luxury hotels in Paris | my recommendations

He was planning a five-day visit to Paris in November and sent me a very brief email: any hotel recommendations? I usually recommend one of three luxury hotels in Paris.

In the 300€ range — InterContinental Paris Le Grand. The hotel is very well located, right next to the Paris Opera House, steps from the main store of the Galleries Lafayette, and right over a Metro station. It's one of the largest hotels in Paris. Napoleon wanted his capital to have a Grand Hotel, just like the other great European cities, and this hotel was built to fulfill that ambition. Lead-in rooms are a bit on the small side, but if you're looking for a good value on the Right Bank, Le Grand is a good choice. Virtuoso guests receive discounted rates, an automatic upgrade from the lead-in Classic Room to a Superior, and free access to the hotel's private Club Lounge where you can have a daily breakfast buffet for up to three guests and enjoy full "grazing rights" during the day - snacks, hors d'oeuvres, and cocktails in the evening (access normally costs 120€ daily).

In the 500€ range — Le Meurice. This is my personal favorite hotel in Paris. It has the perfect location right on the Jardin des Tuileries. You can walk straight across the park to the Musée d'Orsay, turn right and get to the Place de la Concorde, or turn left for a short walk to the Louvre and Notre Dame. One of the "palace hotels" of the city, Le Meurice has a very Parisian feel. Virtuoso guests enjoy discounted rates, a Full American breakfast daily (by room service, if you wish), and are upgraded if available.

In the 800€ range — Four Seasons George V. The George V is one of the great hotels of the world, totally renovated by Four Seasons and imbued with the warm service for which Four Seasons hotels are so well known. Possibly the most luxurious and elegant hotel in the city, everyone who enjoys luxury hotels should have the opportunity to experience Le George. Because I am with a Four Seasons Preferred Partner agency, my clients receive a full American breakfast daily (served through in-room dining, if you wish), a $100 spa credit, and will be upgraded if available upon check-in.

To get a quote for specific dates, as well as full list of amenities, just drop me an email.


luxury hotels 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.
.

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.
.