Le Bristol

Maybe it’s the new La Prairie spa or the €100 million facelift, but Le Bristol looks fabulous for almost 100 years old. Established in 1925 and a firm favourite of the rich and famous, the grand hotel is located on one of Paris’ most luxurious shopping streets, within strutting distance of the Champs-Élysées and Avenue Montaigne. It is one of 16 French hotels to have been awarded ‘Palace’ status.

Despite the elegant exterior of gleaming white marble, sparkling chandeliers and Louis XVI furniture, the vibe at Le Bristol is warm, relaxed and surprisingly perfect for families. It’s not uncommon to find Fa-Raon or Kléopatre, the resident fluffy, white Burmese cats, perched on the concierge’s desk. At the spa, staff will entertain the kids while you decompress in the eucalyptus steam room.

Detail is crucial to the design at Le Bristol. The fabrics and colour schemes of each room are different; florists have colour charts to make sure the hues match perfectly. Deluxe suites have his and her marble bathrooms, not just sinks. The top-floor Honeymoon Suite has a total of seven balconies. And although the style is firmly traditional, thoughtful modern adjustments have been made with the guest in mind. Plug sockets, for instance, have been relocated so guests don’t have to bend down.

Le Bristol Paris is a bastion of gastronomic excellence built on the true values of craftsmanship, with four Michelin stars awarded between the highly exclusive three stars restaurant Epicure and the one star brasserie de luxe, 114 Faubourg. True to form, the service at these top-tier restaurants does away with stuffiness and embraces good humour and charm.