 |
|
|
The Best Luxury Hotels
Hôtel Ritz (15 place Vendôme, 1er; tel. 800/223-6800 or 01-43-16-30-30; www.ritzparis.com). This hotel, which gave the world the word "ritzy," meaning posh, occupies a magnificent palace overlooking the octagonal borders of one of the most perfect squares in the world. The decor is pure opulence. Marcel Proust wrote parts of Remembrance of Things Past here, and the world's greatest chef, Georges-Auguste Escoffier, perfected many of his recipes in the Ritz kitchens
Four Seasons Hotel George V (31 av. George V, 8e; tel. 800/332-3442 or 01-49-52-70-00; www.fourseasons.com). Humorist Art Buchwald once wrote, "Paris without the George V would be Cleveland." The swanky address has long been a favorite of celebrities in every field, including Duke Ellington, who once wrote in his memoirs that his suite was so big that he couldn't find the way out. Its public and private rooms are decorated with a vast array of antiques and Louis XIV tapestries worth millions.
Hôtel Meurice (228 rue de Rivoli, 1er; tel. 01-44-58-10-10; www.meuricehotel.com) has been restored to its former glory. It reigned as the queen-bee hotel of Paris in the 19th century and has made a comeback to preside over post-millennium Paris as well. From its Winter Garden to its sumptuous bedrooms that sheltered kings, this one is a winner.
Hôtel Pershing Hall (49 rue Pierre Charron, 8e; tel. 01-58-36-58-00; www.pershing-hall.com) is not as well known as the previous hotels, but it too ranks among Paris's pockets of posh. Converted from an elegant town house of the 19th century, it was drastically altered by Andrée Putnam, one of France's most celebrated modern designers, into this citadel of fine living. Built for the Comte de Paris and his mistress, it was the Paris headquarters for General John Pershing in World War I -- hence, its name. It's lavish, lush, and luxurious.
Plaza Athénée (25 av. Montaigne, 8e; tel. 866/732-1106 or 01-53-67-66-65; www.plaza-athenee-paris.com) is still the favorite lunchtime hangout for Parisian couturiers. It's also a lot more than that, providing luxurious accommodations for the likes of the Rockefellers and super-wealthy Brazilians. This swanky citadel is graced with potted palms, crystal chandeliers, and elegant furnishings -- you name it: Louis XV, Louis XVI, Regency, whatever. Its ivy-covered courtyard is a slice of heaven.
Hôtel d'Aubusson (33 rue Dauphine, 6e; tel. 01-43-29-43-43; www.hoteldaubusson.com) lies in the heart of St-Germain-des-Prés and is our favorite boutique hotel in Paris. It takes its name from the original Aubusson tapestries gracing its elegant public rooms. Antiques and luxurious accessories make a stay here evocative of a visit to a classy private home, filled with tasteful, beautifully decorated bedrooms and intimate public salons with baronial furnishings evocative of the era of Louis XV. You can sleep under a ceiling with exposed beams in a canopied bed.
L'Hôtel (13 rue des Beaux-Arts, 6e; tel. 01-44-41-99-00; www.l-hotel.com) is precious -- just precious -- the Left Bank's most charming little town house hotel. And, yes, this former fleabag was where the great Oscar Wilde died, disgraced and penniless. That was Glenn Close or Robert De Niro you saw walking through the lobby, but not Elizabeth Taylor, because the rooms were too small for her luggage. The hotel is a triumph of Directoire architecture, and the ambience is oh, so seductive.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
|
|
|
