Amy Adejokun
Section editor
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.
The Peninsula - © Antonio Saba / The Peninsula Paris
The Peninsula - © William Furniss / The Peninsula Paris
At number 19 avenue Kléber, one of the dozen avenues that lead to the Arc de Triomphe, it enjoys the quiet of the 16th arrondissement in the shade of the plane trees. Not far from the Champs Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, the hotel is just a stone's throw from the most beautiful monuments and most luxurious boutiques in Paris. The Peninsula's closest neighbour is the Hotel Raphael. The closest metro station, Kléber, is just metres from the hotel.
The hotel has 200 guest rooms and 34 suites, 5 of which have their own private rooftop garden with an unobstructed view of Paris. The chic and refined guest rooms are a minimum of 29m2 and are decorated in tones of grey and beige. Furnished with elegant and sophisticated lacquer furniture, they are a true ode to Parisian elegance and chic as well as fashion. The bed is enhanced by the imposing headboard that is reminiscent of the domes of the Grand Palais. The guest rooms at the Peninsula Paris are among if not the best equipped in the world in terms of technology. Two personalised interactive digital tablets (available in 11 languages) are provided in each room. Guests can use these to control everything from their bed without having to move (lights, heating, air-conditioning, television, iPod docking station) and discover the hotel's services (menus and packages for the restaurant, spa, concierge, valet box, etc.). Another of the services provided is the possibility to telephone anywhere in the world for free.
Both the bedrooms and the bathrooms have remote controls that can be used to control the various equipment from wherever you are.
The bedrooms are a cross between the Art Deco period with the television consoles, and the contemporary period.
Each guest room has a dressing room with a dressing table where you can pamper your nails and dry them using the nail-dryer - an absolute must ladies!
The marble bathrooms with their curves and rounded edges are equipped with a a beautiful bathtub with a television and a Jacuzzi for some, as well as an Italian-style shower fitted with a small marble bench, and two black wash basins. Japanese toilets are featured in all of the guest rooms.
The height of luxury - a valet box allows guests to leave their laundry and shoes to be collected by a valet who will discreetly bring them back without having to enter the room.
Full of history, the listed building dating from 1908 was once the former residence of the Queen of Spain, Isabella II from 1868 to 1906, before becoming the Hotel Majestic. It was taken over by the Germans during the Occupation and was later transformed into the Headquarters of Unesco. You might be interested to know that "An American in Paris", the classic symphonic poem by George Gershwin, who stayed at the hotel in 1928, was composed inside these walls. A historic fact - in 1973, the Paris Peace Agreements ending the Vietnam War were negotiated here by Henry Kissinger.
After several years of renovations works under the guidance of the architect Richard Martinet, who also worked in the project for the Shangri-La Hotel, The Peninsula now has 200 guest rooms, a spa and various restaurants.
After admiring the magnificent and grandiose 10,000m2 limestone façade carved in Saint Leu La Foret (restored to their original form) with an 700m2exuberant Japanese-style glass roof and two monumental entrances (17 metres high), you step into a unique and enchanting universe.
In the traditional Lobby, guests can admire the high ceilings with their majestic vaults,
decorated with draperies. In the centre hangs the Lasvit chandelier formed of 800 hand blown crystal leaves. The elegant and contemporary furniture is set off by the marble floor. Guests arriving by car will arrive at the other side, at the main entrance on Avenue des Portugais, where there is direct access to the underground car park.
The interior decor features a modern Art Deco style, while also maintaining the Peninsula look. The decoration was entrusted to Henry Leung.
The Peninsula also sets itself apart with the quality of its customer service, with no fewer than 600 employees for just 200 guest rooms. Asian service and welcome take on their full meaning here.
No fewer than 6 catering facilities are installed in the hotel.
Guests can savour renowned French cuisine in the various restaurants.
The Lobby, serves food throughout the day in a magical setting, in a large dining room decorated with moulds, high ceilings and Belle Epoque paintings. Both French and international cuisine are served here. The charming terrace underneath the glass roof is set to become THE place to eat in the area.
Guests can take in the view of the capital from the stunning panoramic terrace of the Oiseau Blanc. A dining room has also been installed for those rainy days, but the roof can be opened up at the first sign of sunshine. Here you can try bistrot-style food and traditional French cuisine with a contemporary twist. Why is it called the Oiseau Blanc (French for White Bird) you ask? It is named after Charles Nungesser and François Coli's plane that disappeared on 8 May 1927 while crossing the Atlantic from Paris to New York. A replica of the Oiseau Blanc biplane will be installed in the courtyard.
A nod to the Asian influence, the Lili restaurant serves traditional Cantonese cuisine and Hong Kong specialities in a Chinese ambiance. The red and black Lili restaurant pays tribute to Chinese and French opera. Guests can get comfortable in the various small private lounges. A more spacious dining room overlooking avenue Kléber affords a view of the Kléber Terrace restaurant, where you can sample the Cantonese dishes. Here guests can not only discover gourmet Cantonese cuisine but also the ritual of the tea ceremony. No fewer than 20 types of tea leaves are available to taste. A little unusual touch - it is possible to eat at the Chef's table opposite the kitchens. An 8-person table will be set out in front of the kitchen of the Cantonese restaurant.
For a spot of relaxation, head to the Kléber Bar covered in panelling and decorated with moulds and gilding. On the Kléber Terrace, guests can enjoy cocktails, spirits and champagnes, as well as Vietnamese gins and wines.
Another place to unwind is the Kleber Lounge, where you can peacefully smoke one of the many cigars from the cigar cellar.
A magnificent 1800m2 spa composed of 8 rooms (including 2 VIP rooms) offers treatments and massages using superb products from the Espa brand. A 22m long indoor swimming pool and two gyms (one weight training room and one cardio room) will be available for guests to use.
The Peninsula opened its doors on 1 August 2014. Its London counterpart is set to open in 2019. The The Péninsula Paris is the Hong Kong group's tenth hotel worldwide.
The hotel has its own fleet of cars composed of Rolls Royces, Mini Coopers and BMWs. All boasting the Peninsula's colour - green. The cars are available to guests to get to the airport, to go shopping or to visit the major sites of the French capital.
spa, wellness, massage, sauna
fitness
Originally built to attract wealthy British travellers in 1925, the award-wining Raphael exudes French charm and luxury. A quintessential symbol within Paris's hotel industry; the hotel is a Paris institution despite it being on the smaller side. It welcomes high profile celebrities from all four corners of the globe and has recently become a Small Leading Hotel of the World.
Despite its contemporary design, this hotel has kept a classic look and subtle class, as exemplified by the staff who are right on top of their game but come across as relaxed and spontaneous.
A pleasant and welcoming hotel
A great find in this district
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 establishment boasts the colours and the typically-Scandinavian sobriety that has become the trademark of this hotel group. Nothing is overdone, everything remains discrete, which comes as a relief in this kind of neighbourhood. It's the perfect address for couples who want to enjoy the pleasures of the city.
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.
The Galiléo is located in the centre but in a very quiet residential street, ideal for guests looking for a little peace and quiet. The hotel is small, basic, clean and the staff is very friendly.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.