Le Bristol Paris

In Paris's heart, Le Bristol is a hotel of exceptional grandeur and opulence and was the first to be granted Palace status. Even above 5-stars, this French rating puts it among the world’s most renowned hotels, synonymous with beauty and luxury. Now part of the Oetker global collection of Masterpiece hotels, it has remained one of the most stylish and desirable places to stay in Paris.

History

Situated in the elegant Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, the hotel had already achieved fame from a US post-presidential visit in 1877. In 1923 Hyppolite Jammet acquired the beautiful property with a vision to transform it into the world’s most magnificent hotel.

The Crazy Years

The 1920s was known as the Annees folle in Franceor the crazy years, a modern renaissance of art, literature, and haute couture. Café society flourished, and Paris became the jazz center of Europe, which attracted many musicians, artists, and celebrities worldwide. 

The Bristol opened in 1925 and rapidly developed into a magnet that drew this new global society to the 8th arrondissement. During the hiatus of World War 2, the hotel became a haven for American nationals in Paris and housed the US Embassy for several years.

Post-War Paris

Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore continued to gain importance as an area for foreign embassies and its closeness to the Elysee Presidential Palace. It also became increasingly fashionable as many famed Parisian couturiers opened grand fashion houses in the street. 

Designer boutiques followed suit, stretching along into Rue du Saint Honore, and Le Bristol was refurbished to fit the new fashionable flavor of the area. This upgrade continued to its current splendor after the hotel became part of the Oetker Collection in 1978.

Style 

Le Bristol is a modern luxury hotel with old-style grandeur. The Palace’s architectural beauty is echoed inside the majestic entrance hall and marble-floored galleries, sparkling chandeliers, plush banquette seating, and eye-pleasing floral arrangements. 

A gorgeous Parisian garden, magnificent top floor swimming pool, and a stunning view of Paris complete the picture. Classic French 18th century décor greets guests in every one of the sumptuous 190 rooms/suites where every creature comfort has been imagined and realized.

The Rooms

Four grades of rooms are offered: Superior, Deluxe, Deluxe with Garden View, and Prestige. All the rooms are designed with refined elegance using subtle colors, 18th-century style furniture, lush materials, and exquisitely patterned fine bed linen, cushions, and curtains. 

The well-appointed bathrooms feature marble-top vanity units, deep baths, and separate rain showers.  The rooms are extremely capacious, and some can be joined to make family accommodation. Spaciousness and natural light are the Superior room's particular features, while the Deluxe offers king-size beds and original artworks gracing the walls. 

The garden rooms have views of the hotel’s beautiful garden, and the Prestige adds more refinements in décor with historical references and sumptuous furnishings.

The Suites

These apartment-sized rooms are luxury taken to a higher level. The décor is luxuriant in every detail, from the exquisite fabrics and furnishings to the supremely comfortable beds, muted color tones, and deep ‘sink-into’ carpets. The bathrooms have old-style opulence with up-to-date comfort.

Suites are individually created by top design teams using the finest fabrics and furnishings and differ mainly in size, garden or city views, and accoutrements. Original works of art grace the subtly toned walls, and all bathrooms have deluxe features. The whole ambiance in every suite is one of soothing relaxation in lavish surroundings. 

Four-Star French Cuisine

The Palace status of Le Bristol demands a culinary king to command its kitchens. In the appointment of Chef Eric Frechon, the role was filled. Chef Frechon has created such a gastronomic excellence level that epicures visit Paris to dine in his Le Bristol restaurant, aptly named Epicure.

His signature dishes and classic French style cooking earned Michelin reviewers' praise, who awarded three stars to Epicure. Executive chef Frechon gained a fourth Michelin star for the hotel’s neighboring brasserie and was decorated for these achievements with the French Legion d’honneur. 

Dining in Style

The Epicure, overlooking the beautiful garden, is gorgeously pretty in pink with floral drapes, white table linen, and old-world charm. Dinner dress code applies here. The brasserie, 114 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, is a lighter, faster-paced eatery with smart modern décor serving French cuisine sourced from the finest local ingredients. 

Traditional tea is served in the attractive Café Antonia. Le Bar is a sensuous drinking and dining experience where plush seating and mood lighting create a sophisticated atmosphere. 

Meals to Remember

Breakfast is offered in the Café Antonia or the Epicure restaurant. The choices include Continental, American, Japanese, or an interesting, healthy option with berry fruit juices, muesli, tisanes, and egg white omelets. Bristol has its own flour mill to ensure the highest quality fresh bread each morning. 

Alternatively, all-day room service will provide specialty dishes and delicious pastries concocted by Chef Eric Frechon and pastry supremo Julien Alvarez. Meals are served in all the restaurants throughout the day to suit the dining needs of every guest. End your day at the Le Bar du Bristol. 

Health and Wellbeing

One of the most impressive features of the hotel is the architect-designed pool and glamorous sundeck. At the rooftop level, it commands imposing views of the Eiffel Tower and Sacre-Coeur Basilica. 

Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie is filled with natural sunlight and features an indoor courtyard garden, specialized massages, face and body treatments. The luxury treatment cabins include one designed especially for children. A fully-equipped fitness center is also available for guest use.

Hospitality

Guests at Le Bristol are greeted and cared for by reception and concierge staff, with every attention expected at a deluxe hotel. Special needs assistance, dietary requirements, babies, and young children are part of the hotel's quality service.

Takeaway

Chic, elegant, and discreet Le Bristol is the hotel of choice for many visiting diplomats and envoys and international celebrities and guests. Grand in style, it still offers the visitor a peaceful, luxurious, and stress-free stay in the fashionable heart of Paris.