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Hotels, Paris

A Stay at Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe

September 27, 2016 by cheriecity

Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe was top of my list for my recent trip to Paris with my mum. We fell in love with the Sofitel brand following our stay at the ultra-chic Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg and after all, our mamans deserve nothing but the best!

While Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg is all about fashion and rose-scented decadence, Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe is a sleek and minimalist affair.

Location

The sophisticated five star hotel is located in an elegant Haussmann-style building on the corner of upscale rue Beaujon just a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées. It’s also within walking distance of the Seine, the Tuileries Garden and the art instutions of the 8th arrondissement – Palais de Tokyo, Paris Museum of Modern Art and the Palais Galliera.

Arrival

The open-plan lobby is buzzing yet calm with a stylish all-day bar that offers light bites and exquisite pastries during the day and inventive cocktails at night. On the other side of the lobby is a relaxed guest lounge designed in electric blue with comfy sofas.

The Room

Check-in was warm and friendly and we were personally shown to our Luxury Room on the fifth floor. Designed by Studio Putman, our room was so zen and tranquil with a simple, cool palette of white, soft grey and beige. The minimalist style was complemented by high end touches such as a tactile suede headboard, plush carpet and a high tech mood lighting system (which admittedly took me a little while to master).

A perk of staying at Sofitel is the signature MyBed, and it was just as cosy and heavenly and I remembered with crisp linen and fabulous pillows – like floating on a cloud.

Other room features included a Nespresso coffee machine and separate kettle with Dammann Frères teas and complimentary bottles of Evian. There was also handily-placed room service menu for the hotel’s restaurant Les Cocottes Arc de Triomphe by Michelin starred chef Christian Constant. The restaurant has a unique ‘kitchen to table’ concept with rustic, comforting dishes served in little cast iron pots and the design is contemporary yet nostalgic.

It’s hard not to be tempted by its offering of an authentic French onion soup, rotisserie roasted chicken or a trio of gourmet Croque Monsieurs. I actually wish we’d dined there that evening, as our meal at a terrace cafe was very average and clouded in Friday night smoke. However, our lunch at Le Frank at the nearby Fondation Louis Vuitton was truly memorable, so it was still a successful foodie day.

The Bathroom

One of Andrée Putman’s design philosophies is that the bathroom is the most important room in a home or hotel room, so of course our bathroom was quite the destination. It could be accessed by two sliding doors on each side (Carrie Bradshaw would approve) and designed in glossy white with tiny blue and grey mosaic tiles.

It features a walk-in shower, a pristine Corian sink, silver stool, magnifying mirror, thick towels, a full set of Hermès Eau d’Orange Verte bathroom products and best of all, a snuggly Sofitel bathrobe and branded slippers.

A Welcome Treat

Just before the evening turndown, we were very kindly welcomed with a sweet gift of macarons, apricot pâte de fruit and fresh apricots. Another lovely surprise was a stunning 14 rue Beaujon candle each, designed exclusively for the hotel by perfumer Rami Mekdachi – the nose behind scents for Chloé, Roger Vivier, Costes, Colette and some of the best hotels in the world. These candles can be bought in the lobby, as well as cute Paris-themed handbags by designer Barbara Rihl, as a luxurious souvenir of your stay.

Breakfast

In the morning, we had the chance to discover Les Cocottes Arc de Triomphe over a sumptuous breakfast. After we were shown to our table by the lovely morning staff, a shot of healthy fruit juice and a basket of flaky pastries swiftly arrived with our hot drinks.

Sofitel hotels are known for their superior breakfasts and this one was a real delight, so be sure to leave plenty of time to really indulge. There is a generous selection of hot dishes, fresh baguette, yoghurt, crêpes, cake, mini financiers and brownies and an impressive choice of gluten-free baked items.

Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe is a smart yet relaxed place to stay where you will feel really looked after. It’s a particularly good choice for first-time visitors to Paris who will benefit from its central location close to famous landmarks and an international approach to service.

For more information and booking, visit: www.sofitel.com

Chérie City was a guest of Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe

Photos by Chérie City and Sofitel (Les Cocottes Arc de Triomphe by Gilles Trillard).

Hotels, Paris, Restaurants

L’Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris

May 31, 2015 by cheriecity

When the much-anticipated luxury hotel The Peninsula Paris opened last summer, I couldn’t wait to get back to Paris to take a peek inside.

On my recent trip to Paris, I happily had the chance to visit the five star hotel for dinner at its stunning rooftop restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc.

This first Peninsula Hotel in Europe is housed in a grand 19th century Haussmannian former palace (also once the Hotel Majestic) on the prestigious Avenue Kléber, close to the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.

The historic building has been beautifully-restored and is perfectly complemented by contemporary luxury interiors and Far Eastern design details referencing the origins of the exclusive hotel group (its iconic flagship hotel is The Peninsula Hong Kong).

On arrival, we were greeted by two stone lions guarding the entrance to the hotel, which leads on to the opulent white and gold Lobby.

Inside The Peninsula Paris is truly breathtaking with an elegant white marble promenade, sweeping black and gold-trimmed staircase and exquisite artworks. At the heart of the hotel is the Lobby’s ethereal Dancing Leaves installation, made with over 800 hand-blown glass leaves by Lasvit.

The Peninsula Paris is a delight for foodies with authentic Chinese fine dining at LiLi, the gilded Lobby serving The Peninsula’s famed afternoon tea and The Kléber Terrace offering international dishes including the all-important Club Sandwich and typical Parisian steak.

L’Oiseau Blanc restaurant, bar and terrace on the sixth floor is the jewel in the hotel’s crown with spectacular 360 degree views over the city.

The restaurant has an aviation theme and even boasts a custom-made biplane hovering above the courtyard as though en route towards the Eiffel Tower. It is in fact a replica of the ill-fated biplane flown by flying aces Charles Nungesser and Francois Coli who attempted to cross the Atlantic in 1927 from Le Bourget.

Peninsula Hotels are known for their love of motor vehicles, such as the fleet of Rolls Royces at The Peninsula Hong Kong, and L’Oiseau Blanc extends its tribute to aviation with flying objects and artefacts in glass cases and biplane motifs on the menu and tableware.

At the helm of L’Oiseau Blanc is acclaimed Alsatian Chef Sidney Redel, who previously worked for Pierre Gagnaire in Paris and Courchevel.

He brings Paris’ hip ‘bistronomy’ concept to L’Oiseau Blanc, celebrating France’s finest produce and seasonal ingredients with a daily-changing set menu. This offering is a refreshing change from Michelin-style fine dining that you might expect from a restaurant in a five star luxury hotel.

The chic restaurant feels spacious yet intimate with leather banquettes, crisp white table cloths and red roses adorning the tables. It also has a retractable roof, so you can enjoy dinner in the open air during the warmer months.

We started with a glass of crisp, refreshing Peninsula Paris Champagne and were swiftly treated to the dazzling light show from the Eiffel Tower. It was a very memorable moment – what could be more romantic than sipping Champagne against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic monuments twinkling away?

We ordered from the three-course Sierra Menu (€99 per person), which offers two choices for each course, however the chefs are happy to present other options if there’s something else that takes your fancy.

To start, I ordered Carabineros – tandoori, bitter citrus marmalade. This was a very satisfying Asian-inspired starter with complex, malty flavours from the mellow tandoori spices and intense citrus bitterness cut through with a flash of freshness from the cucumber.

Carabineros prawns are known for their bright red colour and robust flavours and these ones were tender, plump and utterly moreish.

Steven went for the Duck foie gras – terrine, smoked breast, beetroots and raspberries. The high quality foie gras had a smooth texture and its rich flavour was lightened with the acidity and sweetness of the raspberries. It was an interesting, modern way to serve a classic French dish.

I followed this with a typically French Matured beef chuck from Limousin, bone marrow, anchovies and spring onions. The flavoursome beef was cooked medium as requested with a tender pink centre and was nicely browned on the outside.

It was served atop a smooth potato purée with paper-thin golden potato crisps, small pieces of soft bonemarrow, a wilted whole spring onion and a rich, meaty jus. I didn’t actually detect the anchovies, but perhaps they were subtly blended with the potato.

Steven tried the John Dory seasoned with Iberian chorizo, carrots and turnips with curcuma. The succulent, substantial fillet of John Dory had a clean, fresh taste and was complemented by the bold, slightly spicy chorizo. The beautifully-presented vegetables added some colour and tasted lovely and market fresh.

Desserts at The Peninsula Paris are by Executive Pastry Chef Julien Alvarez – winner of the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in 2011 – and we were excited to see what he had designed for that evening.

Since we were so close to the Charle de Gaulle Étoile and gazing at the little stars adorning the Eiffel Tower, it seemed only right to try the Chocolate star, crunchy praline, macae ice cream.

This gorgeous dessert was everything that I’d hoped for. The glossy dark chocolate dome was filled with a velvety chocolate mousse and ganache with a crunchy praline biscuit base. The delicious macae ice cream was served atop a chocolate cookie and the delicate gold-painted star biscuit made it even more special.

Fruity freshness, almond biscuit, mango yuzu cream, strawberry sorbet was bursting with juiciness and exotic fruit flavours. The soft almond sponge and fine biscuit was topped with fragrant, smooth mango and yuzu cream and fresh raspberries with flecks of gold leaf.

The strawberry sorbet was a real highlight and the mango and lime compote finished the dessert perfectly.

To round off our meal, we were served pots of Earl Grey tea and some decadent white chocolate nut clusters with a slightly iridescent sheen. The rain started beating against the glass, but it did nothing to dampen our spirits as we couldn’t be more content sipping tea in front of the Eiffel Tower.

L’Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris is the perfect place to experience the magic of Paris from above with stylish surroundings, exceptional service and a creative yet unpretentious menu. I’d love to visit again in the summer to make the most of the city views over a cocktail, however dinner in the evening with the Eiffel Tower light show is unmissable.

For more information and booking, visit: www.peninsula.com

Chérie City was a guest of The Peninsula Paris

For more Paris restaurant ideas, read my review of:

Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, Paris

A Great Stay at Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg

February 24, 2014 by cheriecity

Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg is a contemporary luxury hotel in the heart of the city that epitomises Parisian chic.

The five star hotel occupies a prestigious corner on rue Boissy d’Anglas, just a few moments away from Concorde and Madeleine. It’s ideally positioned for designer shopping on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and is in good company with neighbours Hermès, Lanvin, Cartier, Chanel and Givenchy. Plus, what could be better than being so close to Ladurée and Angelina for afternoon tea?

Having previously visited Sofitel St James London and Sofitel Philadelphia, I knew that Sofitel hotels always have a certainly je ne sais quoi, but I was really wowed by Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg with its close attention to detail and sensory appeal.

The sophisticated yet playful hotel pays homage to Parisian couture with iconic fashion photography by Cathleen Naundorf and illustration by Sonia Delaunay, glass cabinets showcasing Dior handbags and accessories and glossy fashion magazines adorning the tables in the lobby. During our stay, we spotted a flurry of Chanel, Céline and Hermès shopping bags resting on seats and being delivered to guest rooms, cementing its reputation as a fashion hotel.

Arrival

Entering the hotel, guests are enveloped in a seductive rose scent that stays with you until you leave. A soundtrack of sexy French disco sets the mood and the buzzing lobby is worthy of people-watching with a constant stream of well-heeled Parisians and stylish international guests.

Check in was friendly and efficient and we were personally shown to our Prestige Collection Suite, which we made our home for two nights.

The Suite

Designed by Didier Gomez, our spacious fourth floor suite, overlooking the quiet courtyard, was slick and contemporary with a touch of 18th century elegance. It featured a separate lounge with a comfy seating area, a large TV, a walk-in closet with plenty of storage space and an ornate gold mirror.

The additional living area made the suite feel like an apartment and was perfect for relaxing with a drink after a long day exploring Paris. The free wifi was easy to connect and helped us with planning each day.

We were welcomed to the hotel with some delicious double chocolate mini muffins served under a glass dome and a fabulous book titled Literary Escapes.

Sofitel invites writers to spend a week in a suite in one of its hotels around the world as a ‘writer in residence’, taking inspiration from the city. This book is a collection of those short stories and a wonderful bed companion, particularly Patrick Chamoiseau’s story, ‘The Antillaise’s Last Smile’, written at Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg.

The Free Minibar

A fabulous perk of staying in a Prestige Collection Suite is a complimentary minibar stocked with premium fruit juices, iced tea, Coca-Cola, sparkling water and a large glass bottle of Evian. The minibar was replenished on our second day, so we had plenty of refreshing drinks to enjoy in the lounge or take out with us during the day.

As if the complimentary minibar wasn’t enough, we also had a Nespresso machine (complete with a number of espresso capsules) and tea making facilities with a selection of fine tea, including my favourite peppermint.

The Bedroom

The bedroom was refined and calming, designed in a palette of white and accents of gold, with a luxurious beige carpet bearing the Sofitel logo. I was excited to try the signature Sofitel MyBed, which was without a doubt one of the best hotel beds I’ve ever slept in.

As I was staying with my mother, housekeeping kindly made the king-size bed into two twins with our own separate duvets. It felt like sleeping on a cloud and everything was just perfect, from the layers of sumptuous padding, luxurious sheets and plump pillows to the ideal bed height.

There is even a pillow menu to personally customise the MyBed. I always forget to make use of this feature in luxury hotels, but I was happy with the signature pillows and didn’t need anything else.

Despite being in the very centre of Paris, our suite was surprisingly quiet and tranquil at night. The hotel is located next to the American Embassy, so the 24-hour police presence at the end of the street limits traffic, which means an uninterrupted sleep for hotel guests.

Turndown

In the evening, the bedroom was prepared for sleeping with the duvet turned down, cotton mats and slippers placed by the bed, curtains drawn, classical music playing from the Bose sound system and new bottles of Evian on the bedside tables. The final touch was a delicious chocolate and toasted coconut disc by Jean-Paul Hévin on the pillow.

The Bathroom

The sleek, slate grey bathroom featured a large walk-in shower, magnifying mirror, lots of the finest quality towels and plush bathrobes with the Sofitel logo.

Hermès Bath Products

I was delighted to find a full set of Hermès Eau d’Orange bathroom amenities both on the counter and in the shower. How appropriate since Hermès is a neighbour, conveniently opposite the hotel on the rue Saint-Honoré.

Breakfast

Each morning, we had breakfast in the hotel’s chic restaurant Les Collections. It’s a popular morning spot not only for guests but for Parisian fashion and media types visiting for breakfast meetings, so it’s often necessary to wait in the lobby for a table during peak times. If you’re on a tight schedule in the morning, I would recommend having breakfast in the library or in your room.

Also designed by Didier Gomez, the bright and airy restaurant resembles an haute couture garden with trompe l’oeil greenery and ivy printed on the walls and mirrors. In fact, the restaurant leads on to a leafy courtyard garden, where guests can enjoy a cocktail or al fresco lunch in the summer months, away from the crowds on the main street.

À la carte dishes such as waffles, pancakes and eggs to order are available, however we were tempted simply by the excellent buffet. We were instantly brought a basket of the most delicious, flaky pastries – the kind that you hope to wake up to when in Paris. My English Breakfast Tea was served in a heavy Asian-style teapot while my mum’s freshly-brewed coffee came in a large cafetière.

The breakfast buffet had a good selection of quality breakfast items and I particularly liked the bar laden with healthy mini smoothie shots, juices and traditional French yoghurts. Of course, we couldn’t be too virtuous when there was a whole table dedicated to cake, with scrumptious mini muffins, brownies, Madeleines and even a tarte aux poires.

The Restaurant

At lunch and dinner, Les Collections offers a menu of innovative French dishes with an Asian twist, created by Chef Keigo Kimura. The restaurant feels like a secret address and much more discreet than the people-watching brasseries of the areas, plus the menu is just as fresh and appealing as the interiors.

Bar 30

Another intimate spot in the hotel is Bar 30 with warm, elegant interiors and a cosy clubhouse feel. My favourite part of the hotel was the stylish library, just off the lobby, where guests can enjoy a drink and flick through a great selection of books.

To relax and unwind, the hotel offers a spa for massages and facials using Cinq Mondes products, a 24-hour gym, an ‘experience’ steam room and hammam.

Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg is a sophisticated, fun hotel with lots of personality and an unbeatable location. It’s the kind of hotel that leaves a lasting impression and you really just won’t want to leave.

For more information and booking, visit: www.sofitel.com

Chérie City was invited by Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg

Photos by Chérie City and Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg

Featured, France, Hotels, Paris

A Carrie Bradshaw Moment at Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris

June 5, 2012 by cheriecity

Hôtel Plaza Athénée is one of Paris’ most stylish and romantic five star hotels with an unrivalled fashion heritage. Located on the chic Avenue Montaigne, this Art Nouveau palace hotel has been epitome Parisian luxury since 1911.

I was recently invited to spend the night at Hôtel Plaza Athénée as part of a luxury trip to the Hermès Atelier and Hermès Left Bank store. Staying at Plaza Athénée has always been a dream and pulling up to the hotel in our taxi, seeing the iconic red awnings was a real ‘wow’ moment.

Sex and the City filming

This is a good point to mention that Hôtel Plaza Athénée was the backdrop for Carrie Bradshaw’s Paris adventures for ‘An American Girl in Paris’, the last two episodes of Sex and the City. The lobby is elegant, intimate and filled with beautiful floral arrangements. It is in fact cosier than in the TV series (a trick of the camera), yet just as spectacular.

Arrival

Throughout the hotel there is a luminous warmth, making you feel enveloped in a cashmere cocoon of luxury. The friendly, attentive staff impressed by learning to pronounce my name perfectly, addressing me as ‘Madame Alimohamadi’ for the duration of my stay. It’s these small touches that keeps Plaza Athénée, a member of the prestigious Dorchester Collection, at the top of its game.

The Room

My Deluxe Room on the first floor overlooking the Avenue Montaigne was simply exquisite. It was designed in a Parisian style with a colour palette of pink, silver grey and light beige. The stunning Louis XVI-style chairs and the heavy silk drapes were made of the finest fabric and I loved the antique lamps and marquetry writing bureau.

A Welcome Treat

I was welcomed with a delicious lemon cake, large bottle of mineral water and fresh fruit.

The spacious room also featured a separate dressing room with two wardrobes, a full-length cupboard and a vanity dresser.

The king-size bed was ever so comfortable and covered with crisp hypo-allergenic linen. There is also a pillow menu, so you choose between de-stressing, osteopathic, beautifying, wheat, synthetic or horsehair. I didn’t have time to select my pillows before dinner, but the pillows selected for me were perfect (I’d like to think they were the beautifying ones).

When I first arrived, it took a while to find the TV. I searched the cupboards and tables for a sign of a screen and eventually discovered that the large gilded mirror turned into a plasma TV!

Other room features include remote-control air conditioning, internet access (for a fee), DVD player, twice daily housekeeping (including evening turn-down), complimentary shoe shine and a minibar stocked with 80 items.

The Bathroom

The marble bathroom was also suitably luxurious with a marble bath, walk-in shower, double sink and embroidered bathrobes and slippers. The chic bathroom amenities resembled Chanel No.5 bottles and were specially developed for the hotel by natural skincare brand, Plantation.

Breakfast

In the morning, we had an early start, so I ordered the American Breakfast – Poached Eggs on Toast with bacon, a selection of Viennoiserie, cereal, red berries, fresh orange juice and English breakfast tea. The breakfast was excellent and beautifully presented on a full-size table with silver service.

The Carrie Bradshaw Suite

We were given a tour of the hotel, starting with the Eiffel Suite, also known as the Carrie Bradshaw suite. The suite has since been redesigned, however, we stood on the balcony where a Sonia Rykiel-clad Carrie screams at the Eiffel Tower.

On this one rare occasion, I felt slightly more fortunate than Carrie Bradshaw, as I had the pleasure of spending my time there with Hermès and fabulous fashion bloggers, rather than Aleksandr Petrovsky! However, wearing her mille-feuille couture gown to dinner would have been most welcome.

Dining at Plaza Athénée is an absolute delight. You can enjoy tea and cake by renowned pastry chef Christophe Michalak in the elegant Galerie des Gobelins (where Carrie met Petrovsky’s daughter Chloé) or summer outdoor dining at La Terrasse Montaigne or the romantic Cour Jardin.

For something more traditional and typically Parisian, try Le Relais Plaza with its steak and seafood focused bistro menu by Alain Ducasse. The interiors are inspired by the Art Deco liner Le Normandie and the entrance is lined with photographs of celebrity guests at Le Relais Plaza.

Dinner at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée

The jewel of the hotel, however, is the three Michelin star restaurant, Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée. We enjoyed a long, multiple course dinner at The Chef’s Table – an experience for special occasions that cannot be bought.

Le Bar du Plaza Athénée

An apéritif or a cocktail at Le Bar du Plaza Athénée is an absolute must. The hip bar is designed by Patrick Jouin, a former protégé of Philippe Starck and has cool features such as a sculpted glass bar and iPads for ordering cocktails. Recently, the Plaza Athénée mixologist Thierry Hernandez collaborated with perfumer Sophie Labbé on L’ELIXIR DE PRINTEMPS, a unique cocktail and perfume experience. With each cocktail, guests receive a limited edition bottle of L’ELIXIR DE PRINTEMPS perfume.

Dior Institut

Another perk of staying at Hôtel Plaza Athénée is access to the stunning Dior Institut. Opened in 2008, the Dior Institut pays tribute to the long-standing relationship between the hotel and Christian Dior. In 1947, Christian Dior opened his first shop on Avenue Montaigne, so that he could be close to his beloved Plaza Athénée and his well-heeled clients. In fact, Monsieur Dior even named some of his collections ‘Plaza’ and ‘Athénée’.

This stylish, peaceful sanctuary offers a relaxation lounge, tea room, steam baths, saunas and fitness centre. Luxurious Dior Beauté skin and body treatments are offered in private rooms designed to reflect Christian Dior’s iconic geometric lines and signature colours, white and grey.

Hôtel Plaza Athénée continues its strong fashion legacy by hosting the Dorchester Collection Prize 2012. The judging panel, from different sectors of the fashion industry, includes Kenzo Takada, Lorenz Baumer, Bruno Frisoni, Nathalie Rykiel, Chantal Thomass, Alexandra Golovanoff, Harumi Klossowska de Rola and Jean-Jacques Picart.

Staying at Hôtel Plaza Athénée is a dreamy, awe-inspiring experience, where luxury is a fine art. A more stylish Paris address simply cannot be found.

A Deluxe Room is priced at €995 per night. Suites start from €1,255. For more info and booking, visit: www.plaza-athenee-paris.com

Chérie City was a guest of Hôtel Plaza Athénée

All photos by Chérie City