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Cheval Blanc

With only 72 rooms and suites and  a team of butlers & concierges , Cheval Blanc’s main focus is catering to your every need– it’s all about you and  the word ‘non’ does not exist is their vocabulary!  Since Cheval Blanc is part of the LVMH brand, would you accept anything less ? Located in the  1st arrondissement, the hotel  is a quick walk to the  Louvre and perfect for exploring the right and left banks from Le Marais to Saint-Germain. It is also the only luxury hotel in Paris with direct views of the Seine .  The uber elegant rooms have hammam walk-in showers, oversized marble tubs and luxurious , large bottles of Dior lotions and potions that the hotel encourages you to take home !   There’s a Dior Spa, Rossano Ferretti hair salon that caters to your time schedule and one of the  most resplendent swimming pools in all of  Paris.  With 3 1/2 restaurants(long story, DM me to get the lowdown!) including Plénitude, a 3 Michelin star restaurant or Café LV by Maxime Frederic , a Louis Vuitton dedicated café and chocolate shop across the street,  I have 2 words to say to you:  Bon Appetit!

My Takeaway: With the rebirth of La Samaritaine, the iconic Parisien department store owned by LVMH and connected to Cheval Blanc by a private elevator for VIP’s only, you’ll never want to leave–especially if you’re lucky enough to experience their invitation only apartment which comes with your own personal shopper.  If it’s good enough for JLo or Catherine Deneuve…take your pick!… 

In the know: The 1st branded Louis Vuitton Hotel  will open on the Champs-Élysées which was originally earmarked to be the Dior Flagship Store.

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La Fantaisie

La Fantaisie is like entering a world of fantasy (hence, the name!) & enchantment.  The hotel is designed by Martin Brudnizki, the genius behind Annabel’s , the members- only club in London,  but La Fantaisie  is open to the public !  Located in the 9th arrondissement near the renowned covered passageways adorned with charming antique shops , restaurants and bars, this 63 room & 10 suite lifestyle boutique hotel is whimsical and a breath of fresh air.   The rooms are a treat to the senses with unexpected bursts of vibrant colors , botanical-themed wallpaper, elegant floral-covered banquettes and gold gilded bookshelves. The rooftop bar is trés cool, colorful and oh so chic! Renowned San Francisco 3 star Michelin chef, Dominique Crenshaw, adds a touch of culinary magic to your experience at the in-house restaurant, Golden Poppy , which is surrounded by a lush year round urban garden(fish takes center stage since it is meat free). 

My Takeaway: one of the standout features is the availability of connecting rooms . I am happy to note that ,with their commitment to sustainability, La Fantaisie embraces a zero-plastic policy.  Bravo!

In the know:  La  Fantaisie will be opening in Rome in 2024.

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Le Grand Mazarin

Le Marais district was praying for a new 5 star hotel and , voila, their wish was granted–  Le Grand Mazarin just opened this past September !  This 50 room ,  11 suite hotel in the 4^th arrondissement is designed by Martin Brudnizki who, as I have mentioned,  also  designed La Fantaisie(he certainly is keeping busy!)  , but the style is aristocratic French with a twist of contemporary thrown in for good measure.  The mosaic swimming pool with a Jean Cocteau inspired fresco  is the biggest (and most opulent) pool in Le Marais and, with the hammam and jacuzzi , you never have to leave the premises. 

The buzz about town-and all of Europe, by the way, is how crazy good  Boubalé, the Ashkenazi restaurant from the Michelin-starred chef, Assaf Granit is which is my ‘takeaway’ and ‘in the know’ recommendation. You heard it here first !!!!

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Rosewood Crillon

Before Rosewood took over the Crillon in 2013, it had a small , claustrophobic lobby and a stuffy atmosphere. The hotel was closed for 4 years and everyone wondered if it would be worth the wait; the consensus is yes, yes and yes!   The Crillon has been transformed into the most elegant, magical Palace hotel, yet you still feel a sense of place and history in this 18^th century historical building. Located in the 8^th arrondissement overlooking the Place de la Concorde (where Marie Antoinette used to take her piano lessons), the 124 rooms & suites are designed with a mix of antiques , original 18^th century artwork and vintage furnishings, but don’t let that fool you, it is a tech paradise including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi ,  sophisticated sound systems , underfloor bathroom heating and in-mirror TV’s.

The indoor heated pool sparkles with over 17,600 inlaid gold scales , there are 213 varieties of champagne in their see-and-be-seen Les Ambassadeurs Bar , about 40,000 bottles of wine in La Cave and the marble bathtub in the Karl Lagerfeld suite weighs over 2 tons.  It’s all about the numbers, mes amis!.

My takeaway: Love the look of the lobby, with all day dining options from Butterfly Patisserie (delectable, decadent homemade confections) to  Nonos & Comestibles brasserie (overseen by the triple Michelin starred chef Paul Pairet) to Jardin D’Hiver Lounge (a local gathering spot for afternoon tea).  What won my heart, however, is their Buly 1893 skin care and beauty products, which are in the suites and their gift shop.

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Maison Proust

Maison Proust is a gem for book lovers and art enthusiasts alike. It is located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris and belongs to the Collection Maisons Particulieres hotel group, which also owns Maison Souquet, a former 1900 Parisian brothel turned into a chic hotel. Maison Proust is inspired by the Belle Epoque era and the literary works of Marcel Proust, one of the most influential French novelists. The hotel boasts over 2000 rare books and signed editions by Proust and his contemporaries, such as Victor Hugo, Balzac, Flaubert and Colette. The best part is that guests can freely browse and read these books during their stay. The hotel has 23 suites, each decorated with original 19th century paintings and exquisite furnishings sourced by international designer Jacques Garcia, who scoured antique markets and auction houses to create an atmosphere of decadence. The hotel also has a Moorish style spa that partners with luxury skincare brand La Mer and pays homage to Marcel Proust’s written memories of his aunt’s living room. The spa can be privatized by any guest staying at the hotel.

In the Know: The intimate bar/lounge evokes the atmosphere of the Belle Epoque era (although I do not have first-hand knowledge!), but the pièce de résistance is—drumroll please… Colin Field,  the master mixologist and head bartender extraordinaire of the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz Paris Hotel for many years, who will now be at the Maison Proust bar every Friday to mix (literally), mingle and share his extraordinary stories (and he has plenty) with the guests of the hotel.

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Maison Villeroy

Tucked away in the 8th arrondissement, Maison Villeroy is a former palatial home built in 1908 that offers a luxurious and private retreat for discerning travelers. With only 11 exquisite rooms & suites, including 2 spacious apartments, this boutique hotel is the perfect pied-à-terre for your Parisian escapade. Moreover, you can enjoy the sumptuous cuisine of the twice awarded Michelin-star chef Sebastien Sanjou at Trente-Trois, the exclusive restaurant where you will always be accommodated (despite there only being 6 tables!). The elegant and exclusive members-only bar features a 24/7 expert mixologist–sacré bleu! Get pampered at the sensual stone and marble spa that can be privatized for your convenience-the hammam, sauna, jacuzzi and Vichy shower is reserved in your name! Maison Villeroy is more than just a hotel, it is your home away from home -or mansion, if you take over the entire property!

In the Know : The parent company, The Collection,  just opened their 1^st North American property in the Big Apple. Ya-hoo! Located on the West Village waterfront, there are 10 residences ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms . We all know it’s all about the amenities:  a panoramic rooftop, in house spa & fitness center and concierge services.  Look for an in-house restaurant with a 2 Michelin star chef starting in February 2024.  I don’t know if I can wait that long!

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SO/Paris

I didn’t know what to expect from SO/ Paris, a sub-brand of Sofitel, when I first arrived. It seemed like just another trendy lifestyle hotel. The building looked like an ordinary office building from the outside, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found inside. All the rooms in this 162-room hotel in the 4^th arrondissement started from the 7th floor, which meant every room had a view of a Parisian monument. I could see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, the Pantheon or Invalide from any room, depending on the location.  The best view, however, was from the 15th floor, where Bonnie Restaurant & Terrace offered a 360-degree panoramic view of the Paris skyline. The Eiffel Tower was so close, it felt like I could touch it!

My takeaway:  As with all luxury lifestyle hotels in Paris, the difference between them and Palace hotels is that the staff all wear cool sneakers. 👟 Just saying….

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Kudos: Four Seasons George V

I have to admit, when the Four Seasons took over the George V Hotel many moons ago, it lost its Parisien charm and the hotel could have been located anywhere.  I am happy to report it has rediscovered and embraced its unique sense of place. Discreetly tucked away in the courtyard, there are 3 Michelin star restaurants boasting a total of 5 stars (undoubtedly an impressive feat). Located in the 8th arrondissement, the 244 rooms and suites elegantly combine Parisian contemporary aesthetics with a touch of Art Deco, instantly immersing guests in an atmosphere of refined sophistication. The spa featuring a 17- meter-long swimming pool, fitness center, hair salon and 2 hammams is dedicated to wellness. The true masterpiece, however, lies in the unparalleled level of service provided, which is bar to none. Don’t worry, the floral arrangements are as exquisite as ever-some things are best left alone…

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