Ah, Paris, disputably one of the most sophisticated cities on the planet, oozing with high-end fashion and tourists and locals that like to live life to its most luxurious. The city that has it all: a stupendous lavish offering and countless amounts of culture and heritage. Now, with an abundance of new luxury hotel openings, it is more popular than ever.
Why Should I Visit?
Paris is special – It’s one of the most romantic places on Earth and it’s just a short train or plane journey away – and with so many new openings, there’s something for even the most demanding of luxury travelers.
Tell Me What’s New?
Whether it’s your first or 50th visit to the city of light, there is always something new to fall in love with.
On the hotel front, there are heaps of newbies to rave about. Following in the footsteps of the newly refurbished Ritz Paris, which reopened in 2016 following a £160 million transformation, numerous brands are now relaunching themselves.
The Ritz Paris
Marriott’s Luxury Collection brand opened the Hotel De Berri just off the Champs-Elysees, in May 2018, whilst the Bvlgari Hotel brand has revealed its plans to open a 76-room hotel located in the high-end area of Avenue George V in 2020, just a short walk from the ever-popular Four Seasons Hotel George V.
The Hotel De Berri
Elsewhere there are also plenty of new attractions to try out during your visit. The Teatre La Scala, a French music hall which first opened in 1874, should be top of your to-do list – the quintessentially Parisian attraction reopened in March of 2018 following an extensive renovation.
Where Should I stay?
Take inspiration from one of the classiest ladies of them all and stay at Ritz Paris which was a favourite of designer Coco Chanel for more than 30 years. During a refurbishment, the hotel even decided to create a suite dedicated to her. The Coco Chanel Suite starts at €18,000 a night.
The Coco Chanel Suite
Designed by Chanel’s very own Karl Lagerfeld, you’ll feel like an utter superstar by booking in at one of two Les Grands Apartments at Rosewood’s Hotel de Crillon. Elsewhere, another treasure suited to those with a big budget is the Katara Suite at The Peninsula Paris which brags a large roof terrace and private garden (from €22,509).
If you’re looking for a room with a view then you’ll want to book in at La Suite Shangri-La at Shangri‐La Paris which has a 100sq m terrace looking out to the famous Eiffel Tower (from €15,000).
The Shangri‐La Paris
Maybe you would prefer to stay at a private home? Try onefinestay or Luxury Retreats, both of which have stunning properties dotted through central Paris. Airbnb-owned Luxury Retreats has plenty of beautiful options with many featuring spectacular Eiffel Tower views, starting at around $2,000 a night.
What Is There to Do?
It would be rather ridiculous to visit Paris and not take a trip up the Eiffel Tower; even repeat guests squeal will find joy from its glorious views at the top.
However, there’s much more to see than this wrought-iron icon. If you love a good view them I recommend climbing to the top of the Arc de Triomphe – in particular as the sun is setting. As well as a picturesque evening view of the city, you’ll also be able to take the most beautiful pictures of the Eiffel Tower as it twinkles after dark on the hour, every hour.
Head over to the Sacre Coeur for more iconic views where you’ll find the church perched proudly on the summit of the highest point in Paris.
Whilst you’re in the Sacre Coeur area, pay a visit to the creative district of Montmartre – but be warned as it can get particularly busy with tourists.
If you’re like me, and museums are your thing, then you’ll be in cultural heaven when exploring this city.
I highly recommend a long stroll from Place de la Concorde, through the super scenic Tuileries Gardens to the Louvre, where you’ll find the famous Mona Lisa. The walk alone is worth it and definitely recommended for those that love to Instagram a picture or two!
Once you’ve exhausted the myriad of museums and galleries, take a wander through the magnificent Jardins du Luxembourg.
Where Should I Eat?
The French are into their food and Paris definitely has no shortage of amazing restaurants. A favourite among the many is the trendy Georges at the top of the Pompidou Centre. Le Jules Verne, owned by the Alain Ducasse group, features an unrivaled view, set as it is 122 metres up the Eiffel Tower.
Inside the stunning Le Jules Verne
For a slightly less glam but equally delicious choice, try the cosy restaurant Sacre Fleur. Located just a few minutes from the Sacre Coeur, this little restaurant serves up the best steaks and is so popular it has to be booked weeks in advance.
What Else?
For those that have a limited amount of time, I recommend a visit to the vast and extravagant beauty that is the Palace of Versailles, 12 miles from the centre of the city. Those with the plenty of time can continue the luxury by doing as the locals do and travelling south to the Provence region of France, where the rosé is utterly perfect and glorious sunshine is almost guaranteed.
KeiKei is a London-based award-winning journalist and videographer with a degree in Broadcast Media and Journalism from the University of the West of Scotland and an extensive reporting background in news, entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
KeiKei has travelled the globe interviewing, reporting and reviewing. Her work has been published in worldwide media outlets including, The New York Post, The Guardian, The Mirror, The Daily Mail, National Geographic and Conde Nast publications.
