An Afternoon at the Palaces
Hi friends!
This week marks my last week of classes before final exams. It’s a surreal feeling to come near the end of my studies here in France but everything is far from over. I still have to submit my master thesis before the end of the year and complete an oral argument. On top of it all, I will begin a new chapter abroad as I transition from student to full-time professional.
Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of visiting two of Paris’ finest Palace hotels as part of my hospitality class. Palace is a special title awarded to exceptional five-star hotels by the French government. Mind you, being a five-star hotel alone is not enough to receive the Palace title; the hotel must also meet the highest of standards of service and experience at every avenue of the client journey. Since being luxury is not enough, many of the Palace hotels are located in historically lavish settings like in the case of Shangri-La Paris which used to be the former home of Prince Roland Bonaparte.
As part of my group’s set of tours, we visited The Peninsula and The InterContinental Paris - Le Grand.
Here are the highlights:
Famous for its skyline views and emerald green fleet of Rolls-Royces, The Peninsula Paris Hotel has a long history of hosting only the most elite guests.
Built in the early 19th century, the hotel offers a luxurious stay with a modern touch. Rooms are all updated with a state-of-the-art touchpad system which allows guests to do everything from ordering food to controling the temperature.
Freshly cut white roses, a beautiful porcelain tea, and a enticing chocolate bellman are just a few of the small details placed thoughtfully in each room.
By far, one of the best moments at The Peninsula Hotel was visiting the Rooftop Garden Suite. Complete with a private view of the Eiffel Tower, a wardrobe the size of my apartment, and perfectly manicured garden, the Rooftop Garden Suite is the most incredible hideaway for any lucky luxury client looking for the ultimate Parisian experience.
After our tour of The Peninsula Hotel, we visited The famous InterContinental Paris Hotel - Le Grand. Overlooking the famous Opera Garnier, The Grand InterContinental Hotel was originally built during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III as a destination for the rulers of the world to stay as well as famous celebrities and artists. At the bottom floor, the equally famous Café De La Paix welcomes tourists and Parisians alike to enjoy the finest traditions of French dining.
From presidents to kings, The Grand InterContinental Hotel is one of the most regal places in Paris to stay.
With its close proximity to the famous Opera Garnier, it’s only natural that The Grand InterContinental Hotel has one of the most beautiful ballrooms in Paris, maybe even in the world.
Renovated in 2014, the Opera Ballroom was restored to its former, magnificent glory where anyone with deep pockets can throw gala dinners, wedding receptions, or even an actual ball. I’ve seen many beautiful rooms since visiting Paris but nothing can match the pure magic that is the Opera Ballroom.
La Verrière, the more intimate restaurant next to Café De La Paix.
As we dashed from palace to palace, a delicate sprinkle of rain continued to fall throughout the day. Ordinarily, this would feel romantic especially in Paris but walking around in heels on the uneven streets of the city has its special challenges. Luckily, I managed to not get a single puddle on my perfectly pressed dress. Last week, I went back to Emmaüs where I thrifted a nearly good-as-new Batsheva dress with the most charming button details. Since it’s still a bit cold in Paris, I paired it with my wool Louis Vuitton sweater I also thrifted previously at Emmaüs.
The inspiration for my hotel visit look was what I imagine Audrey Hepburn or my great grandmother, who was one of the first Chinese movie stars, would wear to such an occasion.
Many thanks to Maxime Blot of Hospitality Insiders for the interactive lectures on the world of luxury hospitality and incredible insider tours of Paris’ finest Palaces.
Till next time, à bientôt!
Kiana