From Paris With Love
On the eve of PFW, Bazaar visits one of the capital’s most iconic hotels
Having just been named in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Hotels ranking, Le Bristol Paris has got plenty to celebrate. Stepping into the property feels like being transported to a bygone age of French elegance. Having opened its doors in 1925 on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, one of the capital’s most prestigious addresses situated just two blocks from the Elysée Palace, the property quickly became a favourite with glamorous stars of the silver screen – everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe have stayed here – and its charm has seen it take on iconic status amongst Parisian hotels. Today, it continues to attract film luminaries from Angelina Jolie to George Clooney, with its Panoramic Suite even being featured in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris; alongside a savvy fashion crowd.
During Paris Fashion Week, the hotel is frequented by a selection of the world’s most notable designers, models, and photographers. Its fashion credentials are set to be bolstered further this month with the launch of a new collaboration with California leisurewear brand Sporty & Rich. The co-branded capsule collection of ready-to-wear and accessories, launching September 27, has been conceived to encompass the modern traveller’s sartorial essentials, bringing together Le Bristol’s refined elegance and the relaxed yet sophisticated aesthetic of Emily Oberg’s breakthrough brand, Sporty & Rich.
Details – whether design-focused or service-led, are important at Le Bristol. A handwritten note welcomes each guest to their “home in Paris”, a sentiment that resonates palpably with frequent visitors. Attentive staff recall even the most trifling of preferences to ensure that guests are left totally relaxed and at ease. It’s a feeling that inspired Oberg to collaborate on the casual-chic capsule. “I fell in love with Hotel Le Bristol while visiting Paris for work. It has a special feeling of history and elegance that you can’t help but noticing as soon as you walk through the door. The decor, staff and service each embody the true essence of luxury and to us, the very meaning of Sporty & Rich.”
That sense of home begins the moment that guests enter the hotel’s grand foyer. Whilst imposing – think crystal chandeliers, polished marble floors, antique tapestries, antique furniture, and spectacular floral arrangements forming a centrepiece – Le Bristol is never austere. The focus, rather, is on character and charm. An archaic glass and wrought-iron lift backs onto an impressive staircase, whilst Paris’ most pampered pet – permanent resident Socrate the cat, is often found snoozing on one of the foyer’s plush sofas. Outside, a lush 13,000 square foot courtyard garden proves a glorious haven from the bustling city, whilst the the iconic rooftop swimming pool is the perfect place to unwind.
Accommodation options across the 190 rooms and suites are wide-ranging with luxury furnishings, rich fabrics, and elegant colour palettes providing a thread of continuity between them. Whilst unique, each suite offers its own interpretation of Parisian elegance. Opt for the Prestige Junior Suite, and enjoy exquisite fabrics by Manuel Canovas and exclusive tailor-made bed linen by Quagliotti. The bathroom features a reassuringly deep tub and a separate rain shower and double vanity. For visitors looking for the ultimate in Parisian chic, then the magnificent 3,230-square-foot Royal Suites evoke the refinement of a private 18th-century townhouse and overlook the vast 12,900-square-foot garden, or the hotel’s tranquil flower-filled courtyard garden. These suites are adorned with Louis XV and Louis XVI-period furniture in rare woods, antique prints and precious silks with bespoke design touches from the likes of Loro Piana, Braquenié, Pierre Frey and Taillardat, and boast a dining area that can accommodate up to 12 guests as well as a spa-like steam room in the bathroom.
Dining provides yet another highlight. At Epicure, celebrated four-Michelin starred and Légion d’honneur-decorated Executive Chef Eric Frechon holds court at one of the world’s most celebrated restaurants. The menu is full of surprises and delights but his macaroni stuffed with black truffle, artichoke and duck foie gras, gratinée with aged Parmesan, remains a key signature and a dish that visitors travel to Paris to experience. Elsewhere, 114 Faubourg, also awarded a Michelin star, showcases an inventive menu of rich contemporary French cuisine, whilst Café Antonia is a more casual proposition, serving elegant refreshments throughout the day. You’ll feel right at home. www.oetkercollection.com
