luxury in Paris for $500 a night?

I regularly read a number of travel forums just to see the kinds of questions that travelers are asking. A poster recently asked for recommendations for a February stay in Paris. This is her Paris hotel wish list.

• well-located with access to the metro
  
• a genuine King bed
  
• a walk-in shower
  (not a hand-held shower thingy in the bathtub)
  
• $500 per night

Here are my top two suggestions for luxury in Paris for $500 a night:

Le Meurice has the perfect location in the heart of Paris. Step out the front door, cross the rue de Rivoli, and you're in the Jardin des Tuileries. Walk straight across the park, and you're at the Musee d'Orsay. Or turn left for a short walk to the Louvre. Or turn right for a short walk to the Place de la Concorde. You can easily reach the major attractions in the center of Paris by foot (or there's a Metro entrance right across the street to go anywhere in the city).

The smallest of the palace hotels of Paris, Le Meurice has a very Parisian feeling as well as its own, elegant three-star Michelin restaurant. For some great values, a Virtuoso travel consultant can get you 10% off the best available flexible rate, a full American Breakfast daily via room service or in the hotel's restaurant, and an upgrade if available. For a February booking, I can likely get you a confirmed upgrade at booking. Putting in a set of dates in February, 440€ can get you a Classic Queen room (about $550 per night) - and you're in a five-star hotel that deserves every one of those stars.

Need to spend less? Consider the InterContinental Paris Le Grand. This hotel was built because Napoleon wanted Paris to have a Grand hotel like the other European capitals, and Napoleonic red is found throughout the property (notably in the hallway carpeting). Virtuoso guests get the benefit of a 10% discount off the best available flexible rate and free Lounge access - where you'll get a complimentary daily breakfast, snacks, drinks, and cocktails throughout the day. For the same set of dates in February, 315€ ($398) gets you into a Superior room, 366€ ($463) into an Executive Room, and 391€ ($494) into a Deluxe Room with a view of the Paris Opera.


Note: these are the rates available July 9 for a three night stay, 2FEB-3NT. Rates are subject to change until booked.

luxury in Paris (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
.