A celebrity haunt: the Plaza Athenée
Once the hotel in which heroes and heroines of the silver screen would hole up for some well needed cocaine-fuelled R&R, now the hotel of choice for rock bands and diplomats, the Plaza Athenée is, quite simply, beautiful. From its distinctive exteriors with its curved glass window casements to its magnificent foyer, the Plaza is ideally suited to those seeking a perfect location for shopping, dining and pampering oneself.
Avenue Montaigne, the Champs Elysées, Le Grand Palais, and the 8th arrondissement
Right in the middle of Paris’ most exclusive shopping street Avenue Montaigne, Giorgio Armani, Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dupont, Chloe and so many many more boutiques line the pavement. Watch the haute couture clad girls to and fro from shop to shop before heading to the Plaza for drinks, then heading down the road to L’Avenue, a favourite celebrity haunt that serves mediocre food at exorbitant prices. Around the corner on Rue Marbeuf is Mandala Ray, one of the hippest clubs in Paris, once owned by Johnny Depp, Mick Hucknall, Sean Penn and John Malkovich.
The décor of th Plaza Athenée
A distinct red theme pervades the hotel, from its vermilion sun awnings to the red piping on the trim of the porters’ jackets. Rooms are decorated in three clear styles; Louis XVI, Art Deco and Regency. Each room has its own pleasant view; the shops of Avenue Montaigne, the hill of Montmartre or the Cour Jardin, the quaint and tranquil courtyard at the centre of the building. The Royal Suite demands €20000 per night, but for the thriftier among you opt for a smaller room and enjoy the magnificence of the Plaza Athenée in all its breathtaking splendour.
Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenée
There are two reasons why the Plaza Athenée is the Paris hotel most visited by non-residents: the Spa Dior Institut, probably the best beauty spa in the world, and Alain Ducasse’s three Michelin starred eponymous restaurant. Whilst lithe young beauties are pampered and preened in the Dior Spa, Ducasse oversees cuisine so good that the restaurant is consistently ranked among the world’s top ten restaurants.
The cuisine of Alain Ducasse
Caviar, truffles and Foie Gras abound, and with dishes costing an average of €120, this is most definitely a ‘destination restaurant’, not the kind you just pop into for a quick bite during a day of shoe shopping. Ducasse recently purchased Le Jules Vernes, the restaurant on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, and Plaza Athenée staff will be more than happy to refer surplus bookings from the hotel restaurant to Le Jules Verne; less of an inconvenience and more of a gift from God.
Plaza Athenée
25 Avenue Montaigne
Paris 75008
Tel: +33(0)153676665
Av. price per room per night: €800
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