Introducing Le Meurice: Holiday Like King Louis XIV Next Time You’re In Paris
The Versailles-style grandeur of the hotel, located in the beating heart of The City of Lights, offers weary travellers a luxurious stay, fit for royalty…
Echoing the splendor of the upper echelons of society who have for over two centuries chosen the property as their Parisian abode, Le Meurice’s long and eccentric history features visits from kings, aristocrats, glitterati and, most recently, Twitterati.
If the walls could speak, they would tell tales from Picasso’s wedding day which left a painting in the banquet room with a dent – still visible – from a flying champagne cork. Or maybe stories about long-term guest Salvador Dalí’s behavior and how it often lived up to the surrealism of his paintings. But most definitely about how the hotel earnt its moniker of ‘Hôtel Des Rois’ (Hotel of the Kings), from welcoming Queen Victoria to The King of Spain, Alphonse XIII, the Sultan of Zanzibar, the Maharaja of Jaipur and many more in between.
Located on the bustling Rue de Rivoli, overlooking the regal Jardins Des Tuileries and a few meters away from the Louvre, Place Vendome and the luxury boutiques of Rue St Honore, Le Meurice accommodates its guests in the palpable beating heart of Paris. Nestled between a splendid Haussmann façade, the hotel’s porter flanked gilded doors are a portal between the buzzing Parisian Golden Triangle and a refined space of storied opulent luxury.
The ornate grandeur is a throwback to the 18th Century with elaborate mosaic floors, friezes, paintings, hand-carved moldings, columns and pilasters. Renovations by Philippe Starck have punctuated the common spaces with whimsical modernity such as vinyl lounge chairs decorated with 18th Century portraits.
Designed by Charles Jouffre, the 160 rooms and suites vary in size and grandeur all echoing the Louis XVI- style spirit. Plush armchairs, sumptuous grand curtains in silk, gilded mirrors, ornate wall mouldings and chandeliers dominate the aesthetic. Bathrooms are a decadent affair, decked out in Italian Carrara marble. The newly refurbished suites boast minimalistic Versailles vibes, perfect for modern tastes in decor; think duck-egg colour palettes and Missoni-style chairs. A lofty level of tech is subtly woven into the fantasy, providing enough Parisian romance without being cliché.
Alan Ducasse has been supervising the gastronomical experiences at Le Meurice since 2013. With Chef Amaury Bouhours at the helm of the renowned Le Meurice Alain Ducasse – the two Michelin-starred gastronomic offering. The traditional codes of gastronomy have been shaken up to reflect the modernity of the times, complimented by Philippe Starck’s designs. Inspired by the Salon de la Paix at the Château de Versailles, the majestic setting has been carefully enhanced by playful touches, including iconic Eero Saarinen Tulip chairs, two decorative screens and a sculpture capturing the suspended movement of water.
These modern elements sit perfectly amongst the antique mirrors, crystal chandeliers and elegant frescoes, creating a stunning setting for the outstanding cuisine. Mean while Inspired by Dalí and designed by Philippe Starck, Restaurant Le Dalí is a lively celebration of local, seasonal French cuisine. An entirely different gastronomic event awaits, as executive pastry chef Cédric Grolet turns out afternoon teas of such delight that they have catapulted the chef into the city’s gastronomic elite.
If you are looking for the total Parisian immersion, look no further than the grande dame of Paris – Le Meurice.
For more information, visit dorchestercollection.com.
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