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Hotel Napoleon
40 Avenue de Friedland
If you’re searching for a hotel that is a hidden gem, the Napoleon is the place for you. It is just off the Champs Elysées, close to Arc de Triomphe, near the Lido, with the Louvre, the Congress & Exhibition Center and the Eiffel Tower all a short taxi ride away.
The General Manager, Ludovic Corpechot, always makes you feel welcomed. He is so charming it’s like you’ve entered your second home. Located at 40, avenue de Friedland, 75008 Paris, napoleon@hotelnapoleonparis.com, offers quiet beauty all within sight of Paris’ most cherished landmarks.
The legendary Hotel Napoleon has a four star rating with its 102 rooms and 12 apartments, its Napoleon and Josephine and Errol Flynn Suites. It stands discreetly on a tree-lined quiet street, where some of its rooms offer a balcony or terrace that lets you view its famous sights without the noise and stress.
It’s rich in history and still has kept in step with the latest. The Hotel and meeting rooms are filled with Napleonic influence, the furniture, décor, and art memorabilia, yet are still up-to-the minute with the latest facilities. It is equipped with the new LCD, TV with digital quality, and also Video On Demand with DVD. Also, there is access to Internet and more than 5000 songs from your TV screen.
You can read about the movie legends who have lived at the Napoleon, the films that have been made here, and yet the seclusion that Orson Welles, Josephine Baker, Errol Flynn and Jean Gabin have enjoyed at the hotel was not diminished by time.
Long ago a wealthy merchant fell in love with a young art student. It was love at first sight, and as a wedding gift, the merchant offered his new wife the Hotel Napoleon to complete her studies. They lived for many, many years, and to this very day the Hotel Napoleon has remained the property of this same family.
Today, remodeled and shiny at its loveliest, the Napoleon welcomes each guest in imperial charm and distinct luxury.
Plaza Athénée Hotel
25 Avenue Montaigne, Paris, France
The Plaza Athénée has the legendary history of a champion. It first debuted in Paris in all its lavish splendor in 1911, the same time the Theatre des Champs Elysées opened its doors. The prominent composers and performers of the day instantly became its patrons. As the years past, it became a second home to Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy and the Ford Family, among decades of famous names.
"Three years ago we made a decision," Francois Delahaye general manager told me. "We didn't wish to look like the other hotel's of Paris we wanted to be different. All I had to do was study the fashion houses nearby. For example, Dior's hiring of Jean Gaulliano or Hermes bringing in Jean Paul Gauthier to design clothes for today's youth-minded spoke of a change. People are becoming more casual. Passengers getting off the Concorde are wearing informal clothing, or many men attending the theater aren't wearing ties. All of which gave us a clue.
"We wanted to bring in the modern, while maintaining our heritage with the past. Three years ago we began the complete refurbishment of the Plaza Athénée . We combined traditional classic style with the most modern technology, which increased its legendary reputation as one of the great hotels of the world."
Francois Delahaye had his friend, famed restaurateur Alain Ducasse
join him. Ducasse now oversees the restaurants of the hotel, including his own award-winning Restaurant Plaza Athénée. Here he serves food to talk about. The slip covers are removed from where breakfast is served, the staff is different, and the menu is one of a kind.
During the summer, La Cour Jardin magically appears with its distinctive red parasols and colorful foliage. Seasonal and Mediterranean dishes are serviced. Tea and chocolate lovers find La Galerie des Gobelins for afternoon tea and goodies. Of course, the bar is new and the place to be
seen.
The Relais Plaza has been restored to its original Art Deco décor, a style has been famous since 1936. This chic bistro has returned to its former grandeur. Parisian executives, theatergoers, fashionists and literary figures can always be seen dining there.
"The hotel has everything, including a fitness facility with a view of the Eiffel Tower! Is there any reason why my family and I shouldn't live here?" says general manager Delahaye. "The Plaza Athénée is exceptional, it's a place where dreams do come true!"
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme
5 Rue de la Paix
The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme is one of the most exciting hotels in the long line of Hyatt Hotels. It's one of the lovely Park Hyatts, created to be head and shoulders above the usual and commonplace.
The Hyatt already has two other hotels in Paris, but this one is the newest and makes its own statement. It is a shining example of modern and contemporary decor. Located at 5 Rue de la Paix, it is literally in the heart of the city.
You can stroll from Plaza de la Concorde, the Louvre Museum, the Opera, the Champs Elysées, to the shops of exclusive Faubourg St. Honoré. One thing I might add, be careful to keep the hotel's address in mind. It blends in so skillfully that you can easily go right past it, expecially if you are in a car, and wind up in the Place Vendôme.
The Place Vendôme has a rich history, even today it has a copy of the
original statue of Napoleon, dressed as a Roman Emperor, standing at the top of the landmark column. It is just a quick step from the hotel.
Michel Jauslin, Vice President of Hyatt European Hotels in
Southwestern Europe and Africa and Director General of the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, reminds, "Most of the hotels in Paris were built last century. The Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme has a new approach. Its signage is most discreet. It offers something new—a more modern contemporary look."It was a thrilling adventure to watch it become a reality. Five different buildings were transformed into one handsome structure. Open the door and you are greeted in the foyer by a huge bronze sculpture, 'Le Grand Couple en Marche,' by Roseline Granet.
"The interior designer was Ed Tuttle," said Jauslin. Tuttle had Granet,
who is known as the Rodin of our century, also do the door handles, lamps, windows, etc., throughout the hotel. The modern paintings were selected or commissioned by Ed Tuttle and gallerist Darthea Speyer. Ed Paschke did the four modern paintings in the bar. Christine Durand also did the artwork. All were designed especially for the hotel."
It was such a lovely day that we had lunch on the terrace. "If you like this," Managing Director Dennis Courtiere told me, "you should have dinner at the restaurant Le Park." I said yes, and he made the reservation for the next evening.
"You'll find this whole hotel, the dining room included, is like a private residence," he said. It didn't take me long to realize what Russell Crowe, and later Madonna, were talking about. Chef of the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme restaurant is tall, dark haired and handsome Christophe David. He has trained and been a chef at so many places, his passport looks like a map of the world. His menu goes from tender lamb, to small lobsters, to the freshest fish.
"We do everything in the restaurant, even bake bread (including
olive), make the rolls, and of course, our pastry chef creates fantastic
desserts. I change the menu constantly at the restaurant Le Park, and often surprise guests with a special from Spain, or Morocco or the United States."
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