I stayed at the fanciest hotel in Paris – here’s what it's like (original) (raw)

Hotels don’t come steeped in much more history than Le Meurice. A ‘palace hotel’ – which essentially places it one above a five-star ranking – the 160-room hotel moved to its grand Rue de Rivoli site in 1835. As much a landmark as the nearby Tuileries and Louvre, it’s long been an old-school celebrity hotspot, with Salvador Dali, Liz Taylor and all manner of global monarchs counting themselves as fans. And you can see why it’s so loved – despite recent tweaks by noted French designer Philippe Starck, the hotel remains traditional in the most spectacular way.

Rooms are quietly ornate, decked out with Louis XIV-style furniture and with classy, ivory walls. Meanwhile, the main dining room is as regal as anything at the Chateau de Versailles, dripping with crystal chandeliers and graced with glorious frescos, a multitude of marble and double Michelin star menu overseen by Alain Ducasse. However, such luxury comes with an appropriately intimidating price tag. Rooms and suites start at well over £1,000, with the rooftop suite coming in at a pretty punchy £25,000 a night.

Neighbourhood

Bang in the middle of the 1st arrondissement, Le Meurice is opposite the Tuileries Garden and sandwiched between Place de la Concorde and the Musée du Louvre. If you hate walking and are extremely wealthy, this is undoubtedly the spot for you.

Nearby

  1. Musée du Louvre: For peering at some of the most famous art in the world, feat. da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
  2. Harry’s New York Bar: For the best classic cocktails in Paris since 1911, and the birthplace of the Bloody Mary and French 75.
  3. Maison Gainsbourg: A short stroll across the Seine will take you to the former home of Serge Gainsbourg and an accompanying museum, café and piano bar dedicated to the storied singer’s life.

Time Out tip

Ask staff to show you the room where Pablo Picasso married ballerina Olga Khokhlova in 1918, a grand parlour which is now reserved for private events.