Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris

Paris

Paris is a city in perpetual motion which attracts 29 million visitors a year. Thanks to its 2000 year old history, the French capital possesses an exceptional number of monuments, museums as a well as a variety of distinctly different neighborhoods. Once a simple village adjacent to the city, the Faubourg du Roule quarter has become one of the most prestigious in Paris. This seat of power and prestige in the 8^th arrondisement is one of the most visited in the capital. Famous throughout the world,the Champs Elysées, which runs from the Place de la Concorde to the Arch of Triumph, owes its nickname of ‘the most beautiful avenue in the world” to the incredible perspective it offers from the Louvre. With the construction of the Arch of Triumph, the avenue became the venue for victory celebrations, first for military parades and later for athletic victories and popular celebrations such as New Year’s Eve. Still today, thousands of Parisians and visitors come here to “ring out the old and ring in the new.” Especially popular with tourists, this quarter embodies, for many people, the magnificence of the French capital.

The embodiment of hotel luxury

Founded by the creators of the Carlton in Paris and the Miramar in Cannes, the Royal Monceau has been, ever since it opened in 1928, the embodiment of hotel luxury. Ideally located between the Parc Monceau and the Arch of Triumph at the top of the Champs Elysées, it has always welcomed, and continues to welcome artists, celebrities and intellectuals from all over the world.

Closed in 2008 for a complete renovation, it reopened in 2010, with the addition of the adjacent building. Totally redesigned by the legendary French creator, Philippe Starck, it is now an extraordinary site dedicated to contemporary art.

The works of numerous artists are displayed throughout the entire hotel, including the incredible series of wooden deer sculptures by Russian artist, Nikolay Polisski, statues by Thomas Boog and Joana Vasconcelos and paintings by Rosson Crow as well as an impressive collection of works by renowned photographers. TheArt District, a gallery, an art oriented book shop, a movie theatre and two “art concierges” complete the panoply dedicated to contemporary art.

Access to the hotel’s 85 rooms and 54 suites is via a monumental staircase lit by a collection of unique chandeliers from the former Royal Monceau, and highlighted by the play of mirrors that reflect them.

The 1940s and 50s decorations contain abundant references to André Malraux, Jean Cocteau and recording artists like Ray Charles.

Wherever one looks, there’s precious wood, a Philippe Starck piece of furniture, large photographs, discreet embroidery on the pillows and the quilts, refined fabrics and lamps mounted on Vallauris ceramic vases. Each room possesses a flat TV screen hidden behind a mirror, an acoustic guitar, various works of art and a bathroom entirely covered with mirrors.

The more traditional, prestigious and immense presidential suites are veritable private, Parisian style residences.

A must visit in this luxurious palace is the huge, immaculately white spa which offers personalized treatments.

The sumptuous swimming pool, the largest of all Parisian hotels, is 28 meters long and is bathed in natural light.

The equally magnificent La Cuisine restaurant has been awarded a star in the Michelin Guide. Guests can be seated at large convivial tables which run the length of the Stéphane Calai fresco, in a cozier alcove, or facing the open kitchen in order to discover the specialties of Chef Laurent André, including a Saint Peter’s fish cooked “on the bone”, or a “quasi of veal in a copper casserole”. Dessert specialties include an “infinitely vanilla tart” or the famous millefeuilleminute (Napoleon)” created by the celebrated pastry chef, Pierre Hermé.

To end the evening, the highly recommended Bar Long breaks with the traditional face to face of bartender and client, thanks to a high rear lit table placed in the center, where guests can enjoy a late night drink while relaxing in this extraordinary space.

Dwight David Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, Maurice Chevalier, Walt Disney, Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway, Joséphine Baker, Joseph Kessel, Hô Chi Minh, Michel Polnareff (the French singer stayed here for two years without leaving), Madonna, Michael Jackson and Robert de Niro have all stayed at the Royal Monceau.