“This classic landmark is full-on glitz and glamour, and a monument to decadence and luxury like nowhere else in Paris.”
On an elegant, shady street of the eighth arrondisement between the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, this grand dame of luxury hotels in Paris is within an easy stroll of the Champs-Elysees. Designed by an American architect, the 1928 art-deco, white- stoned structure served as Eisenhower's headquarters during the Liberation.
The facilities
Guests enter the large glass doors past friendly doormen and under original art-deco medallions. The sweeping, two-story reception gallery shows a feature seen all over this luxury hotel—highly creative plant and flower arrangements (designed by in-house floral staff). Bamboo twisted into creative shapes is a recurring motif bringing a modern, contemporary look to this high-brow favourite.
Large white umbrellas shade the courtyard tables and radiate into the tea gallery and the dining room, where much of the food service comes on trolleys for ultimate heat control and a bit of entertainment value. Appropriately named Le Cinq, this gold-gilded restaurant is an opulent choice for enjoying some of the Paris’s most elaborate service and cuisine. An Edwardian bar with a fireplace and burnished with wood panelling faces the street and serves lighter fare. The bill is not much lighter than the restaurant, however.
The health facilities offer massage, hot soaking tubs, aromas, soft music, and light food in a neo-Roman atmosphere with a trompe l'oeil mural of Versailles. Besides a modest, underlighted pool, facilities include whirlpools, saunas, eleven treatment rooms for massage, and facials (supplemented by bird songs and pleasant aromas). A new 24-karat gold massage and body wrap is a popular offering. The workout room is computerised, and a steam room serves as the perfect decompression chamber.
A marble elevator rises to impressive hallways and guest rooms containing mostly reproduction pieces in directoire and Louis XVI style, with some authentic antiques—secretaires and armoires—in the mix. The rooms of this luxury hotel showcase silk brocade, chandeliers and damask spreads for authenticity, but also boast flat-screen TVs, VCRs and PlayStations, CD players, high-speed internet access, and wireless keyboards for internet access.
Minibars reside in the foyers, and the desks come with three phone lines for data transmission, fax transmission and voice mail. The marble-laden bath is a light-filled refuge, with a double vanity, terrycloth robes, slippers, stall showers, bidet, mirrors and Bulgari toiletries. Premier rooms have sitting areas, and some rooms and suites offer private terraces with occasional views of the city's famous sights. The most affordable rooms can only accommodate two guests.
Small, quiet pets are permitted, and nonsmokers have a dedicated section of rooms. This is a main hideout for celebrities and fashion glitterati, but those with well-lined pockets enjoy it here too. While the Meurice and Plaza Athenee provide more Parisian flair, this house ranks second to none for deluxe comfort in the French capital.
Address: 31 avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France
Booking info
Departure: Tue 9 Sep 2008
No. adults: 2
Check Availability
Who stays here
The hotel's credentials are impeccable - it opened in 1928 in honor of George V of England, grandfather of Queen Elizabeth and has hosted the royal, the rich and the powerful ever since - it's also the classic Paris honeymoon hotel. Everyone should stay here once.
Come for
- The ego boost you get from walking through the doors
- The fabulous, decadent suites
- Probably the world's most creative flowers
Not suitable for
- Paupers - it's more suitable for princes
- Small-scale intimacy
Awards
Conde Nast Traveller Gold List 05; Le Cinq was awarded Three Michelin Stars
Children
The hotel is very family-friendly, and invites children to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the hotel and restaurant. They will provide extra beds in the larger rooms for children, and offer interconnecting rooms for families. The hotel restaurant has a special childrens menu, and the staff will leave a personalized t-shirt and small bathrobe in the room as part of their childrens program.
Eating in
Le Cinq has been called "a portal of heaven"; Chef Philippe Legendre has earned two Michelin stars for his forward-thinking French cuisine. The very elegant dining room is dressed in grey and gold and the tablecloths, china and silver were all created specifically for the hotel.
