Hotel De Crillon

Hotel description

Next to the spot where rebelling peasants once chopped off the heads of aristocrats, stands the Hotel de Crillon, whose Presidential Apartment (favored by both Madonna and Arnold Schwarzenegger) has a price tag so exorbitant it's only revealed after you've confirmed your reservation.

In the style of grand Parisian hotels, the Crillon has much trompe d'oeil, gilt, and mirrors, but is more sophisticated than some. Designer Sonia Rykiel, who is probably better-known for her sophisticated little knit dresses, has tastefully renovated most of the hotel in the Louis XV style. It's luxe at the Crillon, but not gaudy, with its hand-painted ceilings, Baccarat crystal fixings, and monstrously rare 18th century clocks and geegaws on the marble fireplaces. The Duc de Crillon Suite is in high demand, with its portraits of its famous tenants in times past decking the walls.

Not surprisingly, at the Crillon, eating and drinking are a priori. You can gossip with the Paris media at the newly renovated L'Obé, or you can head to the two-star Les Ambassadeurs, which has had the reputation of turning out some of the best chefs in Paris—including its current occupant, Jean-François Piège.

But even more than dining, the Crillon is about spending — not in the flash-cash-and-big-gold-watch way, but spending with discretion and style. During fashion week, this place is packed. And just across the street is every boutique from Martine Sitbon to Hermès and Dior. The best time of day at the Crillon therefore is at sunset, post shopping. Sit on the terrace of your suite—if you're wealthy enough to afford one—and look out onto Place de la Concorde, Le Jardin des Tuileries and l'Assemblée Nationale. You're probably just above the place where the hags used to knit sweaters from the hair of the decapitated. Meanwhile, you can drink your champagne and quietly thank God for your Louis Vuitton cashmere.