Why stay anywhere else? When the English think of Paris glamour, it is the Ritz that first springs to mind, and when you step through the revolving doors, you will experience its magic. From the grand lobby and luxurious suites to the charming bars and elegant dining rooms, this historic landmark never fails to stir the imagination and enchant all who stay here. The 18th century mansion boasts an exceptional location in the heart of Paris on the Place Vendôme, and the hotel’s classic French elegance and lavish white-glove service set a standard for excellence. The Ritz Paris is situated right near the fashion boutiques and designers of the Faubourg Saint-Honore and the Rue de la Paix.

The facilities

The Ritz Health Club offers sumptuous services and is home to the largest (and, arguably, the most beautiful) private swimming pool in Paris, a gilded gem ringed by columns inspired by Mohamed Al Fayed’s admiration for the English painter Alma Tadema. Relax in the steam bath, sauna or Jacuzzi, or with treatments from accomplished masseurs and beauticians in. The ultra-modern fitness equipment reflects a zeal for advanced technology and daily classes reassert the Ritz’s standard for service.

The Michelin-starred Restaurant L’Espadon resides in a bright, elegant room under a vast trompe l’oeil ceiling, and serves authentic and inventive gastronomic cuisine from the award-winning chef Michel Roth. Always an elegant choice to meet in Paris, The Ritz offers 3 bars: The velvet-lined Ritz bar, the warm and relaxed Bar Vendôme, and the classical Hemingway Bar, named for the great author and home to a large selection of malt whiskies and classic cocktails.

The rooms

Maids and bellhops pad past you on thick blue carpets, and the ornate walls hung with tapestry panels. 159 opulent rooms and suites are classic French in style and have been home to a seemingly endless list of famous faces, including habitués Marcel Proust, Elton John and Oscar de la Renta. Comfortable, plush, cosy and full of antiques, you too can feel entirely at home in the deep armchairs, gazing out of the tall windows onto lush gardens, the Place Vendôme or the rue Cambon. Bathrooms are in creamy marble, modern to just the right degree.

The six Prestigue suites are true pinnacles of luxury. One, the lavish Coco Chanel suite, is inspired by the avant-garde designer who made the Ritz her home for more than 35 years and brought with her a character that remains today with Coromandel laquerware, rock crystals, baroque mirrors and Chinese furniture. The Imperial Suite is a destination for the world’s dignitaries. a grand four-room jewel complete with bas reliefs, antique woodwork, marble chimneys and monumental sculpted doors and windows.