News from palatial hotels

Excellent restaurants, royal suites, dreamy spas, star-rated chefs, amazing wine-cellars, exquisite decors… The most sublime hotels in Paris pursue their goals for luxury to extremes, for an art of living which is truly "Palatial" !



To celebrate the re-opening of its rooms and spa, Le Péninsula Paris has come up with irresistible offers to spoil its guests. A shower of privileges awaits you : upgrading, free treatments in the spa, free parking, late departures, an office available throughout the day... www.peninsula.com

Born in Mantova, a town in northern Italy, Chef Nicolas Canuti, both gourmet and generous, has always been inspired by Sunday lunches featuring all the richness of transalpine recipes concocted by his mother and grandmother. After training under Alain Ducasse, Roger Vergé and Marco Pierre White, then teaching at the prestigious Institut Paul Bocuse in Ecully, he has now joined Le Byblos to create dishes on the menus of the various restaurants at the palatial hotel and its beach. Look forward to sunshine and blue skies ! Hôtel Byblos, 20 avenue Paul Signac, Saint-Tropez. www.byblos.com

In order to relish dishes or menus whenever you wish, signed by 2-star chef Jérôme Banctel, La Réserve Paris proposes dishes that change each week on its exclusive “La Réserve at Home” menu. Based on ingredients always carefully selected, it plays the ace of diversity and wonderful flavours. Orders to be placed 24 hours in advance, with delivery possible in Paris intra-muros. La Réserve Paris, 42 avenue Gabriel, Paris 8 (01 58 36 60 50).

In these unprecedented times, the Bristol’s revolving doors continue to spin to welcome all those who need to spend time in Paris under appropriate conditions. Supervised by 3-star Chef and MOF Éric Frechon and world-champion pastry chef Julien Alvarez, its room service guarantees a shielded art of living for an exceptional stay. Le Bristol, 112, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8 (01 53 43 43 00).

They have been relished throughout the summer, and the good news is that they are still there ! Irresistible gourmet treats created by pastry chef François Perret, presented at the charming little pastry counter at the Ritz Paris. Until the end of October, they are well worth the detour. Head for Place Vendôme to enjoy a slice of marble cake, the bewitching Taco with honey or the famous S’More (choux pastry with marshmallow). Plus exclusive, ephemeral creations on weekends. Treats for the tastebuds ! Le petit comptoir à pâtisseries du Ritz, 15 place Vendôme, Paris 1.

Until the beginning of spring, the Bar 8 terrace offers a highly original list of cocktails in partnership with Glenfiddich spirits, in a setting recalling an enchanted forest with birch and fir trees, and a stag, the historic emblem of the famous whisky distillery. Mandarin Oriental, 251 rue Saint-Ho­noré, Paris 1 (01 70 98 78 88).

The skating-rink of 100 m2 at the Plaza Athénée is intended for children aged 3 to 12. While they have fun in all safety with a qualified instructor, their parents can sample winter creations by pastry-chef Angelo Musa in a new tea-time formula proposed at 60 € per person. Plaza Athénée, 25 avenue Montaigne, Paris 8 (01 52 67 66 65).

For the 7th year running, Le Chalet at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme has taken up its winter quarters on the hotel's terrace. Until February 15th, guests who enjoy lunch, tea, dinner, a delicious "raclette", are immersed in a mountain atmosphere designed by artist Anne Bouvier. The theme ? On the gold-diggers' trail... Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. 5, rue de la Paix. Paris 2e. (01 58 71 10 60)

As part of its complete repositioning of its dining facilities for 2020, a year marking its 90th anniversary, the Hôtel Prince de Galles has unveiled its new restaurant, unique in Europe, signed Akira Back. A past-master in the art of interpreting Asian cuisine, this star-rated Chef born in South Korea runs about 15 restaurants worldwide (Singapore, Toronto, Seoul...). In Paris, he proposes an ambitious concept in fully redesigned decor. His dishes convey his experiences all over the world in fusion food bearing the stamp of orientalism. Hôtel Prince de Galles, 33 avenue George V, Paris 8 (01 53 23 77 77).

At an altitude of 140 metres, on the 34th floor of the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile, the Windo Skybar pays tribute to the City of Light in its new menu revolving around cocktails with original interpretations of the capital’s iconic addresses. These new offerings include the audacious “Jardin Suspendu” whose fragrances of bergamot and lemon recall conservatories in the Jardin d’Acclimatation. Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile, 3 place du Général Koenig, Paris 17 (01 40 68 12 34).

For its 90th anniversary, Le Prince de Galles presents this new suite entrusted to designer Patrick Hellman, in association with Lalique, France’s most famous producer of crystal ware. Between Art Deco and a sleek contemporary style, the hotel’s largest suite (180 m2 + terrace 100 m2) on the 8th floor offers an unprecedented experience combining the quest for excellence with respect for tradition. From 16.000 €/night. Prince de Galles, 33 avenue George V, Paris 8 (01 53 23 77 77).

“Brach is a highly original address inviting you to explore and travel.” Designer Philippe Starck’s description of his new accomplishment in Paris : a 5-star hotel that has elected domicile in a vast postal sorting centre of 7,000 m2, built in the 1970’s in the 16th arrondissement. Guests discover nature, innovation, culture and poetry via fashionable features such as an urban vegetable garden with a hen-house on the roof... with views of the Eiffel Tower ! Brach, 1 - 7 rue Jean Richepin, Paris 16 (01 44 30 10 00).

In 2020, this luxurious hideaway at the tip of Cap d’Antibes, facing the Mediterranean and the Lérins Islands, will celebrate its 150th anniversary. With this event on the horizon, the hotel has just announced the arrival of 3-star Chef Éric Frechon (Le Bristol Paris) as Consultant Chef. The aim being to further enhance its cuisine alongside Executive Chef Arnaud Poette. Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, 165-167 boulevard J.F. Kennedy, Antibes (04 93 61 39 01).

The Pastry Chef at the Alain Ducasse restaurant in the Plaza Athénée has just won this accolade awarded by the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants”. In the wake of Pierre Hermé, Dominique Ansel and Cédric Grolet last year, 33 year-old Jessica Préalpato from Les Landes now bears aloft the colours of France and Paris. Pursuing the trend for naturalness, she likes to work with seasonal fruit while respecting authentic tastes and the environment. Hôtel Plaza Athénée, 25 avenue Montaigne, Paris 8 (01 53 67 66 65).

Beautifully shady, the new gardens at the 5-star Hôtel Alfred Sommier offer a real haven of peacefuless at the heart of the 8th arrondissement. This discreet hotel occupying a mansion owned by an upper middle-class Parisian family still belongs to the descendants of Alfred Sommier, a great French industrialist in the 18th century. Hôtel Alfred Sommier, 20 rue de l’Arcade, Paris 8 (01 88 22 33 44).

Facing the Garnier Opera House, a short walk to the Louvre and Comédie Française, surrounded by the gardens of the Palais Royal and those of the Tuileries, the Hôtel du Louvre (164 rooms, 57 suites) has reopened its doors following two years of renovation. More evident than ever, its Second Empire style blends elegantly with touches of modernity. Its Brasserie managed by Maison Bocuse will undoubtedly become a must address in the 1st arrondissement. Hôtel du Louvre, place André Malraux, Paris 1 (01 73 11 12 34).

Dedicated to fans of art and prestigious champagnes, this fabulous suite is further enhanced by Maison Ruinart. An experience pairing art and excellence which is pursued in the restaurant “L’Odyssée” decorated by Karl Lagerfeld, where guests discover the star-rated “gastrobotanic” cuisine of Spanish chef Rodrigo de la Calle. Until August 31st. Hôtel Metropole, 4 avenue de la Madone, Monaco (00 377 93 15 15 15).

In collaboration with Maison Ruinart, the Royal Monceau is playing host to Matsuhisa Niwa until the end of July, a Japanese restaurant seating eight guests at the heart of an Asiatic garden. On Thursdays and Fridays, Chef Hideki Endo offers Epicurians discreet dinners based on contemporary Nippon cuisine, with a 7-course discovery menu. 345 €. Le Royal Monceau, 37 avenue Hoche, Paris 8 (01 42 99 98 70).

A great fan of cars, Chef Simone Zanoni is at the helm in the kitchens of Le George, the restaurant at the Four Seasons George V Paris. During the “Taste of Paris Festival” last May, he dreamt up a totally original interpretion of the legendary Porsche 911 model in a black chocolate version with lime and passionfruit. A treat naturally delivered in a limited edition of 911. Four Seasons George V, 31 avenue George V, Paris 8 (01 49 52 70 00).

The palatial Park Hyatt Vendôme has entrusted the keys to its bar with a refined but relaxing ambiance to globe-trotter Jean Munos. Through unique creations, including his “twisted classics” inspired by the culinary world, the star Head Barman takes the most demanding in terms of mixology on a sensory voyage every day from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, 5 rue de la Paix, Paris 2 (01 58 71 12 34).