one of Time's 100 greatest places in the world

façade of Hôtel de Crillon (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

This week's issue of Time Magazine published its list of one hundred of "the world's greatest places" (Vol. 192, No. 9-10, pp 72-96). The first of the places listed? Hôtel de Crillon, the elegant palace hotel right on Place de la Concorde, right at the foot of the Champs Élysées. The largest square in Paris, its view encompasses the Arc du Triomphe to the west, the Louvre to the east, and the French National Assembly directly across the Seine to the south. The most convenient location in Paris, no less than three metro lines assure quick connections to most anyplace you might want to visit.

What about the Crillon? Time wrote the following:

Few hotels have a history as rich as Hôtel de Crillon, which was commissioned as a palace by King Louis XV and once hosted Marie Antoinette's piano lessons. Last July, the residence — now owned by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts — re-opened after a four-year renovation that brought modern amenities like central air-conditioning while preserving its iconic 18th century finishings, including gold ceilings, grand staircases and marble walls.

I had the privilege of staying at the Crillon last April. A truly stunning hotel, I spent two nights in a Grand Premier Suite whose living room is pictured below. Elegantly residential, it felt like an apartment, not a hotel room. I even had a peak at the Eiffel Tower through the windows. Consult your Virtuoso and Rosewood Elite travel advisor to make this booking — you'll receive complimentary breakfasts each morning of your stay, a $100 food and beverage credit, early 10 a.m. check-in, late 4 p.m. check-out, and a great chance of getting an upgraded room when you arrive.

copyright  (c)  2018 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 our website.

Paris by night

Paris is known as the City of Lights, and something special happens after dark when the sky grows dark and the monuments are lit. Paris by night is even more beautiful than Paris under the full light of the sun. This picture is taken from a room at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris, a 5 star luxury hotel right on the Place de la Concorde. You can see the obelisk of Luxor in the center of the square and the French National Assembly to the right, actually across the Seine on the Right Bank. Further to the right is the dome of the Invalides which houses the impressive tomb of Napoleon.

From the center of the Place de la Concorde, looking to the west, the shot below shows the Champs Elysees at night with the Arc de Triomphe in the distance. If you would like to explore these night-time scenes (as well as having a view of the Eiffel Tower which is lit at night and twinkles on the hour), you might consider staying at Hotel de Crillon. If you book through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant, you will receive a complimentary breakfast each morning, a room upgrade upon arrival if available, a special gift of Baccarat crystal, and a complimentary airport transfer with a four night booking. (For more information about Virtuoso exclusive negotiated rates and amenities, please contact me.)

Paris by night (search here on Google)





copyright (c) 2007 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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