Hotel Castille | wonderful 4* Parisian property

by guest columnist Jessica G. Ourisman

When my boyfriend and I moved to Paris, we were initially stranded — stranded at The Ritz, mind you, but stranded nonetheless. Although we had leased an apartment in advance of our arrival, both our rental agent and property manager were MIA. This meant that the two of us, our two miniature schnauzers, and more checked luggage than you should ever travel with, were left with nowhere to go.

France has a reputation for being generally dog-friendly, but this is not entirely accurate. The boutique hotels in the 7th arrondissement were unwilling to accept our pets. Luckily, my dad and stepmom were staying in a suite at The Ritz and they graciously loaned us the use of their room for the afternoon. However, while The Ritz is a spectacular place — a vision that Ernest Hemingway equated with heaven — to stay there indefinitely was beyond our means (and that's putting it nicely).

It ended up being an entire day and night before we could gain access to our apartment. In the meantime, my dad booked us a room at the Hotel Castille on rue Cambon. Situated directly behind The Ritz, which you enter off the Place Vendome, Castille's location proved ideal for the transfer of our luggage. Moreover, its location in the central 1st arrondissement is ideal for sightseeing, shopping, and dining. Walking distance from Coco Chanel's O.G. atelier, amble just a bit further to find The Joelle Ciocco Spa where you can get a world-class facial from Paris' cult-favorite, celebrity esthetician.

Hotel Castille was perfect for us. A charming 4-star hotel with a boutique feel, it provides all the necessary amenities. While staying at The Ritz provides an immersive experience into France's lavish cultural legacy, the stylish-but-contemporary decor at Hotel Castille imparts a less extravagant — but more livable — Italian-inspired feel.

We were thrilled. Our top floor room offered a view of the Parisian rooftops, while in-room dining made it possible for us to snack while still sleeping off our jet-lag. Guest services brought up a dog bed and bowls for our furry "children," and we were able to truly relax for what seemed like the first time in months.

The next morning, our apartment was finally ready for move-in. We enjoyed a buffet-style breakfast, including what tasted like drip coffee (versus espresso, which you will find almost everywhere else in Paris). Checkout was a pleasant surprise at a price that — unlike that of the Ritz — was also much more "livable." 

Although we didn't sample many of Hotel Castille's amenities — including a fitness room and a restaurant run by a Michelin-starred chef — the four of us (pups included) could not have been happier during our brief stay.

Note from David — We can offer Travel Leaders Select amenities at Hotel Castille.

• Complimentary Full American Buffet breakfast for two daily
• Early check-in and late check-out subject to availability 
• Upgrade upon arrival subject to availability
• $100 F&B voucher for the restaurant (not including minibar)

copyright (c) 2020 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Paris | right bank or left bank?

a left bank street (c) 2017 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

So you're going to Paris? You've heard about the left bank or the right bank and you're wondering, "Where should I stay?" Here are my thoughts:

Most of the luxury hotels in Paris are found on the right bank, the half of Paris north of the Seine. Some of the world's most famous and luxurious hotels are found in the right bank of Paris, including but not limited to the George V, the Plaza Athenee, Le Meurice, the Ritz, the recently re-opened de Crillon, the Shangri-La, Le Bristol, and the Peninsula.

The right bank's wide boulevards are lined with grand 19th century neo-classical buildings. Its hotel rooms tend to be much larger, and their guests can step out their front doors onto the best shopping streets of the world — the place Vendôme, the Champs Elysées and the Golden Triangle, and the Rue Saint Honoré.

The left bank is much older and charming, filled with narrow, winding streets lined with small shops. Because left bank hotels are found in centuries-old historic buildings redolent with charm, their guest rooms tend to be quite small and perhaps lack the most modern plumbing and electrical systems... but perhaps this is what you prefer?

Two hotels on the rive gauche stand out — Esprit Saint Germain is a member of Virtuoso, and though its guestrooms are barely larger than the bed, the hotel has a high percentage of returning guests who love the location, its residential ambiance, and the experience of hanging out in the hotel's living room — a ground floor common area with complimentary beverages and snacks. (Virtuoso guests receive complimentary round-trip private airport transfers with a three day stay). The other, Relais Christine, has just undergone an entire renovation, and the new room product is beautifully updated while retaining a sense of place that will remind you that you are in the heart of Paris. Ask me about their special summer offer that includes a daily buffet breakfast and a complimentary cruise on the Seine.

Right bank or left bank? Both answers are correct! It depends entirely on what you want — out-of-this-world luxury or iconic Parisian charm.

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Paris hotel site inspections

art deco entrance to the Plaza Athenee Paris, (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

It was only six weeks ago when I began my seven night stay in Paris. I have previously written about some of the great experiences we enjoyed — the Marmatton Monet Museum, Giverny, and a walking tour of the Street Art of the 13th and 20th arrondissements.

I also saw a lot of hotels, eleven in total. I've just posted reviews of those hotels on FlyerTalk, complete with a picture of each of the eleven properties. Here's the list of hotels that I visited:

Le Meurice
Le Bristol
Four Seasons George V
Ritz Paris
La Reserve
Plaza Athenee
Peninsula
St. James
Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
Relais Christine
d'Aubusson

Check out the FlyerTalk link for much more information, or feel free to contact me directly to talk about the luxury hotels of Paris. As a Virtuoso travel advisor, I can share with you my first-hand impressions and also provide value-added amenities that will save you hundreds of euros during your stay.

Paris is my favorite city in the world, and it has so many wonderful hotels. In my opinion, the first criterion is always location. As they say in real estate, the three most important things about any property are location, location, and location. Are you going to shop? Are you going to visit museums? Visit Notre Dame? Is your heart set on seeing the Eiffel Tower outside your window? Do you like Parisian glitz and style? What's your budget? Consider your answer to these questions, and I can help you find the perfect place for your dream vacation.

The picture at the top of this column is one of my favorites from Paris. It was taken outside the front door of the Plaza Athenee Paris. I was standing under the hotel's art deco entrance, aiming my camera up the front façade of the building. The "Plaza Red" awnings above each window helped create this memorable image.

copyright (c) 2016 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

want an excuse to go to Paris?

How many scenes in this video do you recognize? Watch this 5 minute hyperlapse video of scenes of Paris, and you'll definitely want to go back. It's no secret that Paris is my favorite city in the world, a place I've been over a dozen times.

Paris is home to some of the world's greatest museums, and I've barely scratched the surface of the Louvre. If you're a fan of French Impressionism, the Musee d'Orsay is a must — but don't forget the Jeu de Paume (which used to house the greatest collection), the Orangerie, the Marmottan, and the Petit Palais. Visit the Cluny, a great museum of the Middle Ages. Paris has museums to Picasso, Rodin, modern art (Pompidou), anthropology (Quai Branly), as well as a lesser-known gem set in a 19th century mansion (Jacqumart-André).

Want to dine in a different three star Michelin restaurant every night? Enjoy a simple meal at a bistro? Pig out on macaroons? Or sit at a sidewalk table outside a café for a few hours, watching the world stroll by? That's more than enough reason for your next visit.

Spend your nights in a legendary hotel with the incredibly valuable amenities that only a Virtuoso travel consultant can provide (starting with free breakfast for two every day of your stay at every hotel on the list... and guaranteed upgrades at some). Explore the link to discover all the perks you're passing up if you book yourself online. Here are some of my favorite Parisian hotels:

Four Seasons George V — in the Golden Triangle, Le George is at the top of many lists of the world's best hotels. 

Ritz Paris — the legendary hotel on the Place Vendôme that is just completing a total renovation that preserves the original character of the rooms but brings everything up to date. 

Le Meurice — enjoying the perfect location for walking around Paris. 

Le Bristol — set on the finest shopping street in Paris. 

Shangri-La Paris — the closest hotel to the Eiffel Tower with half of its rooms directly facing this iconic landmark. 

Peninsula Paris — a brant new hotel in a magnificently restored building that once hosted the Paris Peace Talks. 

De Crillon — right on the Place de la Concorde and about to reopen as a Rosewood after a total renovation.

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

when is a Ritz not a Ritz?

rotunda of the Ritz London

This column is inspired by yesterday's announcement that Four Seasons will cease management of the Ritz-Carlton Chicago effective July 31st. On that date, Ritz-Carlton Chicago will become a Ritz-Carlton. Did you know that there are currently five (5) Ritz properties that are not managed by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. They are:

Ritz Paris — one of my favorite hotels anywhere (I've stayed twice), the Ritz Paris has an enviable location right on the place Vendome. In the heart of Paris's 1st arrondissement, it's easy walking distance to anywhere in the center of Paris and is steps away from high-end shopping opportunities. The Ritz is in the midst of a quarter billion euro renovation. Expected to reopen by the end of 2015, I definitely want to visit when it reopens.

Ritz London — a very British hotel right on Piccadilly and on the northeast corner of Green Park (Buckingham Palace is on the opposite southwest corner, I enjoyed my 2009 stay at the Ritz. Come for the Afternoon Tea, and enjoy your stay in a very reasonably priced, traditional London hotel. Deluxe rooms and above, request a room on a high floor with lots of natural light, and for a real WOW, book a 1BR Deluxe Suites overlooking Green Park.

Ritz Lisbon — a Four Seasons hotel in the heart of Lisbon, Portugal, I enjoyed my stay here in 2009. A tip: it's relatively easy to score a room upgrade into a Deluxe room here. Just book through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner travel consultant for priority status on the upgrade list ... as well as enjoy a rich set of FSPP amenities. Email me for full details on FSPP amenities at over 90 FS hotels worldwide.

Ritz Madrid — the Ritz Madrid is owned by Belmond (formerly known as Orient Express), and it's located in central Madrid next door to the Prado Museum. The Ritz is an older, traditional elegant hotel with great service. While I had to wait in line for concierge service at the Westin Place across the circle, two concierges approached me as soon as I walked up the Concierge desk at the Ritz.

Ritz-Carlton Chicago — still a Four Seasons Hotel (until July 31st), I can provide you with Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities up until then ... and Ritz-Carlton STARS amenities afterwards (which include a complimentary daily breakfast for two, free internet, and more). I expect the hotel will remain a member of Virtuoso after the Ritz-Carlton take-over.


I can provide added-value amenities at each of the above hotels, including complimentary daily breakfast for two, upgrades if available, and extra amenities that differ by property. Contact me for full details!

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

what Parisians do in Paris

What do Parisians do in Paris? There are alternatives to standing in line at the Eiffel Tower, seeing a postage-stamp sized Mona Lisa in the middle of a large gallery with hundreds of tourists crowded in front of her, or having Starbucks coffee in the 6th arrondissement. Much better alternatives!

That's the idea behind this Google Map of 34 places in Paris that Parisians visit on their own. Only one of the 34 spots on this map (the Musée d'Orsay) is an attraction that would be on most tourists to-do lists. This map is a great for your next trip to Paris.

And when you're in Paris, I recommend you stay in one of the city's traditional "palace hotels" — the George V, Le Meurice, the Plaza Athenee, Le Bristol, the Ritz, and Hotel de Crillon (the last two hotels under renovation), or one of the new additions, the Mandarin Oriental, Royal Monceau, Shangri-La, and Park Hyatt Vendome. Need advice about where to stay? I've seen all nine, so please reach out to me. As a Virtuoso travel consultant, I can provide valuable amenities including complimentary daily breakfast for two at each of these hotels, upgrades, and additional perks.

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

guaranteed US Dollar rates in Europe

Upscale travelers look forward to staying in five star hotels with beautifully landscaped lawns, ornate lobbies, exquisitely furnished guestrooms, and incomparable service. They also expect to pay a small fortune to enjoy such luxury, especially with the sad state of the weak US Dollar.

So this offer is quite a value. Spend five nights at two or more of five Orient-Express hotels, and enjoy a flat rate of only $480 per night with daily buffet breakfast for two included. This rate is guaranteed in US Dollars (and is equivalent to about 322€).

1. Reid's Palace, Madeira (pictured above) is high on my wish list of places to stay. The island of Madeira is in the Atlantic Ocean, some 535 miles from Lisbon. It was discovered by Portuguese sailors in the early 15th century and, with a pleasant year-round climate, is a popular tourist destination for European travelers. Reid's Palace is a beautiful and gracious resort located on 10 acres of botanical gardens on a cliff top overlooking the waters of the Atlantic.

2. The Hotel Ritz, Madrid is one of the grand old hotels of Europe. It is located right across the street from the Prado Museum, one of the must-see attractions of Madrid. Convenient to museums, galleries, and shopping, and offering an elegant Afternoon Tea service, the Ritz is a storied and elegant hotel in the heart of Madrid.

3. Hôtel de la Cité, Carcassonne. Find yourself in a fairytale... reads the headline on the hotel's brochure. Carcassonne is an ancient walled village set in the wine country of Southwest France. Part of a medieval citadel, the Hôtel de la Cité has magnificent gardens on property and offers you the opportunity to make your home for a few days in this part of French history.

4. La Residencia, Mallorca is located on an idyllic island in the Mediterranean Sea. With hot summers and mild winters, La Residencia is a luxury hotel and spa on the northwest coast of the island, set in the midst of a grove of olive and citrus trees. The hotel was created from two 16th and 17th century manor houses and offers spectacular views of the sea.

5. Lapa Palace, Lisbon is set on a hilltop with beautiful gardens in the center of Lisbon, overlooking the river and the city itself. Originally built as a private residence, Lapa Palace offers an oasis in the midst of a busy city.

I would especially recommend this package to travelers planning to visit Spain + Portugal, or Portugal + Madeira this year. Conditions apply, but this is an incomparable value at several of the world's finest five star hotels.

five star hotels (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2008 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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