth century grandeur with a very contemporary flare.
They kept original features Baccarat chandeliers, those intricate marble mosaics,
but brought in top designers, custom contemporary furniture, modern art.
The one hundred and twenty four rooms in suites feel
(06:55):
both historic and totally current.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
The sources mentioned the Bernstein Suite favorite for artists.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yes, that's right, and that speaks volumes, doesn't it.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
It does, It shows it appeals to both history buffs
and the modern crowd.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
It signals it's not just a museum piece, it's an
active cultural spot and institutionally dining, well, there's Lecron, the
one Michelin star gastronomic restaurant, very inventive cuisine, but the
real heart, the place everyone talks about is bar La
zambassidter ah, Yes, a Parisian institution absolutely famous for cocktails, sure,
but also for that soaring ceiling, the detailed murals, the
(07:30):
live music. It feels less like a bar, more like
a grand ball room from another era.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Sounds like a perfect mix of history and social buzz.
Great for architecture lovers near the schanz.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Of these Precisely, it's where you go if you want
to feel that historical weight but still have all the
modern comforts and style.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Okay, shifting gears again, let's talk about a palace defined
more by artistic connections. La Maurice Georchester collection overlooking the
Tulerese Gardens in the first what a view.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
La Maurice really is the art lover's hate since eighteen
thirty five. Yeah, its history isn't just about royalty. It's
deeply tied to creatives, writers, artists.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
And most famously Deli Salvador Dali.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Yes, he was a long time, very eccentric regular. Apparently
he even brought his pet Ocelot sometimes an Osla.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
In a five star hotel.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
That's surreal exactly, and that surrealist spirit seems quite intentional,
especially after Philippe Stark's renovations, right.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Stark's designs, how did he handle it?
Speaker 2 (08:26):
His interiors are deliberately playful. You still have the classic
Louisa's six furniture in the one hundred and sixty rooms
the brocades, but Stark took inspiration from Versailles and added
these twists, classic elements presented in slightly unexpected ways. It
gives the whole place this delightful, slightly off kilter.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Edge, and that really comes through the dining spaces.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Oh, absolutely, especially restaurant Ladali.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Tell me about that one.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
It's pure whimsical dining. There's this huge original canvas ceiling
painted by Ara Stark, Philippe's daughter. Wow, it's contemporary surrealism
in a classic setting. It encourages you to, you know,
relax and just enjoy the artistry around you.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Okay, that's the whimsical side, but there's serious gastronomy too.
Restaurant Le Maurice Alendzucass, that's.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
The temple within the palace, two Michelin stars. The setting
is breathtaking, high ceilings, very Versailles inspired. Dou Cass's approach.
Here is classic French hate cuisine executed with absolute precision.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
And for the ultimate splurge.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
You'd look at the Bella twelve suite. It has a
private three hundred and sixty degree.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Terrace, three hundred and sixty degrees. The views must be.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Insane panoramas of the whole city. It's clearly perfect for
art and culture lovers. With the louver and the orsa
right there.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
All right. Section two. This is where the senses really
take over, isn't it? The flowers, the food, the fashion,
It's almost overwhelming. Let's start in the Golden Triangle, a
place that feels less like a hotel maybe, and more
like a living art installation. Four seasons Hotel George the Fifth.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Paris, the George fak quintessential art deco, built in nineteen
twenty eight, perfect location from the Chanz of Lize. It
screams eighth Arande, sment, prestige. But it's defining feature definitely
the floral artistry.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Which means Jeff Latham, the hotel's artistic director since ninety nine.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
He's transformed the place. It's not just flowers, it's an
art form.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
The scale sounds immense. The sources say over ten thousand
flowers weekly, that's right.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Huge dramatic seasonal displays the lobbies become these living bouquets.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
And Lethem's work is so dynamic. He doesn't just arrange flowers,
He creates these incredible sculptures. Sometimes it's all one color,
sometimes it's this explosion of different shades. It changes constantly
with the season or a concept, so even if you
go back, you get a totally fresh experience when you
walk in.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
That's amazing. Yeah, but the Georgia fifth isn't just visually stunning.
Its reputation is cemented by well unparalleled culinary power.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Absolutely, it's the only hotel in Europe, one of very
few globally with five Michelin stars under one roof five stars.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
That's just extraordinary.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
It really shows this commitment to diverse culinary excellence. You've
got La Sinc. The flagship three stars, classic French hate
cuisine under chef Christian lest Swear.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Then there's La George one star, more modern Mediterranean, a
bit lighter, and finally Lingerie also one star, focuses on
really refined seasonal dishes, lots of plant based and sea
inspired options.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Running three distinct top tier concepts like that simultaneously. The
complexity must be incredible.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
It creates this atmosphere of absolute perfection throughout the hotel,
highly specialized staff, of course, and the wine program top tier. Naturally,
this cellar, curated by Simelia Eric Baumard, has over fifty
thousand bottles, including some incredibly rare vintages. So guess here
expect and get the absolute peak of sensory luxury from
(11:45):
the flowers to the food to the wine.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Makes sense. It's the clear choice for serious foodies, romantics,
anyone demanding that Golden Triangle status undisputed. Okay, staying in
the eighthol. On de small bit shifting tone, let's talk
about Libristol, Paris, found in nineteen twenty five. This one
seems to specialize in a more subtle, discrete kind of
Parisian chic.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Libristal is the definition of understated elegance, old money diplomats,
fashion designers who prefer quiet luxury. That's the clientele. They
avoid the high volume tour.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Spots sometimes, and the setting reflects that.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
It does that pristine white facade and very unusually for
central Paris, it has this large, beautifully kept French garden.
You can dine out there or just relax, very serene, and.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
The culinary legend here is huge too. Epicure three Michelin stars.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Chef Eric Frischel Forshan's reputation is immense. It's built on
perfecting French classics using the absolute best ingredient.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
What's the dish everyone talks about?
Speaker 2 (12:45):
It has to be the breast chicken poached in a bladder,
served with black truffle.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Wow. Sounds intense.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
It requires incredible skill and sourcing. It's reached almost mythical
status in Paris food circles.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
So Epicure is the pinnacle. But they also have a
one star.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
Brass exactly one fourteen Faubourg for a slightly less formal
but still high end experience. Covers the whole spectrum.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
And we can't forget the other resident.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Yes, ferry On the Bristol cat, the residant white Burmese cat.
He even has his own Instagram. It adds this charming,
slightly eccentric touch.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
It reinforces that feeling of being in a grand but
somehow warm, private home.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
It all contributes ferry On the classic twelved Ajus fabrics
in the one hundred and ninety rooms. It creates this
atmosphere of quiet, generational luxury. Perfect if you want to
be near the Elisia Palace but prefer discretion.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
Okay, from that subtle sophistication, let's jump to high visibility
glamour hotel Plaza a Taine, the ultimate fashion hotel right
on Avenue Monte.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
The Plaza attain is Hote Couture. Its location is everything,
the absolute epicenter Dior Chanelle Louis Vuittana literally steps away.
The hotel basically becomes the backdrop for fashion week every seasonally.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
It's just instantly recognizable worldwide, isn't it. Those red awnings.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
The red awnings, the balconies overflowing with red geraniums.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Seen in movies like Sex in the City, countless photo shoots.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
It's designed to be seen. That visibility is central to
its brand and the.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
Fashion identity runs deep even into the spa.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Oh yes, the Dior Institute spa is exclusive to the
hotel signature Dior treatments in this incredibly lavish, ivory gold setting.
It's the ultimate branded luxury experience within a hotel.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
And the food scene, there's been a shift there too.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Yes, a new era chef Jean Imbert, who was a
protege of al n Ducass is now overseeing the dining.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
How's his style different.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
It's perhaps more youthful, maybe more theatrical than do Cass's classicism.
His restaurant, Jean Embert o Plaza Attinnee, has one Michelin star.
He focuses on redefining French classics with a certain flare.
The dining room itself is stunning, very chic, very contemporary.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
And the social hubs where do people gather?
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Two keys La Gallery is the classic place for afternoon tea, pastries, champagne,
always buzzing, especially with fashion insiders. You go there to
see and be seen. And then there's Lorell Plaza. That's
the historic brasserie, a longtime favorite for fashion and design folk.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Got it. So this place is unapologetically for fashion lovers,
celebrity spotters, anyone seeking that high glamour Paris vibe.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Absolutely Okay, So we've done the founding legends, the sensory capitals.
Now let's focus on properties that really prioritize a unique
spatial experience. We're talking the ultimate view, extreme privacy, or
that cutting edge modern feel.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
And we start with arguably the most iconic view in
the city, Shangrila Hotel Paris, sixteenth Arrondissement, famous for Eiffel
Tower views, but it also has this incredible almost royal history.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
It really does. Before it became a hotel in twenty ten,
this magnificent building, built eighteen ninety six was the actual
home of Prince.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Roland Bonaparte, Napoleon's grand nephew.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
That's the one. The limestone facade, the grand staircases, they're
meticulously preserved. You genuinely feel like you're entering a prince's residence.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
But the view is the main event. Right sources emphasize
unobstructed Eiffel Tower used from many rooms.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
That's the absolute key selling point because it's in the
sixteenth a bit away from the main cluster and right
Cresissen near Trocadero. Many rooms and crucially terraces have these
perfect straight on site lines to the tower. It's unbeatable
for romance, the gold standard, and.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
The design inside is interesting, a mix of French Empire
and Asian touches.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Yes, reflecting the Channgri Law brand. It's a really seamless fusion.
You get the classic French elements, gold leaf, heavy drapes
within these elegant Asian influences, silk wallpapers, dark lacquered furniture,
beautiful blue and white porcelain. It adds this layer of serene,
meticulous service that complements the French grandeur beautifully, and the.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Food reflects that fusion too. It's not just French.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Hawk cuisine exactly. While they have La Bail with two
Michelin stars for fantas to contemporary French, the real standout,
the unique offering is Shung Palate. What makes it unique
It is the only Michelin starred Chinese restaurant in.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
All of Friends, really, the only one.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
The only one specializing in exquisite Cantonese food. Their peaking
Duck gets rave reviews. It offers a sophisticated, completely different
dining experience within that traditional Paris palace setting.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Okay, fascinating. Now let's go from iconic views to intense privacy. Yeah,
La Reserve Paris Hotel and Spa back in the eighth
This place sounds incredibly exclusive.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
It is by design. It's deliberately small, only forty rooms
in suites, only forty Yeah. That guarantees a level of
discretion and hyper personalized service that the larger palaces just
can't replicate. The whole idea is for you to feel
like you're staying in the private mansion of an incredibly wealthy,
stylish friend.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
And the design is by Jaques Garcia, known for those
rich atmospheric interiors.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
His signature is all over it, deep jewel tones, heavy silks, velvets,
dark marbles. It creates this incredibly cocooning atmospheric feel that
focuses on comfort, luxury of space. Many rooms even have
working fireplaces.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
A fireplace in a Paris hotel room. That's a cozy rarity,
it really is.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
And the library bar sounds amazing, supposedly has three thousand books.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
Just screams quiet, sophistication, doesn't it The place you go
to disappear.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
That atmosphere is exactly what they're aiming for. Bespoke service
is key, dedicated, Butler's for every guest. Even the dining
La Gabriel two Michelin stars under chesterom Bontal reinforces that
sense of exclusivity over flashy display.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
So this is the spot for privacy seekers, people who
value discretion above all else.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Absolutely, it's the ultimate intimate escape.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Okay, back to the first ron Dei s mall now
near the luxury shopping on Roussantanray Mandarin Oriental Paris. This
one seems to strike a balance between French style and
Eastern serenity.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
It's a real zen oasis, actually hidden behind quite a
striking Art deco facade. But inside, the key feature is
this lush, peaceful central guard in very rare for this busy,
high end shopping district. The whole esthetic blends French elegance
with these subtle agent touches, silk panels, minimalist floral designs.
It definitely caters to a wellness focused traveler.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
And wellness is central to its identity. The spa sounds significant,
it is.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
The spa manner, and Oriental is one of the biggest
in Paris. Great facility is a fourteen meter pool, holistic
treatments that really integrate Eastern practices.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
So tranquility from the spa, but intellectual stimulation from the dining.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Exactly, Sir Measure Potter remarks two Michelin stars. It's known
for being very avant garde, very conceptual.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
And the dining room reflects that.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Oh yes, it's futuristic, almost stark white, a real contrast
to classic Paris outside Marx calls his food techno emotional
tech nor emotional. Yeah. It's designed to be a sensory
and intellectual experience to challenge your expectations of fine dining.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
Sounds like a refrain change for some of the more
traditional places, appeals to innovative foodies right near the boutiques.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
It's definitely the place for the modern connoisseur.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Okay, finally we need to talk about the newcomer defining
the modern aedge. Hotel Madame Rev open just in twenty
twenty one.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Madamerev represents the cutting edge absolutely, and what's really interesting
is its location. It occupies the former Louver post office,
this huge, beautiful house Mannion building that's been completely reimagined.
Speaker 1 (20:27):
Wow, talk about breathing new life into history.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
It's a powerful example of how Paris does that.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
And the design inside is distinctly modern.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
No louis the six here, precisely clean lines, warm contemporary feel,
lots of rich oak, tailored leather, subtle gold accents, very chic.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
But the real buzz, the thing putting it on the
map is the rooftop.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
The rooftop Madame Rev. Yes, our sources make it clear
this is the new social Hub.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Why the views.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
Expanse of three hundred and sixty degree view us of Paris.
You get the Eiffel Tower, the Louver Socercur, all of it.
It very quickly became one of the city's absolute hottest
spots for cocktails, for socializing.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
So it's energy its location near Leehall and Lamarray. Yeah,
it's targeting a different crowd.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Definitely trendsetters, a potentially younger demographic seeking that modern, vibrant
luxury experience.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Wow. Okay, that was an incredible tour through centuries of
Parisian luxury and design. Let's try and pull this together
for you, our listener. You've heard about all these amazing places,
How do you actually choose the perfect one for your trip?
Speaker 2 (21:31):
We can definitely categorize them based on what they excel
at following the guidance from our sources. So if your
absolute top priority is a romantic getaway driven by those
jaw dropping.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Views, it has to be Shangue la Para.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
No question. Those unobstructed Eiffel Tower views, especially from the
terraces unmatched.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Okay, what if your trip is all about fashion and
luxury shopping, then.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
You need to be at Hotel Plaza Athna right on
Avenue Montane, surrounded by the boutiques living inside that I
conic red on and glamour. It immerses you completely.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Makes sense. Now for the serious foody, the gastronomy.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
Focus, four seasons, George the Fief hands.
Speaker 1 (22:11):
Down those five Michelin stars.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
It's an unparalleled achievement, the variety, the consistent excellence. No
other hotel in Paris offers that concentrated culinary power. Right.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
What about someone seeking pure historic grandeur, that sense of legacy.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
That's the Ritz Paris. It literally wrote the rule book
for Parisian luxury and its history with Chanelle Hemingway, It's
like staying in a living museum.
Speaker 1 (22:32):
And for the opposite, discreet elegance, maybe total intimacy.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
That's Law Reserve Paris, that ultra exclusive private mansion feel
only forty rooms, hyper personalized service, the butler's it's all
about quiet luxury, okay.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
And finally, if you want that modern design edge, the current.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Buzz, then the newcomer Hotel madamerev is the pick. That
spectacular rooftop, the transformed house, Manian architecture, it's the perfect
contemporary icon. Open in twenty twenty one.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
That really helps clarify the choices.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
But you know, we should quickly mention the Parisian luxury
scene is constantly evolving. These were the top ten highlighted,
but there are other major players you should be aware of.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Right, It's important to see the whole picture.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
There are challengers, definitely, like the Peninsula Paris near the
Arc de Trient. Beautiful aviation theme, great rooftop views too.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
You can't ignore the LVMAHE group's big push into hotels.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Right, absolutely not. They've arrived with huge resources. You have
the Bulgarie Hotel Paris opened in twenty twenty one, very
Italian design. Jewel box elegance.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
In Chevelle Blanc Paris another LVMH powerhouse. Yeah good on
the sid and that one has the Dior Spa.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
Yes, showcasing that fierce brand. Competition in the wellness space
now too interesting?
Speaker 1 (23:45):
Any other styles, maybe something edgier.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Well, there's Center Paris in LeMay. It positions itself as
more provocative Bohemian chic, a darker moodier take on luxury
caters to a different profile. And on the left bank
have the reborn Art Deco Legend Hotel Lutatia beautifully restored.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
So these honorable mentions really prove how intense the competition
is at the Callis level.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
It's incredibly fierce, which means the standards just keep rising.
For luxury travelers, it's not just about comfort anymore.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
It's about curating a whole experience.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
That's the perfect way to put it. Staying at one
of these places, it isn't just about the nice sheets
or the marble bathrooms. It's about making your stay a
fundamental part of falling in love with Paris. They offer
this level of detailed beauty, this curated service. It really
captures the soul of the city.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Yeah, whether you're picturing yourself sipping champagne under those rich chandeliers,
maybe ordering seventy three martinis, or favoring that legendary chicken
at La Bristol. These places really are architectural time capsules,
aren't They defining both history and what's happening right now.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
And that leads us to a final thought something for
you to consider. We've talked about hotels stretching from eighteen
ninety eight The Ritz all the way to twenty twenty
one Madame rev What's so striking is how Paris manage
is to reward this appreciation for detail by doing two
things at once. It preserves its history, literally classifying things
like the Imperial Suite as monuments, while simultaneously defining its
(25:11):
modern future, like with those incredible three hundred and sixty
degree views from the Madame rev rooftop. So the question
for you is, in a city where change is the
only constant, which of these incredible architectural time capsules do
you think most successfully bridges the centuries to create an
experience that feels truly timeless.
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