Good hotels offer comfort, but great ones offer heritage, specific identity, non-replicable personality, characteristics and ethos on top of the best amenities.
I like to think of Le Meurice as an anglo-french woman, equally at ease in haute couture as horseback riding in the countryside, a patron of the arts addicted to beauty, intelligence and brilliant conversations…someone that wouldn’t think twice about leaving a boring gala in a foreign city to go having some local delicacies in a “hole in the wall” bar and dance the night away in a no fuss nightclub.
Cultivated and self possessed, she knows who she is, therefore she is free.
Location and Decor
Stunningly located on rue de Rivoli, overlooking the regal Tuileries Garden and a few meters away from the Louvre, Place Vendome and Rue St Honore’s uber cool shops, Le Meurice accommodates its prized guests in the best of Paris’ beating heart.
The oldest Palace Hotel in Paris (1835) is also one of the most architecturally significant hotels in Europe, showcasing all the charm of the 18th Century with its elaborate mosaic floors, friezes, paintings, hand carved moldings, columns and pilasters, it has kept its original architectural details and the spirit of a truly splendid palace.
Rooms
There are 160 rooms and suites in the Hotel, each a perfectly conceived retreat, with fine furnishing and luxurious fabrics. The decoration of every room is unique and all furniture is upholstered in fabrics from top of the line French and Italian companies such as Rubelli and Braquenié.
Unapologetically pampered as always, Yours Truly enjoyed an Executive Suite with Jardin des Tuileries view; a Charles Jouffre designed study in romance and refinement with views all over the city and its iconic monuments from both the living and bedroom, not to mention the gorgeous all marble bathroom the size of an average Paris studio.
Service
Service here has to meet the demands of some of the most sophisticated Lux Traveller. Official visitors to France, global business executives; many kings and cabinet ministers, sultans and arch dukes, marajahs and princesses regard the Hotel as the only place to stay when in the City of Lights, not to mention the endless list of Hollywood superstars.
Elevated to a real form of art, with a staff of almost 400, service is anticipating and discretely attending any guest’s need and desire without hesitation and with the knowledge of seasoned professionals.
Ambience
Impossible to talk about the engaging atmosphere you breathe at the hotel without mentioning some anecdotes. From Salvador Dalí and his surrealistic demands to Coco Chanel’s receptions in the 1930s, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton romance to Jay-Z , so obsessed with the venue to the point of booking multiple interconnecting suites as a recording studio and paying homage singing “Le Meurice for like, six days” in one of his biggest hits.
All this and much more is fully reflected in the eclectic vibe you can feel there…grand chandeliers and solemn vaults as well as a frosted mirror in the entrance where guests can sign or leave a message, just for fun!
Spa
Since 2008 Le Meurice started a partnership with leading Swiss brand Valmont creating the only Valmont spa in Paris.
The heavenly serene spa is a triumph of pale colours and perfectly trained aestheticians where science and nature blend to achieve amazing results, this Lux Traveller particularly loved the 90 minutes customized facial ritual and the relaxing massage able to revive him after a 17 hours+ flight the afternoon of his arrival.
Insider Tips
Indulge in fine dining at the stunning Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse,
Don’t miss the Bar 228 with his lavish décor and decadent cocktails where patrons can order Dom Perignon by the glass, a rarity in Paris,
Pamper yourself at the Spa Valmont pour Le Meurice,
Let the concierge team help you out for difficult or even impossible looking tickets or activities in and out of town…you won’t be disappointed.
