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
spa, wellness, massage, sauna, keep fit
Swimming pool
Sports equipment
gym, fitness, tennis
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
Discretion and a very British sense of style are the order of the day at this hotel. Lovers of fine food and wine will be in seventh heaven dining on the creations of the Michelin chef famed for his macaroons, whilst those who are used to luxury accommodation will appreciate the refined details, plush ambience and professional reserve of the staff here. If you like very well-lit surroundings, however, this is probably not the place for you!
Set away from a quiet residential street a short walk away from the Champs Elysées, the Garden Elysée is a pleasant hotel with light and spacious rooms and a good range of facilities including an outdoor patio in the summer and a conservatory. Ideal for business types but couples and families looking for no-fuss accommodation.
Well-located close to the Champs Elysées, the Floride Etoile lies in a back street away from the hubbub of the capital. The hotel is basic and clean. It could do with a little spruce up. The staff is very friendly and willing. Guests can also use some of the facilities at sister hotel next door, the Garden Elysée. Ideal for families due to the connecting rooms on the ground floor.
The Hotel de Sévigné is located in a calm and quiet neighbourhood; it boasts a neo-classical interior and is masterfully managed by a very friendly couple.
Don't expect to be bowled over by the Waldorf Trocadéro. Despite the friendly welcome and good service in the rooms, there is neither a spa nor a restaurant. Basically, while the establishment is perfectly acceptable, it is unlikely to be a lasting memory.
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.
This is a hotel full of French style in which no copies or reproductions will be tolerated. The Bristol is one of the few luxury hotels in Paris that belongs to a European family (German) rather than one of the great families of Asia or the United Arab Emirates. Stylish, classy and refined, the Bristol holds great importance in the quality and authenticity of its features and materials. Its gourmet restaurant attracts a demanding clientele that is fond of excellent cuisine.
The George V is one of the most prestigious Parisian palaces in the city. You barely have to cross the threshold before realising you are entering a hotel in which luxury, perfection and indulgence are the name of the game. Boasting rooms fit for a princess, impressive lounges and a Michelin-starred restaurant, the George V ticks all the boxes when it comes to satisfying even the most demanding of guests. The interior designer Pierre Yves Rochon oversaw the complete refurbishment of the building in 1997, and has since then continued to make improvements to the decor in the 18th Century style.
The latest Parisian palace to open its doors on 1 August 2014. The French chic and sophistication goes perfectly with the Asian elegance in the magnificent building dating from 1908. This is the Peninsula Group's first hotel to open in France but also in Europe.
It took five Haussmanian buildings to bring the Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme into existence, and it is the first luxury hotel in Paris to be designed in a contemporary fashion. Comfort, style and impeccable service all come together here in a younger, more modern setting.
Inaugurated on 28 February 2012, the W Paris - Opera has finally opened in the City of Light. The Starwood brand linked to fashion and trends thus has its own prestigious establishment in Paris. Nestled in a 19th century building, the hotel is in a great location. Design and modernity, with a conceptual touch, all come together here. Its designer is in the best position to explain why, since we're not sure it's really clear otherwise, but the W Paris-Opera is centred around the theme The Spark. The establishment thus defines itself as a "spark", creating a fictitious connection between the very first W hotel in New York and its newest sibling in Paris.
At the heart of the Opera district, the W can already rely on its guests who are fans of the brand and hopes that word of mouth will make it the place to be in the area; not just for its rooms but for its restaurant and bar as well.
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.
The Meurice is one of Paris's best addresses. With its contemporary yet quintessentially Parisian décor realised by great names such as Stark and his daughter. The Meurice is an exclusive haunt. the hotel's main restaurant, Le Meurice, is headed by 3 Michelin star Chef Yannick Alléno which is, needless to say, one of the highlights of a stay at the hotel. In a fantastic location right opposite the Jardin des Tuileries, the rooms are tastefully decorated and the service is impeccable.
Crossing the threshold into the Intercontinental hotel brings you closer to the great historical events the French capital has experienced. Listed as a historical monument and opposite the Opéra, the Intercontinental was opened in 1862 by Offenbach and is one of the most legendary luxury hotels Paris has to offer. Both the staff and the decor reach the kind of standards that will satisfy even the most demanding of guests. The only thing that could be seen as negative is the very formal nature of the welcome. If you do not like the French style of service, you are best off choosing elsewhere.
Amy Adejokun
Section editor
