Sep 25, 2021, 10:34 pm
Last edit by: RichardInSF
Given that the previous consolidated thread was started in 2008, it is time to start a new thread, beginning with an excellent review by KatW.
The previous thread may be found at https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/show...ferrerid=14479
The previous thread may be found at https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/show...ferrerid=14479
Paris Luxury Hotels (consolidated thread started 9/21)
Dec 31, 2021, 11:35 am
#76
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ATL
Posts: 103
That said, if I were to choose an alternative to FS, hands down I’d go with Le Bristol. It has a fantastic location on Faubourg, but removed from the chaos of the St. Honoré section and still close enough to walk over. Prior to my recent visit I had considered Le Bristol as they were offering extremely attractive rate packages, but I was VERY underwhelmed by photos of the hotel notwithstanding the consistently high praise it always seemed to receive. My opinion is completely changed after seeing it in person and enjoying a late afternoon snack in their lobby restaurant. The hotel exudes understated elegance and service was top notch even though we were not guests of the hotel. I can only assume the same can be said for actual guests. Recent photos of their renovated rooms also seem much nicer now in context of the overall vibe of the property. I do think Le Bristol earned its reputation for a reason.
As for the others, I really enjoyed the public spaces at Plaza Athenee and find it’s location on Avenue Montaigne to be delightful. Not sure what the timeline is with respect to their main restaurant, but it was still closed as of two weeks ago. Not sure where they’re currently serving breakfast, but would be disappointed to not be able to enjoy that beautiful venue. I’ve never been fond Le Meurice and particularly dislike it’s location across from the Louvre and Tuileries. Traffic in the general vicinity is horrific at all times of the day. I suppose this may not be a deterrent if you plan to walk to most places, but the December weather made that less of a reliable option for us. You do raise an interesting point regarding pricing. I find that all Dorchester Group properties are priced higher than their competitors with no rhyme or reason behind it. From what I can tell they do not offer significantly higher quality service or accommodations then their peers in most markets. In the US the Beverly Hills Hotel is routinely about $300-$500 higher per night than the Waldorf or Peninsula at any given time of year. I suppose whatever strategy is behind this is working for them, but personally I’m not sure I’d be willing to pay the premium.
Would you consider any of the new options, i.e., Bulgari or Cheval Blanc? I found both to be very attractive properties although somewhat lacking in terms of sense of place. Nevertheless, I quite enjoyed the design at Cheval Blanc, which also had excellent F&B, and could probably be tempted to give it a try. Didn’t love location, but perhaps in warmer weather this would be less of an issue. Bulgari felt very residential and too new to get a good feel for expected service, but rooms do look sleek and the location on George V is very convenient in my opinion. Good luck with your planning and think I might need to start planning for a return trip myself!
Dec 31, 2021, 11:45 am
#77
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,431
I’ve never been fond Le Meurice and particularly dislike it’s location across from the Louvre and Tuileries. Traffic in the general vicinity is horrific at all times of the day. I suppose this may not be a deterrent if you plan to walk to most places, but the December weather made that less of a reliable option for us.
Cheval Blanc appears to be too noisy, at least based on posts here.
Dec 31, 2021, 6:49 pm
#78
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
Although I’m obviously biased towards FSGV as evidenced above, I do realize it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, and if I recall correctly, you had a less than stellar experience when staying there.
That said, if I were to choose an alternative to FS, hands down I’d go with Le Bristol. It has a fantastic location on Faubourg, but removed from the chaos of the St. Honoré section and still close enough to walk over. Prior to my recent visit I had considered Le Bristol as they were offering extremely attractive rate packages, but I was VERY underwhelmed by photos of the hotel notwithstanding the consistently high praise it always seemed to receive. My opinion is completely changed after seeing it in person and enjoying a late afternoon snack in their lobby restaurant. The hotel exudes understated elegance and service was top notch even though we were not guests of the hotel. I can only assume the same can be said for actual guests. Recent photos of their renovated rooms also seem much nicer now in context of the overall vibe of the property. I do think Le Bristol earned its reputation for a reason.
As for the others, I really enjoyed the public spaces at Plaza Athenee and find it’s location on Avenue Montaigne to be delightful. Not sure what the timeline is with respect to their main restaurant, but it was still closed as of two weeks ago. Not sure where they’re currently serving breakfast, but would be disappointed to not be able to enjoy that beautiful venue. I’ve never been fond Le Meurice and particularly dislike it’s location across from the Louvre and Tuileries. Traffic in the general vicinity is horrific at all times of the day. I suppose this may not be a deterrent if you plan to walk to most places, but the December weather made that less of a reliable option for us. You do raise an interesting point regarding pricing. I find that all Dorchester Group properties are priced higher than their competitors with no rhyme or reason behind it. From what I can tell they do not offer significantly higher quality service or accommodations then their peers in most markets. In the US the Beverly Hills Hotel is routinely about $300-$500 higher per night than the Waldorf or Peninsula at any given time of year. I suppose whatever strategy is behind this is working for them, but personally I’m not sure I’d be willing to pay the premium.
Would you consider any of the new options, i.e., Bulgari or Cheval Blanc? I found both to be very attractive properties although somewhat lacking in terms of sense of place. Nevertheless, I quite enjoyed the design at Cheval Blanc, which also had excellent F&B, and could probably be tempted to give it a try. Didn’t love location, but perhaps in warmer weather this would be less of an issue. Bulgari felt very residential and too new to get a good feel for expected service, but rooms do look sleek and the location on George V is very convenient in my opinion. Good luck with your planning and think I might need to start planning for a return trip myself!
That said, if I were to choose an alternative to FS, hands down I’d go with Le Bristol. It has a fantastic location on Faubourg, but removed from the chaos of the St. Honoré section and still close enough to walk over. Prior to my recent visit I had considered Le Bristol as they were offering extremely attractive rate packages, but I was VERY underwhelmed by photos of the hotel notwithstanding the consistently high praise it always seemed to receive. My opinion is completely changed after seeing it in person and enjoying a late afternoon snack in their lobby restaurant. The hotel exudes understated elegance and service was top notch even though we were not guests of the hotel. I can only assume the same can be said for actual guests. Recent photos of their renovated rooms also seem much nicer now in context of the overall vibe of the property. I do think Le Bristol earned its reputation for a reason.
As for the others, I really enjoyed the public spaces at Plaza Athenee and find it’s location on Avenue Montaigne to be delightful. Not sure what the timeline is with respect to their main restaurant, but it was still closed as of two weeks ago. Not sure where they’re currently serving breakfast, but would be disappointed to not be able to enjoy that beautiful venue. I’ve never been fond Le Meurice and particularly dislike it’s location across from the Louvre and Tuileries. Traffic in the general vicinity is horrific at all times of the day. I suppose this may not be a deterrent if you plan to walk to most places, but the December weather made that less of a reliable option for us. You do raise an interesting point regarding pricing. I find that all Dorchester Group properties are priced higher than their competitors with no rhyme or reason behind it. From what I can tell they do not offer significantly higher quality service or accommodations then their peers in most markets. In the US the Beverly Hills Hotel is routinely about $300-$500 higher per night than the Waldorf or Peninsula at any given time of year. I suppose whatever strategy is behind this is working for them, but personally I’m not sure I’d be willing to pay the premium.
Would you consider any of the new options, i.e., Bulgari or Cheval Blanc? I found both to be very attractive properties although somewhat lacking in terms of sense of place. Nevertheless, I quite enjoyed the design at Cheval Blanc, which also had excellent F&B, and could probably be tempted to give it a try. Didn’t love location, but perhaps in warmer weather this would be less of an issue. Bulgari felt very residential and too new to get a good feel for expected service, but rooms do look sleek and the location on George V is very convenient in my opinion. Good luck with your planning and think I might need to start planning for a return trip myself!
Indeed I had a bad experience with GeorgeV but that was many years ago. So many things gone wrong during that stay but it could well be a one off. I understand the rooms / suites have been refurbished and now look much nicer?
Well noted your high praises for Le Bristol and indeed the photos of the rooms and suites on the website give me pause as they do look rather dull / sparingly decorated, looks very residential than palatial. Of the room type, I like Plaza Athenee the most but not sure if its worth the huge premium.
Will check out Cheval, Bulgari and La Reserve but their decor is very modern and this kind of decor, while nice, could be found in any city. I want that Parisian, classical look... I stayed at the Ritz few years back and it was wonderful, not sure if service there is holding up but I also want to try something new.
Last edited by BENLEE; Dec 31, 2021 at 6:55 pm
Dec 31, 2021, 10:39 pm
#79
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,298
Thank you for your very detailed reply which is much appreciated.
Indeed I had a bad experience with GeorgeV but that was many years ago. So many things gone wrong during that stay but it could well be a one off….
Well noted your high praises for Le Bristol and indeed the photos of the rooms and suites on the website give me pause as they do look rather dull / sparingly decorated, looks very residential than palatial. Of the room type, I like Plaza Athenee the most but not sure if its worth the huge premium.
Will check out Cheval, Bulgari and La Reserve but their decor is very modern and this kind of decor, while nice, could be found in any city. I want that Parisian, classical look... I stayed at the Ritz few years back and it was wonderful, not sure if service there is holding up but I also want to try something new.
Indeed I had a bad experience with GeorgeV but that was many years ago. So many things gone wrong during that stay but it could well be a one off….
Well noted your high praises for Le Bristol and indeed the photos of the rooms and suites on the website give me pause as they do look rather dull / sparingly decorated, looks very residential than palatial. Of the room type, I like Plaza Athenee the most but not sure if its worth the huge premium.
Will check out Cheval, Bulgari and La Reserve but their decor is very modern and this kind of decor, while nice, could be found in any city. I want that Parisian, classical look... I stayed at the Ritz few years back and it was wonderful, not sure if service there is holding up but I also want to try something new.
just ensure they don’t allocate a room that can feel the vibration ( maxi bar with rattling bottles) of the paris metro below..or rooms away from the metro line .
Jan 18, 2022, 6:54 pm
#80
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 8
Has the Ritz been taken off Virtuoso? Trying to book for June and it doesn't appear available there or on LHR-- plenty of availability on their own site though. Any other tips for booking?
Jan 18, 2022, 9:01 pm
#81
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 92
I am able to view rates on Virtuouso for March and mid-June.
Jan 18, 2022, 11:54 pm
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,517
I was offered a Virtuoso booking a few days ago. While I decided against Ritz the guaranteed upgrade is great value as well as the transfer if needed.
Feb 22, 2022, 5:42 pm
#83
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
A little more info on Cheval Blanc in Feb issue of Vanity Fair.
]LVMH’s luxury arsenal runs the gamut of interests, and a selection of the conglomerate’s 75 brands turns up at the new hotel. Guillaume Henry, artistic director of Patou, designed the staff uniforms in matte wool, cotton piqué, and poplin. Cheval Blanc’s Langosteria restaurant pours bottles of Dom Pérignon and Château d’Yquem, both Moët Hennessy labels, while vitrines in the lobby showcase Tiffany jewels. Inside the gloriously restored Samaritaine emporium, which opened to much fanfare last summer, the company has counted some 35,000 pouring into the panoply of LVMH stores each day. (Cheval Blanc’s VIP guests can access La Samaritaine through a private entrance and skip the lines.)
The ultimate brand synergy awaits in the Dior Spa, housed on the lower level, along with the longest indoor pool in Europe. Treatments include a “Couture Dream,” during which six hands simultaneously work their magic on one lucky client’s hair, face, hands, and feet, giving new meaning to Evita’s entreaty (via Andrew Lloyd Webber): “So Christian Dior me from my head to my toes.”
The article also mentions that rates begin at $1500 a night.
]LVMH’s luxury arsenal runs the gamut of interests, and a selection of the conglomerate’s 75 brands turns up at the new hotel. Guillaume Henry, artistic director of Patou, designed the staff uniforms in matte wool, cotton piqué, and poplin. Cheval Blanc’s Langosteria restaurant pours bottles of Dom Pérignon and Château d’Yquem, both Moët Hennessy labels, while vitrines in the lobby showcase Tiffany jewels. Inside the gloriously restored Samaritaine emporium, which opened to much fanfare last summer, the company has counted some 35,000 pouring into the panoply of LVMH stores each day. (Cheval Blanc’s VIP guests can access La Samaritaine through a private entrance and skip the lines.)
The ultimate brand synergy awaits in the Dior Spa, housed on the lower level, along with the longest indoor pool in Europe. Treatments include a “Couture Dream,” during which six hands simultaneously work their magic on one lucky client’s hair, face, hands, and feet, giving new meaning to Evita’s entreaty (via Andrew Lloyd Webber): “So Christian Dior me from my head to my toes.”
The article also mentions that rates begin at $1500 a night.
Feb 23, 2022, 4:22 am
#84
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,599
A little more info on Cheval Blanc in Feb issue of Vanity Fair.
]LVMH’s luxury arsenal runs the gamut of interests, and a selection of the conglomerate’s 75 brands turns up at the new hotel. Guillaume Henry, artistic director of Patou, designed the staff uniforms in matte wool, cotton piqué, and poplin. Cheval Blanc’s Langosteria restaurant pours bottles of Dom Pérignon and Château d’Yquem, both Moët Hennessy labels, while vitrines in the lobby showcase Tiffany jewels. Inside the gloriously restored Samaritaine emporium, which opened to much fanfare last summer, the company has counted some 35,000 pouring into the panoply of LVMH stores each day. (Cheval Blanc’s VIP guests can access La Samaritaine through a private entrance and skip the lines.)
The ultimate brand synergy awaits in the Dior Spa, housed on the lower level, along with the longest indoor pool in Europe. Treatments include a “Couture Dream,” during which six hands simultaneously work their magic on one lucky client’s hair, face, hands, and feet, giving new meaning to Evita’s entreaty (via Andrew Lloyd Webber): “So Christian Dior me from my head to my toes.”
The article also mentions that rates begin at $1500 a night.
]LVMH’s luxury arsenal runs the gamut of interests, and a selection of the conglomerate’s 75 brands turns up at the new hotel. Guillaume Henry, artistic director of Patou, designed the staff uniforms in matte wool, cotton piqué, and poplin. Cheval Blanc’s Langosteria restaurant pours bottles of Dom Pérignon and Château d’Yquem, both Moët Hennessy labels, while vitrines in the lobby showcase Tiffany jewels. Inside the gloriously restored Samaritaine emporium, which opened to much fanfare last summer, the company has counted some 35,000 pouring into the panoply of LVMH stores each day. (Cheval Blanc’s VIP guests can access La Samaritaine through a private entrance and skip the lines.)
The ultimate brand synergy awaits in the Dior Spa, housed on the lower level, along with the longest indoor pool in Europe. Treatments include a “Couture Dream,” during which six hands simultaneously work their magic on one lucky client’s hair, face, hands, and feet, giving new meaning to Evita’s entreaty (via Andrew Lloyd Webber): “So Christian Dior me from my head to my toes.”
The article also mentions that rates begin at $1500 a night.
Cheval Blanc does many things right obviously but am I the only one being a bit taken aback by the endless brand bombardment? Tiffany, Dior, Dom Pérignon -- it seems to never end..... can you actually wake up there without eating branded DIOR croissants? It sounds as though one is residing in a giant perfume sample collection. When staying somewhere, especially for leisure, this is exactly what I'm trying to get away from. I couldn't care less about their Dior Spa and their access to a department store selling more of their products... it's almost like you're caught in a bubble in which you cannot escape their constant advertisement. And once something is being advertised a certain way, it cheapens everything. The fact that their public areas look like a high-end fashion boutique doesn't exactly help either. In other "Maisons" this is less obvious, maybe just because of the location. I get it's Paris but they've done the obvious thing here. At Randheli, you can easily ignore the custom Hublot watches or the Dior boutique.
It's almost a bit like Vegas, where high rollers are hosted in villas with easy access to the casino. Maybe they should have added some rooms to their Vuitton stores and host their VIP clients there... but they're even smarter and make them pay for the privilege to spend...
From a business perspective this is highly interesting -- I get all these brands are in their group and so they must have amazing margins, because they can source everything from within at little cost or can easily lower profits on paper that way.
But I will definitely try to go stay and see what this is all about!
Last edited by scented; Feb 23, 2022 at 4:38 am
Feb 23, 2022, 5:31 am
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
A little more info on Cheval Blanc in Feb issue of Vanity Fair.
]LVMH’s luxury arsenal runs the gamut of interests, and a selection of the conglomerate’s 75 brands turns up at the new hotel. Guillaume Henry, artistic director of Patou, designed the staff uniforms in matte wool, cotton piqué, and poplin. Cheval Blanc’s Langosteria restaurant pours bottles of Dom Pérignon and Château d’Yquem, both Moët Hennessy labels, while vitrines in the lobby showcase Tiffany jewels. Inside the gloriously restored Samaritaine emporium, which opened to much fanfare last summer, the company has counted some 35,000 pouring into the panoply of LVMH stores each day. (Cheval Blanc’s VIP guests can access La Samaritaine through a private entrance and skip the lines.)
The ultimate brand synergy awaits in the Dior Spa, housed on the lower level, along with the longest indoor pool in Europe. Treatments include a “Couture Dream,” during which six hands simultaneously work their magic on one lucky client’s hair, face, hands, and feet, giving new meaning to Evita’s entreaty (via Andrew Lloyd Webber): “So Christian Dior me from my head to my toes.”
The article also mentions that rates begin at $1500 a night.
]LVMH’s luxury arsenal runs the gamut of interests, and a selection of the conglomerate’s 75 brands turns up at the new hotel. Guillaume Henry, artistic director of Patou, designed the staff uniforms in matte wool, cotton piqué, and poplin. Cheval Blanc’s Langosteria restaurant pours bottles of Dom Pérignon and Château d’Yquem, both Moët Hennessy labels, while vitrines in the lobby showcase Tiffany jewels. Inside the gloriously restored Samaritaine emporium, which opened to much fanfare last summer, the company has counted some 35,000 pouring into the panoply of LVMH stores each day. (Cheval Blanc’s VIP guests can access La Samaritaine through a private entrance and skip the lines.)
The ultimate brand synergy awaits in the Dior Spa, housed on the lower level, along with the longest indoor pool in Europe. Treatments include a “Couture Dream,” during which six hands simultaneously work their magic on one lucky client’s hair, face, hands, and feet, giving new meaning to Evita’s entreaty (via Andrew Lloyd Webber): “So Christian Dior me from my head to my toes.”
The article also mentions that rates begin at $1500 a night.
Feb 23, 2022, 5:03 pm
#87
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
If the idea of paying a five figure sum to deck yourself and your accessories out in mass market "luxury" brands is not appealing, then I suspect you're not the key target market of the Cheval Blanc. It's sounds like Disneyworld for people with Birkins.
Last edited by EuropeanPete; Feb 24, 2022 at 11:26 pm
Feb 23, 2022, 7:49 pm
#88
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
Birkins instead of Mickey Mouse Ears
Feb 24, 2022, 1:18 am
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,517
I booked FS in January and from this point rates for my dates in July went up around 400 € per night. It seems pricing is very dynamic and only the sky is the limit.
Feb 24, 2022, 1:46 am
#90
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,599
The suites are still priced pretty much the same.
FS dynamic pricing algorithms are extremely sensitive.