VIBE

From its humble beginnings as a staging post for British travelers on their way across the channel, Le Meurice has grown into one of the grandest of the grand hotels in town. And while it may still be known colloquially as “the City of London” thanks to its steady stream of English-speaking guests, this hotel is nothing if not French. Gilded, chandeliered, Old Master-ed, and mirrored to the hilt, with haute cuisine on the tables (of the Michelin-starred variety), and haute couture on the walls (lately of the Starck variety), it’s a byword for Gallic-style lavish luxury. The formal, sumptuous surrounds have tempted the high society set the world over–everyone from Queen Victoria to the Sultan of Zanzibar to Tchaikovsky to Salvador Dalí has made this his (or her) Paris address. A recent “invisible transformation” by Philippe Starck buffed up some tarnished corners, meaning it’s now more of a resplendent hotspot for the royalty in-crowd than ever.

GO HERE WITH

Significant other; parents; friends; family; colleagues; yourself

WHY WE LIKE IT

Sumptuous hotels ready to cater to your every whim and dazzle you with their gilded grandeur may be a dime a dozen in this town, but Le Meurice stands out thanks to its handy location. While most other major luxury hotels are clustered around the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, this one is more centrally placed, just across from the Musée du Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries. (Don’t fret–there’s still tons of chichi shopping in the neighborhood, too: the fancy Rue Saint-Honoré is steps away).

AMENITY WE LOVE

The prix fixe lunch at Restaurant Le Meurice is one of the best haute cuisine deals in town–excellent food in an elegant atmosphere at a surprisingly affordable price. Also, the service is top notch.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

We tend to vote for a slightly more laidback vibe when selecting where to stay (the décor makes the hotel feel just a wee bit stuffy). But it’s all personal choice, and Le Meurice is an excellent selection for high-end elegance.

GOOD TO KNOW

Le Meurice is part of the Dorchester Collection, which includes many of our favorite hotels (the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, The Dorchester, and the Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris among them). There is a plethora of event facilities available, ranging from intimate salons to grand halls. If you’re hungry for more of this hotel’s crazy history, Picasso got married here, the Shah of Iran was dethroned while staying here, and Salvador Dalí used to pull stunts like sending the staff to catch flies for him in the Jardin des Tuileries.

CLOSEST COMPS

Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris (Paris); The Dorchester (London)

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