There is something so particular, individual and enchanting about a Parisian hotel that is unlike anywhere else. Walking through the revolving doors into a large Parisian hotel is like entering another world; the crystal chandeliers, the paneled and gilt embellished walls, the antique furniture and the formally suited employees is the formula for a classic scene. The French hotel is all about the sounds and the scents; it is the hushed tones of guests talking business, it’s the clink of glasses as friends toast to their catch up, it’s the click clack of heels as the elegant sashay across the wide expanses of marble and it is the floral scents and the candles that tickle the nose.
For the price of a coffee (probably the most expensive coffee you may ever drink) the hotel opens its doors and their world becomes yours – Parisian glamour first hand. The lobby is the heart and soul of the French hotel and the place to people watch; this is the place to contemplate fashion trends, to study up on interiors, to learn the art of the table and to try and soak up the Parisian accent. If you are a committed Francophile like me this is the most perfect way to spend a morning. I love to take note of simple things like furniture arrangement; I look for ideas in the soft furnishings and the colour combinations, for if nothing else the French are brave and only too happy to push boundaries. I take note of the porcelain, the glassware and the linens and the way the food is served; styling and presentation are immaculate. Parisian hotels are famous for their resident florists. A walk into the major hotel lobbies in Paris is like taking a floral class with the best of the best. One rule applies when arranging flowers de la mode francaise; one variety and lots of them.
The luxurious Parisian hotel bedroom is all about brocade quilts, Egyptian cotton sheets and thick pile carpet. The walls are covered in rich damask paper, the sconces are capped with petite silk lampshades that cast a rosy glow and the furnishings are finished with a hint of gold. The curtains are fringed and heavy and the windows double-glazed to block out the sounds of the scooters changing gears as they burn up, down and around the rue outside. The bathroom is all about marble, a quarry load of marble – marble shower, marble walls, marble floor and marble bath surrounds. Thick and chunky sheets of veined marble give a dramatic solidity to the space. The taps and the mirrors are chrome and oversized; everything is bold in the bathroom. Scented soaps, potions and lotions are aplenty as are the thick white towels stacked above the bath. Room service is the very definition of discretion and served with downcast eyes firmly focused on the tray. The table is laid up just as beautifully in the bedroom as in the restaurant – silver, porcelain, linen and flowers. Delicious concoctions from the Michelin starred kitchen direct to your door and no need to frock up and make-up.
If I could be lost for a day it would be here in this Parisian paradise with room service at my fingertips, a fluffy white bathrobe as my couture and glamorous French decor as my friend… xv
It would be heavenly to be lost in 'The French Hotel' forever.
It sounds like a wonderful experince
Alison
this place looks amazing, I can barely imagine being there it is so "pristine"! Love it
I am with you every step of the way!
Great post. I drooled all the way through it. I would love to join you for that trip. Hugs, Marty
Luxurious! I would love to sit and watch the world pass by. That wall of hand-held mirrors is gorgeous. A nice thought for a collection. You always know how to take us away on a little escape~and I'm not at all sure I would want to return from this one.
Fairy tale… xxx
Oh yes! Sheer divine delight.
Actually would you recommend where to go in Paris on a Saturday to get some bric a brac.
We don't arrive from London until midday so an afternoon venue – if you know of anywhere.
Thank you for the beautiful tour of the Parisian Hotel. I love the hand mirror and candle display. sandi
Heaven. (((sigh)))
Le sigh!!!!I hope that if heaven exists it is like a French hotel.
We stayed at the Hotel Elyees Regencia Park in Paris last fall and while it lacked most of what you describe, it was a fabulous boutique hotel in the perfect location.
That wall of hand-held mirrors is amazing! Lovely post and images.
Happy Monday to you.
I would love to be lost also …in this kind of paradise
Dear Vicki,
You just stole my heart! Le Meurice is where I stay every year! My husband and I adore this hotel. Your words and images put me right there. Thank you for such the gift you gave in this post!
xx's
Wonderful! Me too I adore Parisien Hotels. A few years ago we stayed for 2 nights in the Ritz! I had the same experience of what you said in your post!
It is af you enter another world!
Greet
Sounds like the perfect day to me, Vicki…fashion, flowers, fizz, food and fun…perfect. XXXX
Another amazing VickiMoment.
I'm so happy I chose to visit your hotel as I was sitting with my coffee and breakfast tray.
Plus perfect …. .
Really elegant and beautiful. I love the collection of hand mirrors and candles.
What a lovely place! Thank you for to show us this hotel. I love your blog,fantastic photos and interesting posts. Thank you for sharing them. Best wishes!! Laura
Vicki I love this post. You are so right- Parisian hotels are the chicest in the world!
When we renovated our master bathroom in Santa Monica I wanted to call upon the essence of the Hotel Ritz or George V- so marble it was- everywhere! And it is still my favorite room in the house
Beautiful post xo
Yes, yes, yes!!
I will take a room for 24 hours please!
I'd get lost with you….anytime!! Heavenly my dear to say the least,Chrissy
I would like to be lost in this hotel too and if we meet please don't show me the way out.
a bientôt
christian
ohhhh yes! i stayed at the prince de galle on st. george for one of my visits to paris, it was an oh-la-la for sure! i switched over to all white bathroom linens after that visit :)
Aaahh, can you hear me sighing from over there?! I could be lost forever in a Parisian hotel; forever amen!
Charming, I think it's even more attractive than the George V.
There is nothing better than a fancy hotel (as I like to call them) and I am sure they are fanciest of all in France. Do you have a favorite?
x Trina
It sounds glorious, indeed. Your writing made me feel almost as if I were there. What luxury!
i just drooled all over my keyboard…thanks Vicki!
i love the pic of the hand mirrors all over the wall.
xo
Take me there….! I love your photos, particularly the display of hand mirrors. And I was trying very hard not to be extremely jealous while reading your very attractive description.
Clare x
What a beautiful hotel. Very chic. I love to hear heels on marble floors.
Sam
You totally transported me away to the beautiful Parisian Hotel.
The photo's are really gorgeous.
Wonderful post Vicki!
xxx
Love the hand mirrors….
I will never forget strolling thru the Georges V and seeing white rose petals and candles on the marble floor, it was so elegant – surely there would be some fire code here in the states preventing such creativity.
If you decide to stop by TLPC for my post on hospitality, don't be surprised if i'm not home…I will be on my way to meet you at "The French Hotel!"
What a moving meditation on the love of a place Vicki.
Always such a joy to visit with you!
Lisa
Parisian restautants are master of the lighting effect. I bet my life they also use pink lightbulbs. You showed up some beauties Vicki. Talk soon about coffee.
if I lived in Paris, I would meet for coffee there every Thursday~
i love thursdays
My dream is to spend a month at one of the great Parisian hotels. Someday!!! Thanks for this wonderful post.
ML
mlanesepic.blogspot.com
You are so right about Parisian hotels they are out there on their own. I miss staying in them sometimes as now my daughter has a big house outside Paris there is no need. I do pop in for a cup of their expensive coffee now and again though.
That is one beautiful hotel!
stop it! stop it! I cant bear it any longer – its all to gorgeous to take in!! how absolutely divine, so luscious and exquisite. Chris Reilly, one of my artist is flying to Paris tomorrow, so hopefully on her return, we'll have gorgeous "French" women in everyday poses. This was a beautiful post – as usual!
So very lovely indeed♥
Shhh, I must speak very quietly. I want it, I need it, I must have Le Meurice now!
Millie ^_^
I am off to France very shortly (Bordeaux), it would be a dream to stay in this French Hotel. Thank you so much for your very gracious praise on my showhouse.
An eerie coincidence: Toni Colette who plays the character Tara for whom I designed the showhouse (Showtime Series) just purchased my australian design client's house in Sydney……would love to design for her next… Your blog is an inspiration to me and always put a smile on my face
This looks like a slice of heaven! Tracey xx
Thanks for the French Hotel lesson, Vicki. That would be a wonderful experience, no doubt!
Vicki, I smiled all through this post. The hotel I stayed in the two times I visited Paris was way down the budget scale than your lovely description – but do you know – it still contained all the glamour and romance to me? Paris has that effect for some reason I cannot divine. Even budget still has a sense of grandeur and beauty to it. Next time I go to Paris, I would prefer to do it the Vicki way! xx
Vicki,
You made me long for Paris. You have a way of capturing the essence of whatever you are writing about. Thank you for the lovely interlude.
If only I could stay awhile. A year maybe?
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind comment and joining my blog.
As for "The French Hotel" I loved the hand mirrors…I have a little wall space covered in baroque minature mirrors of various sizes… but this is a nice arrangement… I might just rearrange mine.
It was just dripping with ambiance…wasn't it? Beautiful.
Lee
Few have mastered the art of hospitality like the French. There is something so magical about hotels in France. Great post and lovely photos, Vicki. XO
That place is stunning and soooo elegant! I would love to meet you there for a cup of coffee…
It would be très FAB!
Fifi
I clearly need to stay in a better class of hotel. The Holiday Inn is never like this.
one day. :)
There are days, my friend, when my envy of your life in france is endless… Thank you for sharing a part of it with the rest of us. You are an inspiration~
xx
This is fabulous! Love the Parisian hotel in all its glamour and you captured it so well!
Thanks for stopping by today!
I tell you, it was really lovely!
Victoria
Gorgeous. I loved the photos and your very detailed descriptions.
I'm fascinated about the resident florists…
Having only traveled to Paris once, and as a student, I did not experience this kind of lodging. Life is long, though.
Thank you, Vicki.
Oh how fabulously sensuous! And that lighting looks as though it would make everyone look gorgeous. Leave it to the French.
How amazing! The photos are wonderful! Thanks for taking me away to a different place today!
Oh, I know, I know.
It's been such a long, long time for me.
Now you're making me long to figure out a way to tuck in for just one night. More likely I'll tuck into a coupe, but it will be so sumptuous, so glamorous.
I'll have to remember to drink sloooowly.
Merci for the reve.
Tish
Hi Vicki~
So Magical! Today I am missing France EVER SO MUCH! Thank you for reminding me of it's beauty!
Xox's
~Miss Kris~
And what a beautiful place to get lost in Vicki♥x
It is things like this that makes me wish my parents never moved here!!! well that's not exactly true…but it would be nice to come back SOMEDAY!!!
I need to say this: You could write about a door knob and make it sound romantic.
YOU ARE GOOD GIRL!!!
Vicki, these pictures were amazing. I especially love the picture of Monet's home. How lovely!
LuLu~*xoxo
You not only know how to find the joy in a "spot", you know how to describe it so that others feel they are "there". Brilliant!
Love this piece, as I do your whole blog. Atmosphere, and plenty of it! Merci.
I have lost myself in your beautiful book (My French LIfe)(Christmas present from my beloved)over the last couple of days at Hamilton Island (Queensland Australia). I am delighted to have found your blog! Cannot help but mention two French hotels at which we were guests in June this year – Champs Elysee Plaza in Rue de Berri in Paris and La Mirande in Avignon. (I noticed apron from LM in your book!)The Plaza is modern but very stylish and service divine. La Mirande was utterly exquisite. We were guests at the chef's table with Jean Paul – an indescribable delight. France is a constant magnet to me, thank you so much for your book and blog, you are a lovely writer and Carla's photographs are gorgeous. Both are an absolute treat. I appreciate the hard work but the divine reward when the house was complete (not that that task is ever truly complete!!) I now need to plan for the next trip to France!!
So Magical! Today I am missing France EVER SO MUCH! Thank you for reminding me of it's beauty!
Also there is beautiful places and Hotel to enjoy holidays in in Alagrve
I agree. Parisian hotels really have a unique kind of charm to them. And oh, the hand mirrors used as wall decor as seen in one of your photos is such a lovely idea!
That is one beautiful hotel… Really elegant and beautiful. I love the collection of hand mirrors and candles. My dream is to spend a month at one of the great Parisian hotels. Someday…!
it’s really a wonderful place… one can enjoy luxuries of life. It is a better place… i want to stay there. i like burning candles and all of its beautiful. i have no words to explain its beauty