Globalista

There is something magical about the French capital, with its breathtaking architecture, chic arrondissements and wonderful museums – not to mention the fantastic ease of Eurostar if you’re travelling from London. In our guide to Paris’ best we’ve thought up a new approach to eating out using the old bridal dress formula: dine at an old favourite (something old), somewhere you’ve read about (something new), somewhere recommended by a friend (something borrowed) and somewhere a bit funky that you wouldn’t usually go to (something blue). We reveal little-known cultural gems and offer a new take on the classics, as well as the best ways to keep the children amused. And of course, we couldn’t cover Paris without a section dedicated to shopping; from famous fashion houses to stylish boutiques, legendary parfumeurs to the flea markets worth a rummage – and the best personal shopper take you there. So for those of you who need reminding, or who are seeking fresh inspiration, read on.

You can preview the Best Hotels featured in our Globalista Report below. Or buy the full Globalista Report for this destination, available at the bottom of the page.

The grande dames

Sometimes, it feels you can’t move in Paris for iconic hotels. The fantastic Four Seasons George V, for example, is one of the all-time greats. It’s close to the Champs Elysées and a one-stop shop for service, style and fantastic food courtesy of the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Cinq (see Best Restaurants: the gold list). The nearby Plaza Athénée offers luxurious opulence with 145 elegantly decorated rooms, a new Dior spa and a fabulous bar; the star attraction, however, is Alain Ducasse’s three Michelin-starred restaurant.

Commissioned in 1758 by Louis XV as a pair of government buildings, The Crillon is reputed to be where Marie Antoinette took piano lessons. It’s as grand as its history with old-school style and a wonderful restaurant (see Best Restaurants: the gold list); but be warned, we have heard whispers of unsatisfactory service. The Ritz is another classic, with 161 rooms, the largest swimming-pool in Paris and the legendary Hemingway bar where the great man used to drink. Overlooking the Jardin des Tuileries, Le Meurice reception areas were recently revamped by Philippe Starck and his daughter Ara. The marble, chandeliers and antiques exude opulence, not to mention the three-michelin star restaurant, the spa and the astonishing Belle Etoile suite which takes up the whole seventh floor. The Bristol, a former great, is these days looking a little tired although the location is still attractive.

Fashionably stylish

It doesn’t get more fashiony than Hotel Costes, the shining light of the Costes brothers’ empire and a superb place for partying. The service, however, can be a little snotty. At the Mon Hotel, near Faubourg Saint Honore, the Costes brothers are in charge of dinner in the restaurant, there's a slick black lacquered bar, a gym, a hammam and 37 rooms spread over six floors of a charming building. Designed by Ed Tuttle, the Park Hyatt Vendôme is another fashionista choice with a magnificent spa and lovely rooms. Le Bellechasse is the second hotel from designer Christian Lacroix. It’s close to the Musée d’Orsay and the 34 rooms are flamboyantly decorated – his first hotel, Le Petit Moulin, is equally eccentric.

Boutique Chic

Sexy, stylish and just a little bit gothic, L'Hôtel is a divine 20-room boutique hotel where Oscar Wilde famously lived and died. This Left Bank gem has been revamped by design maestro Jacques Garcia and is the perfect place for a naughty weekend. Hotel Particulier is Montmartre’s best-kept secret. It’s a five-suite townhouse set in gorgeous gardens, leafy, chic and the perfect place to escape the heat. Gorgeously gothic Hotel du Bourg Tibourg is another from the Costes stable with 31 rooms and a splendid location in the Marais. Nearby Marais House, a five-storey townhouse, offers an intimate, upmarket b&b experience – its five delectable rooms make it the ideal size for a small house party. Away from the buzz, Sofitel Dokhans is another secret gem and a clear romantic choice: discreetly chic with a fabulous champagne bar and quirky touches such as a lift fashioned from an old Louis Vuitton suitcase. Mixing an opulent French style with a hint of the far east, the 26-room Hotel Daniel is boudoir-chic heaven for a romantic weekend; its restaurant is incredibly romantic (see Best Restaurants: best for love).

Cheap Chic

Packed with antiques and with a decidedly 18th-century feel, Caron de Beaumarchais is a 19-room hotel in the heart of the Marais named after the playwright who wrote the original Marriage of Figaro. Le Sainte Beuve was designed by David Hicks, so its 22 rooms have a gorgeously old-school feel; its location, close to boulevard Montparnasse and Luxembourg Gardens, is hard to beat. Chic, intimate and sexy, the Odéon Saint Germain has the familiar dark and opulent Jacques Garcia feel, close to the beautiful church of Saint Sulpice.

Best long stays

If you’re planning to stay for some time in Paris and wish to do it in style, La Réserve's 10 amazing apartments will suit any discerning traveller. On the place du Trocadéro in the smart 16th arrondissement, the Rémi Tessier-designed apartments range from 150 to 300 square metres and all have concierge, daily housekeeper, valet parking and chef. Also in the 16th, Jays Paris is a five-suite hotel specialising in long stays. The suites have discreet kitchenettes, 24-hour room service and concierge. Cedric Reversade has several beautiful Parisian properties to rent on his books, including a gorgeous three-bedroom mansion in Saint Germain and a four-bed house with pool in place des Vosges. Or contact Time and Place, who have several luxurious penthouses, lofts and apartments to rent.

For more quality travel information on this destination, simply buy the full Globalista Report (£15) below:

Useful Feedback

"I like very much the style of your Globalista Report to Paris and I can only congratulate you and your team for such a good job."

Elisabeth Gil

Globalista’s Pick of the Press

12 July 2009 - The Indepedent - Got a touch of Writers Block?
10 May 2009 - The Times - Three restaurants, three walks in Paris
01 May 2009 - Spear's Wealth Management - Turning the Other Chic
18 April 2009 - The Financial Times - The most gastronomic street in Paris
05 March 2009 - The Times - Six of the best nightclubs in Paris

See the full archive of travel press articles for Paris.

Visit our Travel Journal for a recent article on Paul Smith's new shop in Paris.

Globalista Recommends