What’s It Really Like To Stay At The Ritz Paris?

37 mins ago

A majestic hotel worthy of the hype

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Luke Abrahams is dazzled by one of Paris’s most famous hotels, the Ritz

Review: Ritz Paris

STAY

There are hotels, and there is The Ritz. The truth is this palatial address goes way beyond the simple definition of a hotel. This monument – grand, storied, historical and infinitely prosaic – is a swell schooling in everything a grand dame should be: perfection absolute. Its story began in 1898 when Swiss hotelier César Ritz scored a collaboration with French chef Auguste Escoffier. Their great minds fused and later birthed one of the most famous and luxurious hotels in the world favoured by celebrities, royals and fashion’s elite from Coco Chanel (who lived in the hotel for 34 years) to Vogue Editor Anna Wintour.

But even grand dames need a makeover, and come 2012, the entire place closed its doors to make way for a spenny facelift to bring its tired laurels firmly back into the 21st century. Think the usual modcons featuring a top-notch spa, a fresh colour palette (regency empire but less gaudy) and every millennial’s dream: tech.

Don’t worry, all the hardcore gilded nick nacks and fantabulous chandeliers survived, along with all the velvet drapery, parlours, period furniture and gilded mirrors your fantasy obsessed mind can conjure up. While it’s a term that’s hideously overused, timeless charm still rules the Ritz aesthetic. Beauty & The Beast Disney-esque palace sums it up well, and as a result brings in all sorts of crowds, from starry-eyed tourists who come to gorge on cake for afternoon tea service to proper hotel junkies who just want nothing more than to say they’ve stayed in Paris’s most revered address. A relic it may be to some, but it’s one that’s packed with so much Parisian soul, chic and grandeur it evades falling into the soulless traps of its other might neighbours.

The 142 rooms and suites at the Ritz Paris are just as suave. Style wise, it’s a blend of classic baroque meets a dash of Belle Époque, tied together with the odd floral motif and a lashing of Empire-style furniture and an endless lashing of rugs. Gloriously unique, colour palettes come in a medley of dusty pinks, creams and blues, all accented by beautifully rich Louis XV furnishings, rich brocades, luscious fabrics and signature curlicues from tulip-shaped lampshades and key-shaped light switches.

It’s the attention to detail however that truly boggles the mind. To my disappointment, I could not find one scuff, blemish or crack in my palace, and instead was confronted by meticulously exquisite walls brandishing razor-sharp perfect brush strokes and gold gild fixtures straight from the leaf. Bathrooms? Visions of marble with sinks crowned by the legendary jewelled golden swan taps and mammoth showers. The peach towels and bathrobes, a signature hallmark of César Ritz, still adorn the racks, alongside fluffy slippers come bedtime.

Deep pocketed guests swerve more towards the Prestige Suites, the grandest of all headlined by Suite Impériale. Regal guests, including the late Diana, Princess of Wales, have stayed here, and some of Vogue’s most iconic fashion shoots have been snapped under its Vendomé view facing canopy. It’s a suite on another level, and for 50,000 euros per night, that’s just expected.

EAT

In terms of sustenance, you are well and truly sorted. While Michelin grub is up for grabs in the Ritz’s fine dining restaurant, ditch the starry-eyed for the more casual Bar Vendôme to get a feel for how your regular Parisians choose to splurge.

Dinner is a mix of haute brasserie and caviar deluxe. In true French style, precision is everything and each dish served is as detailed and considered as it is richly delicious. Sadly, I was sick come my visit so I could only munch down some chicken lathered in a copious amount of jus. Regardless, it was lush, as was the room it was served in. Wash it all down in Bar Hemingway for cocktails until the early hours. As for breakfast, it is equally as lavish. Enjoy it in bed or downstairs in the opulence of the hotel’s breakfast room. Devouring the pastries is non-negotiable. Devoured best with the lusciousness that is full fat milk latte á la Francais.

DO

If you are not a foodie and oxygen is your preferred calorie of choice, head for The Ritz Health Club and Spa. The underground sanctuary is a little touch of R&R heaven where guests plop around in their robes to the spa. The pool is stunning and worth a few laps, as are the sauna and steam bath.

The Ritz is also tethered to its world-famous home, Place Vendôme. Haute jewellery houses surround you on every corner, so it’s best to have your other half’s credit card handy should you fancy a splurge. Many of the city’s blockbuster attractions are quite literally around the corner, but perhaps the biggest perk of staying here is that the beauty that is the Tuleries Gardens is virtually on your doorstep. Perfect for early morning strolls.

THE FINAL WORD

The Ritz Paris is an icon, and one so legendary that a stay here is a statement more than anything else. Everything, and I mean quite literally everything – from the staff to the food to the brocades – is top notch, and in this soulless corporate day and age, is something exquisitely rare and invigorating. Yes, this historic beauty has character, and one that serves every shade of iconic imaginable. Top marks.