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| St. James Paris, boutique hotel in the 16th arr (c) 2016 by David Ourisman |
A city of superlatives, Paris has something for every visitor — whether you're a traveler who desires the highest standards of luxury or whether you'd be happy with a simple pied-à-terre as a base for your explorations of all that the City of Light has to offer. We have experienced so much on this trip, I wanted to express my recommendations and sincere thanks.
getting around Paris
Passe Navigo Découverte. Paris has the most fabulous metro system, and you can go everywhere for just 21.25€ for a week (Monday - Sunday) with a Passe Navigo Découverte. A great value in efficient, reliable public transportation.
Citymapper. So incredibly useful for finding your way anywhere in the city with directions for walking or taking the metro. Totally free except for any cell phone data charges.
thank you to our gracious hosts
Le Meurice hosted our first two nights in Paris. The smallest of the palace hotels of Paris, Le Meurice is ideally situated right on the Tuileries for walking anywhere in the heart of Paris. Our Premier Suite had a panoramic view from the Louvre (to the left), the d'Orsay (straight ahead), and the Eiffel Tower and Grand Palais (to the right).
Le Bristol hosted our middle two nights. Located just off the Champs Elysees and in the midst of many high-end fashion shopping opportunities, we enjoyed the warm service, great food, and the two house cats!
Four Seasons George V was home for our final three evenings. In the Golden Triangle, Le George offers classic French décor with the luxury predictability you would expect from Four Seasons... and wait until you see the new Suite product that I previewed.
a couple of incredible meals
Plaza Athenee reopened two years ago after a renovation and expansion, and this art deco classic on avenue Montaigne is back better than ever. I enjoyed lunch at Le Relais with George-Alexis, Sales Manager ... and if you're a chocoholic, you must order the Chocolate-Caramel Finger for dessert.
Peninsula Paris is a stunningly elegant, contemporary hotel — simple gorgeous rooms — and we were lucky enough to enjoy dinner at its rooftop restaurant, L'Oiseau Blanc. Not only did our view include the Eiffel Tower and Sacre Coeur all lit up for us, but the three course dinner was delicious in every way.
New Discoveries award
I always look forward to discovering new treasures, I can recommend two properties I'd never before visited. La Reserve is a small hotel right around the corner from Le Bristol, and if you prefer to stay somewhere small and hidden away, you'll love this boutique property. St. James Paris (pictured above) is the city's only chateau hotel, a boutique, 49 room treasure in a 16th arrondissement mansion near the Bois du Boulogne. Rooms are decorated in a quirky yet elegant style.
Guided tours
Thanks to Antoinette Azzurro for her walking tour highlighting the Occupation and Liberation of Paris during World War II ... and thanks to W Travel France for organizing a tour of the street art of the 13th and 20th arrondissements. Great tours introduce you to a city in a way you couldn't experience on your own.
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