Introduction Inside the Most Romantic Hotel in Paris
Is there anything unromantic about Paris, I wonder? However, nothing spoils a romantic retreat more than a subpar hotel stay. Let’s move on to Le Bristol: It’s little surprise that our voters named this circa 1925 beauty the City of Light’s best romantic retreat in the voters’ Choice Awards, given its tranquil pool, verdant garden, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The 190 post-renovation rooms and suites at Le Bristol provide a novel fusion of the classic and the contemporary: pastel bedspreads mix with Louis XV and Louis XVI furnishings, and the light from the tall windows highlights the delicate woodwork. There is a unique dining area within the Royal Suites where you and eleven of your closest friends—or just the two—can savor chef Eric Frechon’s delectable dishes.
The views of the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre make the sixth-floor indoor pool at Le Bristol feel even more like a hidden gem. Swim in the morning when the light is at its best or in the middle of the night when you can see the most well-known landmark in the world flashing. It’s good to know that there are still many opportunities for the two of you to explore this wonderful city together, even if you never leave the hotel.
Nothing is more beloved by us than exquisite hotel wallpaper. Almost completely covered in the material, several Le Bristol’s Saint-Honoré suites create a floral haven away from busy streets, packed cafes, and long museum queues. These apartments also provide two bathrooms and a double sink for your perusing pleasure.
As the name suggests, Le Bristol’s Panoramic Suite is all about the views. From the comfort of your bathrobe, you can enjoy some of the city’s most famous landmarks from the terrace, including the Palais Garnier opera theater and Montmartre’s Sacré Coeur. Renovated in 2014, the digs were furnished with grand Louis XV furniture and decorated in honey, ivory, and celadon green tones. In 2011, a short film called Midnight in Paris was filmed in the rooms. Have you heard of it, perhaps?
Le Bristol’s Deluxe rooms demonstrate that larger does not necessarily equate to better. These 485-square-foot jewel boxes, decorated with fabrics by designers like Pierre Frey, Miguel Canovas, and Brunschwig & Fils, and featuring views of the courtyard or the nearby rue du Faubourg-Saint Honoré, are a fantastic option if you and your partner want to spend more time exploring the city’s galleries and less time relaxing.
If the 3,230 square feet of living, sleeping, and dining space in the Royal Suite weren’t enough, the bathroom is a work of art in and of itself. The standalone tub, the ideal spot for a long soak following a treatment at the Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, is made of pale Carrara marble, as is the flooring. Additionally, there are two sinks and a separate shower for guests, which is the perfect remedy for romantic conflicts.
A three-Michelin-starred lunch at Epicure is the epitome of romance. At this recently refurbished temple of fine dining, chef Eric Frechon transforms even a straightforward weeknight meal into an exquisite, multi-course culinary experience. The macaroni filled with duck foie gras, artichokes, black truffle, and wild turbot pan-fried with pepper and smoked bacon are particularly noteworthy. You’re on vacation, huh?
Le Bristol’s Deluxe suites provide yet another perfect retreat for couples seeking leisure. They offer views of the hotel’s almost 13,000-square-foot French garden or its tranquil inner courtyard and French master paintings hanging from the walls. Before dining at the hotel’s Michelin-starred 114 Faubourg bistro, bring a book (or that stack of New Yorkers you haven’t opened yet) and relax in the suite’s designated sitting area.