The latest Parisian luxury hotel, the Shangri-La will seduce a demanding clientele that will know how to appreciate the richly ornate Empire style of this particular hotel. Nothing more can be said about the lengths taken to find the materials, designs, and other accessories that contribute to recreating the atmosphere of the 19th century, while at the same time offering the comfort and modernity of the 21st century. This extremely shiny and ornate Empire style may scare away some potential guests, however, it is still a real privilege to stay in this residence previously owned by a prince, the great nephew of Napoleon.
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Location
7.5/10
Located in Paris' 16th arrondissement, one of the capital's most chic districts, and perched on the Chaillot hill on Avenue d'Iena of Paris, the Shangri-La proudly faces the Eiffel Tower. A short walk from the Trocadero, the Guimet Museum, and the Seine River, the Shangri-La enjoys a prime location with views of the Louvre, Les Invalides, and Montmartre. The metro is just a few metres away and taxi ranks can be found near the hotel.
Accommodation
9.70/10
The 81 guest rooms and suites are located in the old apartments of Napoleon's great-nephew and his family. Some of the rooms were once used as private apartments until the residence was bought by the financial company, Suez. The rooms are divided into 5 categories and are distributed throughout the 7 storeys of the residence. Originally, when the residence was owned by Roland Bonaparte it was only 2 storeys high but additional floors were added over the years.
The panoramic suite with a view overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower is located on the 7th floor and there is a huge terrace on which to enjoy this breathtaking view to the fullest. The decor in this suite is more modern (in frosted shades of pearl) than in the other rooms and suites. From the bed and the bathtub, you have a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. The Imperial Suite offers a completely different atmosphere; it once housed the apartments of Prince Roland Bonaparte. The living room is listed as a historical monument to protect the mouldings, gilding, fireplace, and original parquet floor. The lifestyle at the time of the Empire has been completely recreated in this Suite.
The decor of the other rooms is more sober, in shades of blue, white, ecru and gold: the colours of the Empire but also Asia. All of the rooms have a different layout because the original apartments were of different shapes and sizes. The choice of materials is a true work of craftsmanship, every detail has been thoroughly researched in order to recreate the ambiance of the period but without compromising on modern comforts: television, telephone, coffee-maker, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel...
The bathrooms all have heated marble floors, two sinks, a TV screen embedded in the mirror, and some have a window. Some of the bathrooms even have a view of the Eiffel tower from the bathtub, and the white tea welcome products are provided by Bulgari.
Overview
9.45/10
This magnificent residence was built between 1891 and 1894 by the great-nephew of Napoleon I, Prince Roland Bonaparte. Shangri-La, the Hong Kong-based luxury hotel chain, transformed it into a luxury hotel following many years of restoration. The Shangri-La Paris first opened its doors in October 2010. The old reception rooms where the Prince received his guests are now staterooms and lounges where hotel guests can meet, talk, read, and enjoy a drink at the fireplace. The interiors are still in the Empire style, but some Asian touches and exotic ornaments have been added to complement the decor.
Roland Bonaparte was an explorer, botanist, and geographer who created an immense herbarium and owned more than 200,000 books on the topic. In the lift you will also find traces of his passion for botany in the pictures of flowers and their names that are displayed on the walls.
For private parties and special events, the former ballroom and dining room have been turned into reception rooms while retaining their original decor: the fireplaces, gilt mouldings, parquet floors and woodwork have been fully restored to their original glory.
A spa with a 16m pool should open by the end of 2011, offering a view to the outside through its many windows. Guests will be able to choose from a number of different massages that they will be able to enjoy from their room or suite.
Food and drink
9.70/10
The original restaurant at the hotel is called La Bauhinia. Now you might be asking yourself what the name means. Bauhinia is the flower - from the orchid family - that adorns the Hong Kong flag. The restaurant is based on traditional French cuisine and the room is topped by a magnificent glass roof in pure Gustave Eiffel style. The decor is reminiscent of the 1930s, designed to suit the style of the glass dome. The shades of green and orange-red are enhanced by the brightness of the room. The wallpaper is decorated with old Chinese drawings and the Bauhinia motif features on the plates, napkins etc. The Murano chandelier, specially designed by Pierre Yves Rochon, draws the eye to the glass dome. French chef, Philippe Labbé, prepares traditional French cuisine plus an additional 5 Asian dishes, specialities from different regions of southeast Asia.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea. The Bauhinia enjoys an excellent reputation throughout Paris and boasts a loyal and increasingly large clientele.
The bar, open from 2:00pm to 1:00am, is where you can discover some forty cocktails with Asian ingredients and spices in a very cosy atmosphere. The bartender used to work at the Ritz Hemingway Bar. The decor is inspired by Napoleon's return to Paris after his Egyptian campaign.
To know
A spa with a 16m pool is scheduled to be opened by the end of 2011 in the residence's former stables. A new gourmet restaurant, L'Abeille (French cuisine), has recently been added and is open for evening meals, and another one should open its doors this summer: the Shang Palace (Cantonese cuisine), which will be open for lunch and dinner.
Many parts of the hotel, such as the reception rooms, lounges, galleries, stained glass windows, the grand staircase, and the living room of the Imperial Suite are listed as official historical monuments.
Equipment
Shuttle bus
Car park
Handicap access
Restaurant
Internet access
Air conditioning
Spa
massage, sauna, keep fit, spa, wellness
Swimming pool
Sports equipment
tennis, gym, fitness
Animals allowed
Meeting room
advantage
The location, with a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower
The decor, which immediately takes you back to the Empire era
disadvantages
This Empire style can be a bit over the top A night at the Shangri-La is like spending a night at the museum
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This is a small and dated establishment that might just charm those who feel nostalgic about to good old days. You have to overlook the clumsy copies of works of art and not be offended by the association of Napoleonic furniture and worn-out wall paintings.
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Confidentiality is the order of the day at this very upmarket establishment, perfect for VIPs looking for a little discretion, and private events are also held here.
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Amy Adejokun
Section editor
