Where To Stay In Paris During Haute Couture Week: 5 of the Most Luxe Hotels
Carrie Bradshaw’s favourite made the list…
From a château fit for a king to a favoured haunt of fashion royalty, these refined retreats are the crème de la crème of the Parisian hotel scene…
Airelles Château De Versailles
If you’ve ever dreamt of living like Marie Antoinette, Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle might be the perfect place to fulfil your fantasy. This newly restored hotel, which sits on the estate of the Palace of Versailles, was originally built by Louis XIV’s favourite architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart to accommodate visitors from across Europe. Chandeliers and gilt décor abound and within, many of the 14 rooms have magical views of the Orangery. The regal atmosphere extends to the underground Valmont spa, home to a spectacular pool surrounded by statues and frescoes, as well as to a superb restaurant overseen by the king of fine dining, Alain Ducasse. Guests can enjoy near-unrestricted access to the gardens throughout their stay, and private tours of the palace are available after dark.
Rooms from Dhs6,800 per night; Airelles.com
Cheval Blanc Paris
Fittingly, LVMH’s first urban hotel occupies what was once Paris’ most famous department store La Samaritaine, moments from the Louvre and Le Marais. My suite came with views over the Pont Neuf and all possible mod-cons, including its own hammam and a bathroom fridge for face-creams. There are four excellent dining options: we had a delicious meal of reimagined French classics at Le Tout Paris on the seventh floor, gazing over Notre-Dame; there’s also a Milanese seafood eatery, Langosteria; while Plénitude offers a contemporary take on haute cuisine. Be sure to take your smartest swimsuit when venturing down to the Dior spa for a dip in the 30-metre mosaic[1]adorned pool or braving the invigorating snow shower – the hotel is a magnet for models and superstars.
Rooms from Dhs4,600 per night; Chevalblanc.com
Plaza Athénée
Hôtel Plaza Athénée has long been a fashion favourite, and it’s easy to see why. Situated on Avenue Montaigne, just a few doors down from the Dior flagship, this Dorchester Collection hotel offers a masterclass in the art of luxury living: rooms come complete with Beltrami embroidered linens and Guerlain products, while the Dior spa is a haven of relaxation for honeymooners (book the Prestige facial, which will leave your skin glowing). For supper, visit Le Relais Plaza, an art deco Parisian brasserie once loved by Yves Saint Laurent.
Rooms from Dhs4,00 per night; Dorchestercollection.com
Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra
A former residence of Marcel Proust, Josephine Baker and Jules Verne, the Opéra district’s Sofitel Le Scribe has been a Parisian mainstay for more than 150 years; it was here that the Lumière brothers held the first showing of their cinematograph in 1895. The hotel’s newest bedrooms have been designed to echo traditional Haussmann apartments, with opulent textured wall panels, toile de Jouy headboards and a curated selection of art books. Downstairs, head to Le Bar de Scribe, a beloved bolthole of Marlene Dietrich, Ernest Hemingway and Lee Miller, for a drink, before dining on delicious Mediterranean fare at Rivages, including tuna carpaccio, fritto misto and fresh Riviera hake.
Rooms from Dhs1,395 per night; Sofitel-le-scribe-paris-opera.com
Hôtel Madame Rêve
Once a 19th-century post-office building, this historic hotel on the Rue du Louvre offers exceptional 360-degree city views from its verdant rooftop terrace, with the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Montmartre all in sight. After venturing out for a stroll around the Tuileries, relax in one of the 82 opulently decorated rooms (many with private balconies), watch the sun set in the picturesque sky garden and dine on the cuisine of your choice: classic Mediterranean at the ground-floor Madame Rêve Café, with its soaring ceilings and antique furniture, or exquisite Japanese in the penthouse restaurant La Plume. An embarras de choix indeed.
Rooms from Dhs2,000 per night; Madamereve.com
Photography: Alexandre Tabaste, Renée Kemps, Francis Amiand, Mark Read, Simon Nordh, Charly Bouvron, Jerome Galland
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Bride’s Summer 2022 issue.