Who's Going
Nicolas Sarkozy, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cate Blanchett
Reason to Stay
Designer Hotel, Convenient Location, In-House Spa
Hotel Type
City Hotel
Its aspirations and press reviews put it in grand territory, touting a 21st Century spin on such grand dame hotels as Le Crillon and Plaza Athenee at the corner of George V and Champs-Elysées. It's the newest hotel to hit Paris's posh 8th Arrondissement in almost a decade owned by Lucien Barriere, who also operates the Majestic Cannes and Royal Deauville. Since opening in early 2007, the hotel has become a darling of the French media and even acted as celebratory home of President Nicolas Sarkozy on his election night. Uber-stylized doormen in pastel fedoras ala Celine Dion's 1999 Galliano Oscar outfit attend a Hausmann-style façade and modest entryway. Guests enter a curved lobby lounge arranged in royal gold and pewter tones decorated with pleated drapery, sculpted-glass chandeliers and plush couches yet to attract a notable scene. A center passageway with embroidered silk wallpaper and spiral staircase leads to the main check-in area with reception desk emblazed with beveled rococo mirrors.
A basement is home to U Spa, a full-service day health resort offering European facials, sports massage and variety of skin treatments from medically trained technicians. At the center of the spa is a Roman-style indoor pool, the largest in Paris, and state-of-the-art fitness room with high-end cardio and pilates equipment. Two separate restaurants include Fouquet's located along the Champs-Elysées, where the hotel derives it's name. One of the oldest restaurants in Paris, this traditional brasserie was once a favorite of Marlene Dietrich and Jackie O. Le Dian is situated in a rotunda-topped dining room and terrace along the architectural inner courtyard of the hotel. A contemporary space of oval-back chairs and tailored banquettes in powdery-plush fabrics opens to an exquisite outdoor terrace popular for summer cocktail soirees.
The Room
We expect big things from our room, accessed via two narrow elevators opening to a long hallway of side-by-side doors camouflaged with large room numbers and dramatic floral carpeting. An electronic key digitally unlocks the door, providing properly placed over the electronic sensor next to the door. A cherry-wood door opens to yet another hallway connecting to the superior guest room intersected by two closet-size alcoves containing a wood paneled wardrobe and marble-tiled toilet room separate from the main bedroom and bathroom. Beauty is in the details. We overlook the formulaic lack-of-design in placing a long desk directly in front of the bed and instead marvel at the oversize mirror concealing an inlaid flatscreen TV, intricate leather-tufted headboard and on-call butler available 24-hours a day. A double entryway of wood-and-glass doors frames a meticulous bathroom with soaking tub, large enclosed rain shower and second recessed television. A small spritzer of Hermes perfume compliments two separate arrangements of private label toiletries that’s one of France’s top hotel fragrance brands. As you look around the main bathroom you’ll notice the obvious, namely there’s no toilet. The toilet is actually located through the room, up the hallway and directly next to the doorway. Once there, the compact commode room lacks any hand washing facility, meaning another trip back to the main bathroom.
Preferred Room
Standard Deluxe
Special Features
Designer Hotel, Restaurant, Celebrity Clientele
Amenities
Spa, Fitness Room, Lounge, Bar, Restaurant
