French Opulence...At Its Best

Kishore Iyengar checks out the fabulous Hotel Le Bristol, Paris

It’s one of the most famous icons of Paris. Just a few steps from the grand Champs Elysées gardens, the sprawling Place de la Concorde and the Avenue Montaigne, the Hotel Le Bristol Paris commands its presence on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

This five-star property is strategically positioned 35 minutes from the Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports and the Stock Exchange. As you step inside its very French classical opulence greets you with dignified grace. Priceless tapestries, period turn-of-the-century furniture and elements, oak and teak paneled interiors and a truly efficient staff ensure undivided attention.

Hotel Le Bristol Paris boasts of the largest gardens in Paris, spread over 35,000 square feet designed with French nuances. With a total of 175 rooms including 45 distinctly laid out suites of which there are four presidential suites, two terrace suites, diplomatic suites, traditional and junior suites. All rooms have air conditioning, computer outlets, 19 cable TV channels, in-room movies, internet on TV, minibar and electronic safes and the most expansive Carrara-marble bathrooms,-largest in all of Paris.

There is an alert and professionally competent concierge desk, secretarial amenities, the business centre offering among other modern facilities, courier, language translations, photocopying, Minitel and Reuters’ provided Stock Exchange information.Two outstanding restaurants, the Restaurant d’Éte or summer restaurant overlooking the grand gardens for relaxed sunny fiestas, and the two Michelin stars, oak-paneled Restaurant d’Hiver or the winter restaurant provide the ultimate fine dining experience under the expertise of Chef Eric Frechon’s gastronomic perfection.

An impressive wine collection of 31,000 bottles, and the English-style bar in the Marie Antoinette salon make sure the crème-de-la-crème of international personalities and clientele endorse their preference the year round. The fifth floor presidential suite enscones a mural of a Swedish castle, while the eighth floor panoramic suite offers stunning views of the Eiffel Tower and Sacré Coeur.

Terrace suites have large private terraces with suspended rooftop gardens ideal for entertaining privately and sunbathing. An innovatively designed heated indoor rooftop pool that resembles the front of a sailboat is another striking feature, and is located adjacent to the well-equipped fitness centre.

This outstanding hotel has carefully designed packages, for each type of clientele, like the ‘Week-End in Paris’ ( double room accommodation,American breakfast for two, Champagne and fruits), ‘Welcome to Paris’(airport transfers, American Breakfast for two, VIP welcome) and ‘Honeymoon in Paris’( with the same offer plus a surprise gift). Their accommodation rates in high season range from Euro500 for standard rooms to Euro800 for junior suites and Euro7,600 for the presidential suite. With consistently very high levels of hospitality excellence, the Hotel Le Bristol Paris is continuously ranked as one of the finest hotels in this ‘City of Romance’.