Destinations Of Distinction
The Last Of Luxury
By Christie Hangey
(As Reported By Nancy & J. Walman)
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odern
life, full of its hustle and bustle, has left little in the way of comfort for its
harried participants. Gone are the days of affordable luxury. The Crystal
Champagne and caviar of yesteryear have given way to change, as First class air
travel has been devalued to little more than a larger seat. Few hotels still
offer the service and amenities of bygone days. And unless one’s wallet is fat
enough to support $300, $500, or more per person, haute-dining remains but a
dream. Service, it seems, has given way to the
The Breathtaking Lobby Of the Meurice
bottom line. Are we approaching the days when only the rich will be able to travel, using private jets, keeping apartments in the world’s major cities, and hosting a staff to fulfill their every desire? Relax. For the trip of a lifetime, mortgage the house, hock the family jewels and enjoy one of the world’s great cities in style while you still can. In a world of orange alerts, who has time to worry about tomorrow?
Where can one find this last bastion of style and taste? Paris, of course. The land of the Louvre and Montmatre stills plays host to some of life's little luxuries, available to even the humblest of travelers. And of course, if you've got the money to burn, you'll find that in this city, you can still have your heart's desire. However, standing between Paris and the rest is one transcontinental flight. We chose Continental, although choice of airline matters little. Business/First class on Continental yielded little more than “warmed-nuts", not smoked salmon, and the wine selection was shameful. Food was copious and pedestrian. The fully extendable sleeper seat, highly touted as an innovation by the airline, proved to be acceptable but was not necessarily a plus. In-flight service was excellent on the outbound flight (although performed in a routine and perfunctory manner on returning from the continent).
On arrival, it's time to ignore the trans-Atlantic survival flight, and make an entrance in style. For glamour, we endorse Paris Major Limousines. In business for the last fifteen years, the company boasts bilingual, trained drivers and a sizable fleet of Mercedes Benz cars, ranging from the E-class to the six-door luxury limousine. Bookings can be done on-line at http://www.paris-limousines.fr/ or via phone. A typical airport transfer from Charles De Gaulle to the center of the city costs from $134 ($165 in a Mercedes); from hotel to the railway station would be in the range of $62.
Moving onward from the airport, for accommodations we recommend the five-star Hôtel Meurice. Operating since 1771, the hotel has played host to some the world's finest dignitaries and celebrities. Finding favor amongst the British Elite in the 1800's, the hotel earned the nickname "City of London" due to its English-speaking staff, and has since seen guests such as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Robert DeNiro, Elizabeth Taylor, the Dukes of Windsor, and the ruler of Thailand. In 2000, the hotel reopened after a two-year renovation by current owners the Dorchester group, restoring the building to its original splendor as a classic symbol of French elegance.
The Meurice by Night
Upon entering the hotel, travelers are instantly greeted by the smell of roses, the gorgeous green and white marble floors, and the gleam of the lobby's gold leaf. Accommodations consist of the elegantly appointed Marco Polo Suite, or one of the other 159 rooms. Precious woods, rare silk, and Italian marble accent the décor, with a collection of antiques and art procured from Christie’s and Sotheby’s, continuously updated by the hotel.
The Remarkable Marco Polo Suite
Thankfully, only improvements have been made to this living monument of French history and class which would make the hotel’s founder, Charles-Augustin Meurice, proud. By maintaining the hotel’s elaborate floors, hand-carved moldings, cornices, columns, pilasters, and greyhound logo, they faithfully preserved the Meurice’s original architectural details and spirit as a splendid French palace. In keeping with the grand façade, the hotel is filled with a collection of exquisite antiques and art from Sotheby’s and Christie’s, which is continually replenished. With the help of the hotel’s exceptional staff, the Meurice’s reputation is assured as one of Europe’s most famous hotels. “The people on our staff are known for their exceptionally friendly, courteous service,” says General Manager Dominique Borri. “Now, with the technological advances made possible by the sweeping renovation, the staff is able to provide an even higher and more personal level of attentive, caring service.”
Amenities
Not All Baths are Created Equal
The first floor houses the two 18th Century Louis XVI influenced Presidential Suites. These spaces are furnished with one-of-a-kind masterpieces, parquet floors of aged woods and rugs and stunning views of the Tuileries Gardens and the inner courtyard. Nine rooms can be connected to form one private 5,380 square-foot apartment. Butler service is available upon request, and the rooms are soundproofed for ultimate privacy. The majority of the second and third floors are more streamlined, and well-suited to business travelers save the Castiglione wing of the third floor, which pays certain homage to Napoleon. The fourth and fifth floors are in a light expression of Louis XVI style, emphasizing floral motifs. The décor alludes to the Petit Trianon at Versailles as well as the Tuileries Gardens. The sixth-floor is a dormer floor, very intimate and distinctly Parisian in style. Of note on the 6th floor is the unique, triangular-shaped Marco Polo Suite from the Napoleonic period. Fabrics in very soft shades of blue drape from the ceiling to cover the walls; a wood parquet design covers the floor. The bathroom is open and spacious, with an antique-style bathtub and a magnificent floor of stone marquetry that combines Rose marble of Portugal and boxwood. The stunning seventh-floor, La Belle Etoile Suite, features a 360-degree view of Paris. The suite includes a foyer, sitting room, dressing area, gallery, white marbled bathroom, a round Jacuzzi bath tub, and a back office that can be used as a kitchen or butler’s quarters. All rooms feature the expected modern amenities such as a minibar, safety deposit box, television, phone and Internet, as well as nods to the palace’s history in the antique doorknobs and window knobs featuring the Meurice’s greyhound logo.
Espace Bien-Etre, the
hôtel’s Spa and Fitness Center located on the mezzanine, surrounds an inner
courtyard full of natural light and greenery.
The Spa features Caudalie treatments and products and specially trained
masseuses from Les Sources de Caudalie, the world’s first “vinotherapie”
spa. There are separate changing rooms for
men and women, each with sauna, steam bath, showers, and toilets.
Le Meurice, The Formal Restaurant
The Elegant Alain Ducasse Restaurant
Another option lies in the storied Le Grand Véfour. An institution since the 18th century, the restaurant is presently owned by Jean Taittinger, of the Taittinger Champagne family, and led by chef Guy Martin. Boasting
Le Grand Véfour
For those looking for a taste of the French everyday, or just looking to ease the strain on their wallet, taking a step back from the excess of the hotels may prove to be worthwhile. There are two notable options- classic brasseries with just the right flair.
Brasserie Flo
Julien was revived in 1975
Alas, all good things must come to end. Since luxury has its price, the above itinerary was completed in 2 days. Day one saw lunch at Restaurant Le Meurice, with dinner at Julien and dessert at Brasserie Flo. The second day lunch was had at Restaurant Plaza Athénée, with dinner at Le Grand Vefour. Like Eden, Paris is the land of comfort and splendor. But unlike the former, this is one jardin to which we can and will return.
Contributing Writers & Editors izumi tezuka, Robert Finton, Lucy Genero, Christie Hangey
Copyright 2003 by Punch In International® News Syndicate
www.punchin.com E-Mail: info@punchin.com
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