Monsieur George Hôtel & Spa - Champs Elysées

"Greek magnate Umbert Saltiel religiously went to Blake’s Hotel in London, Anouska’s Hempel’s first hotel, which she opened in 1978, every week for years on end. When it came to transforming his own latest hotel, in a handsome Hausmann building in Paris just a beat from the Champs-Élysées, he wanted no one else. His son, Nicolas, tracked down the onetime Bond Girl-turned-designer, otherwise known as Lady Weinberg, and convinced her to take on the project. And as ever, she doesn’t do things by half. Her exacting attention to detail is obvious everywhere—"If you’re alive, you have to try and be the best," she says—in a riot of jade, emerald, and forest green, black lacquered paint, chevron tiles, and marble, and so many mirrors your perspective shifts as you move. A small but cleverly constructed space, the 46 rooms are spread over six floors. Décor is a mishmash of Anoushka’s travels. Moroccan in essence, offset with Indian lanterns and ikat prints from Romania; moody and sultry. Lady Weinberg is so obsessed with lighting, she added a Perspex filter to light bulbs by the bed to achieve the perfect soft glow. In the basement, cult Parisian yoga and wellness club Le Tigre doles out soothing massages, while restaurant Galanya looks to Asia with yellowtail sashimi, prawn ravioli, beef tataki, and cod with Japanese mushrooms cooked with precision. Much like the entire hotel, nothing is an accident or left to chance; it’s an orchestra of taste, all conducted by Lady Weinberg herself. It’s an opulent addition to the Parisian scene." - Sandra Ramani, Lindsey Tramuta

"Walking distance from the Eiffel Tower: 30 minutes George Washington never went to Paris. The farthest he ever got from home was a short visit to Barbados. Yet the Parisians held him in sufficiently high esteem to erect two fine statues in his honor and to name a street after him, each of them in a notably posh part of the capital. Now the street dubbed Rue Washington in his memory has a hotel in a converted townhouse at number 17 that bears his name too: Monsieur George, a delicious bite-sized macaron of a place. Credit for the hotel’s deliciousness must go to its interior designer, Anouska Hempel, a woman of many talents and exceptional energy. Among her claims to fame is nothing less than the invention of the boutique hotel—an era-defining phenomenon that sprang into existence when she opened Blakes in London in 1978. Blakes was full of mirrors, velvet, and exotic flourishes suggestive of a well-traveled, sophisticated, possibly rather decadent way of life. And so is Monsieur George. The mirrors, the velvet, and the exotic flourishes are very much in evidence—and it is testament to the enduring strength of the Hempel aesthetic that it all still works so nicely, that it all still seems so fun and fresh, sexy and chic. The rooms at Monsieur George, let it be said, are not large. Rather compact. Ask, therefore, for one of the suites, either the Marly, in the courtyard to the rear, a sort of miniature mews house with the bedroom upstairs and lots of clever partitions and screens; or the Franklin, on the sixth floor, an utterly unexpected white-on-white affair beneath the eaves, an essay in monochrome minimalism, more monastic than presidential—and only the more delightful for it. —SK" - Lauren Burvill

"The décor of Monsieur George is as sumptuous as its Champs-Élysées surroundings, thanks to the work of designer Anouska Hempel. Words like hyper-luxe and glamorous define the hotel’s atmosphere, while its restaurant, Galanga, serves elegant and technically precise dishes based on premium quality produce." - The MICHELIN Guide

"What’s the backstory?  The latest string to actress/model/fashion designer turned hotelier Anouska Hempel’s bow; known for Blake’s in London (her first outpost that opened in 1978) then Singapore’s The Duxton, landscape gardens in Wiltshire and London, and various Van Cleef & Arpels stores and the Louis Vuitton flagship in Paris, she was charged by Greek financier Umbert Saltiel and his son Nicholas to transform their newly acquired space on Rue Washington. It took three years from start to finish, with Hempel putting the French production team through their paces with her exacting standards every step of the way. Set the scene. Piles of fashion books in reception, velvet chairs, gigantic fans in the window and exotic potted plants set the razzle dazzle scene instantly. Rooms are decorated in four different styles: Chequers, Windsor, Benjamin Franklin, and Marly; collectively they create an image of a modern Fitzgerald novel, all classic Hempel; lavish, contrasting fabrics from plush satin to taffeta. The color scheme is strict; greys, biscuit, ebony, and lots of deep greens, bar a respite from the top-floor rooms which are refreshingly (and shockingly for Hempel) white-on-white. The beds are ridiculously comfortable, while bathrooms are defined by crittall windows and sliding lighting (which is, in fact, a huge deal for Hempel—she’s added a Perspex filter to bedside lamps and fought tooth and nail for just the right dim glow throughout the entire hotel). What can we expect in our room? Thick padded slippers, small wardrobes, gorgeous views of Rue Washington below, heavy-to-lift draped velvet curtains. And mirrors. Lots of mirrors. Plus, a mini bar high on drinks, low on snacks. How about the food and drink? Off the lobby, the Galangal restaurant serves a limited menu of Asian-inspired fare like cod fish yellow curry for dinner, plus a daytime menu that spans from Croque Monsieurs and Caesar salads to buckwheat ramen with smoked tofu. Featuring both set and a la carte menus, Sunday brunch, served year-round in the restaurants or on the terrace, is a lively affair that’s a hit with families. Start your days with breakfast (there are three prix fixe options available in the restaurant, or you can get room service), then end them in the cool mirrored bar, where the classic cocktails are made with homemade elixirs. Hempel’s tipple of choice is a Whiskey Sour, but there’s also a wine cellar with tables and chairs where people fall on cheese platters and clarets of Bordeaux. What’s the crowd like? Smart. Well-turned out affluent French locals, and those operating in the elevated Hempel (who also bears the title Lady Weinberg) world. Many come for the specialized food and wine, though it’s also a draw for couples as the lighting is so low and the space small it instantly feels sultry and romantic. Anything to say about the service? Like the entire operation, it’s exacting. Every member of staff will know your name, and if you have an obscure request, they’ll fulfill it for you. On the double. Acting as if Lady Weinberg is watching over their shoulder for a slip up. What’s the neighborhood scene like? The street is classic Paris (Rue Washington with its tabacs and chocolate shops) found on the right bank in the heart of the 8th district. Art museums aplenty nearby (most notable is the Grand Palais) along with the Champs-Élysées’ shiny office fronts, shops, and cafés packed with tourists. Anything else to add? Book a massage in the spa; it’s like being engulfed in a glorious cocoon for over an hour. (The wellness area also has a steam and sauna; private yoga sessions can be set up in your room.) And do order room service, as standards don’t slip from restaurant to bed. In fact, it’s almost improved. Anything you’d change? The food could be more reassuring and include some French classics like a croque Monsieur, steak haché, frîtes. Puddings are delicious but fussy, the bowl of chocolate-covered salted almonds served with coffee is the real hit. As long as service remains friendly and family-style and not OTT it will thrive. Is it worth it? Absolutely. It’s exceptional attention to detail, with a modest starting fee." - Sophie Goodwin