Mandarin Oriental, Paris
"So, what can you tell us about this place?Of the 10 Palace hotels in Paris, only one stands out from the rest in updated decor. After entering the marble lobby and craning my neck upward to take in the leafy courtyard garden and cascading greens from the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, I felt transported out of Paris and into a more contemporary city where the past isn't brandished quite so heavily as a selling point. Makes sense that this is a the Mandarin, an Asian group with different codes for luxury. "Another elegance" is what I said to myself the first time I visited the hotel. And that extends through to the restaurants, the rooms and spa. And the service was impeccable from start to finish. We like the sound of something different. What’s the crowd like?Mandarin devotees from around the world, high-profile public figures, and the fashion set, drawn to the hotel's location on one of the city's most upscale shopping streets. Makes sense. Now, onto the good stuff: Tell us about the digs.Rooms vary in size and color palette but all offer soft rugs, silk throws, a neutral but warm color scheme with accent colors like purple, floral bouquets, and large beds just asking to be jumped on. I visited the Deluxe room which was Art Deco in style, had a walk in shower, and contemporary art lining the walls. It was peaceful and quiet. Perfect. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?The bed had 500 thread count linens and a robust pillow menu to meet different needs. They attend to all types, it seems. How about the little things, like the mini bar, or shower goodies? What would you sneak back, if you could?I would snatch the Bang & Olufsen audio accessories, a more upscale alternative to the Marshall amps seen in more and more properties. Good call. And please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down? What can we expect?Walk-in shower, separate bathtub, beautiful and extremely bright. Frette linen bathrobes were soft, not overly cumbersome like most robes tend to be. Nice, local touch: Diptyque toiletries with a scent created especially for the hotel. Oh, Diptyque is a favorite. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wifi's free. Excellent. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Thierry Marx oversees Sur Mesure and Camélia, a wise choice in culinary lead given that among the country's leading French chefs, Marx is someone who is always on the bleeding edge. Having him on board is a clear nod to the local culture and culinary prowess but his inventiveness and diverse culinary background matches the hotel's contemporary spirit. Sur Mesure benefits from intimate dining nooks, soft round (almost futuristic) lines and all white/off white color scheme. Put this place in space and it wouldn't be an unusual sight. Over at the spa, there's a 14-meter pool, and a host of treatments. There's also a garden/courtyard for coffee, snacks and drinks—a gorgeous space in the warmer months—and a to-go Cake Shop located at the entrance to Camélia, one of the only properties in Paris to offer this. Wow—there's a lot to see. Bottom line: Is this place worth a stay?It doesn't feel distinctly Parisian, despite the cuisine and the views, but someone who books the Mandarin knows that ahead of time. The service, the location and the comfort in-room makes it memorable by default."
