Rates: €1150-€20,000 per night
Added extras: two restaurants, one of which has two Michelin star, and its luscious garden
Services: valet parking, spa, swimming pool and breakfast
One of the rare ‘palaces’ to reject Paris’s typical historical architecture, the Mandarin Oriental dares to innovate – and it succeeds. Surrounded by haute couture fashion houses and jewellers in the middle of rue Saint-Honoré, the Mandarin Oriental is inspired just as much by its surroundings at its Asian origins. Shades of grey, purple, mauve and ecru, sculptures and works of art by the likes of Nathalie Decoster, a ceiling decorated with golden leaves, a garden resembling a mini jungle-island: enter into this luxurious setting and you will be stunned.
More impressive still are the bedrooms; luxurious without being ostentatious, they are filled with silk embroidered cushions, ochre taffeta curtains, silks and pearls. The furniture has its own distinct, contemporary style, in dark, polished wood. The Royale Mandarin suite (€20 000 for one night) deserves its own special mention: 350 metres squared of pure elegance and comfort, complete with a gym space, large bathrooms with a Jacuzzi and a bath, and a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower.
Dining options include Camelia – a brasserie-style establishment for breakfast or confit lamb at 4pm (or even 11pm) – and Sur Mesure, Mandarin Oriental’s double-Michelin-starred jewel. Expect traditional Asian dishes with a modern twist, like the smoked beef or the soy risotto with black truffle. Then, enjoy an after-dinner tipple at Bar 8 – you cannot miss the striking central bar, a work of art in brown marble sculpted in Italy.
Relax and unwind in the vast, two-floor spa, equipped with a 14 metre squared swimming pool, seven spa suites, a shower/hammam and a private changing room. And if you prefer to stay dry, get comfortable on one of the terrace’s sofas. At Mandarin Oriental you are right in the heart of Paris, but also in the middle of nowhere.