Hôtel Le Bristol
8th Arrondissement
COST: $$$$$
Although this grande dame—just east of the Place Charles de Gaulle—is done up in a style that’s pure French fantasy (endless toile fabric and Rococo furniture), management hasn’t skipped touches of cool, like Smart cars (available for shopping excursions). The on-site Anne Sémonin spa has a cult following for its jet-lag facials, and pedicurist Bastien Gonzalez is a star in his own right. Other amenities—Hermès robes laid out in the city’s largest bathrooms, a sizable (13,000 square feet) formal garden that’s scented with magnolias in spring, and personalized bouquets created by the hotel’s florists upon request—round out the experience.
Insider Tip: Even if you don’t intend to take a dip in the rooftop pool (it’s charmingly designed to look like a 19th-century yacht), visit the adjoining solarium for the sweeping city vistas.
Room to Book: Any of those in the new 26-room Avenue Matignon wing with Eiffel Tower views.
From the T+L 500
Stately 1925 palace near high-end shopping and antiques dealers; reopened in 2007 after an extensive renovation.
- Stats:
- 161 rooms; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
- Competitive Edge:
- An updated classic with fantastic amenities (a Michelin 2-starred restaurant; an Anne Semonin spa).
- Rooms to Book:
- Those with Eiffel Tower views in the new 26-room wing on Avenue Matignon.
- Don't Miss:
- A moonlight dip in the rooftop pool.
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