Housed in the oldest palace in France, Le Meurice has been part of the Paris landscape since 1835. Although it began as a hotel for upper-class British travelers, today, Le Meurice is one of Paris’ most lavish hotels. It has undergone five major renovations, most recently in 2016. Acclaimed French designer Philippe Starck kept the classic feel of the hotel, but modernized and accentuated it with whimsical yet subtle touches.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- All guests have access to John Lobb-trained butlers who provide complimentary shoe shines and programming for children and pets.
- When you need a break, head to Spa Valmont pour Le Meurice. The three-treatment-room spa may be small, but you’ll bask in its cool, modern aesthetic, hammams and cutting-edge services.
- You don’t want to miss a meal at the hotel’s amazing Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse. This gastronomic gem led by world-renowned French chef Alain Ducasse offers breakfast, lunch and dinner service in the most elegant of settings.
- In the first arrondissement, the hotel sits on the doorstep of the city’s best designer boutiques. As one of the most exclusive luxury shopping areas in Paris, Faubourg Saint-Honoré is home to famous names in fashion such as Chanel, Cartier, Hermès and Gucci.
Things to Know
- In keeping with the tastes of its varied guests, Le Meurice doesn’t simply stick to one type of room. Instead, rooms and suites range in decor and size.
- Aside from the hotel’s rich history and striking design, its location is a big draw. Directly facing the Tuileries Garden and situated between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, Le Meurice is walking distance to some of Paris’ most popular and historical attractions.
- An impressive roster of royalty (King of Spain Alphonse XIII, the king of Montenegro, the sultan of Zanzibar, the maharaja of Jaipur), presidents (French President Doumergue, Franklin Delano Roosevelt), accomplished artists (Giorgio de Chirico, Yehudi Menuhin, Beyoncé and Jay Z), designers (Coco Chanel) and writers (Walter Lippmann, Rudyard Kipling) have all stayed at Le Meurice.
- Check out the Starck-designed frozen mirror where you can draw on the frosty surface with your fingers.
The Rooms
- On the first floor are two presidential suites and a junior suite, all formally decorated in the 18th-century Louis XVI style with one-of-a-kind pieces. While the first-floor location of the covetable rooms may seem odd, it is a historic touch — the elite stayed on the ground level before elevators were introduced into hotels.
- The second and third floors are dedicated to those who prefer a less ornate room.
- On the fourth and fifth floors, the decor varies, from Empire-influenced in the Castiglione wing to floral, Louis XVI-style accommodations.
- The sixth-floor rooms are made to resemble Parisian apartments.On the seventh floor is the Belle Etoile Royal Suite, which is the most opulent in the hotel and features a terrace with a 360-degree view of Paris.
- All rooms are equipped with luxurious fabrics from Rubelli and Braquenié, marble bathrooms, and soundproofing.
The Restaurants
- Salon de la Paix in the Palace of Versailles inspired the dining room at Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse. It’s outfitted with 17th-century décor, a fresco ceiling and gilded crown molding.
- Named in honor of one of Le Meurice’s most famous loyal guests (Salvador Dalí spent at least one month per year there), Le Dalí is located in the heart of the hotel. Comfortable and inviting, the restaurant is bathed in warm colors such as gold, brass, orange and cream.
- The design showpiece of Le Dalí is the massive 1,560-square-foot gold and ochre mural created by Ara Stark (daughter of Philippe), which covers the ceiling.
- Outfitted in dark wood, rich leather, crystal decanters and a hand-painted ceiling fresco, Le Bar 228 is an inviting and posh place to kick back with a drink. Serving Dom Pérignon by the glass, innovative specialty cocktails and more than 50 kinds of whiskies and malts, the bartender will make you want to have every nightcap in this haunt.
- The latest addition to the Five-Star hotel's line-up of stellar dining establishments is the Pastry Boutique from celebrated pastry chef Cédric Grolet. Shop for simple pleasures (such as fresh-baked madeleines, chewy cookies and brioche Bundt cakes) alongside the visually stunning masterpieces (think trompe-l'oeil sculpted fruits) that made the talented toque famous.
Getting There
228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
TEL33-1-44-58-10-10
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