 |
France
The Experience
Made famous by both its legendary guests (like Salvador Dalí) and its prime location across from the Tuileries Gardens, this most classic of classic palace hotels effortlessly blends Old World ambience with New World service and amenities. Originally constructed in 1817, the Meurice has insisted on staying fresh, with a two-year overhaul ending in 2000. The result: a modern yet unpretentious hotel ready to accommodate both a younger, more stylish clientele and its more conventional fan base.
The RoomsArchitect John-Loup Robert let his imagination run wild during his Meurice redo, creating no less than 30 design schemes for the rooms, incorporating 170 fabric types, original Louis XVI antique furniture, rich tropical woods and creamy Italian marble. Standard rooms include a separate entrance and sitting area, as well as a marble bathroom with walk-in shower and baths. Suites are mostly similar in size -- about 700 square feet -- and vary by view; the iconic Tuileries, the bustling rue de Castiglioni or the rather less exciting inner courtyard. Five signature ultradeluxe suites create an unforgettable stay, from the East-meets-West Marco Polo suite to the grand penthouse Belle Etoile Suite, with its 3,000-square-feet terrace and 360-degree views of the entire city.
The ServiceAs befits a true "palace" hotel, service at the Meurice is executed with a sense of regal purpose. From laptops for business travelers and treasure hunts for the kids to specially designed meals for your pets, the hotel has seen -- and perfected -- it all. The hotel can even arrange for plane-side pickup for travelers wanting their Meurice experience to begin upon touchdown.
The HighlightsSince its grand reopening, the Meurice has received rave reviews for its richly designed Le Meurice dining room. Under painted blue-sky ceilings and marble-framed windows, chef Yannick Alléno has earned two Michelin stars, thanks to his modern Gallic menu with dishes such as ginger-topped John Dory served with green lentil stew and foie gras-enriched chicken breast with stuffed turnips and chanterelle mushrooms. Equally indulgent is the hotel's Spa Caudalie, a 3,000-square-feet space offering the entire range of wine-based body treatments made famous by Caudalie's Vinotherapie center in Bordeaux. Sip the kind of wine you've soaked in at splendid Bar Fontainebleau, where along with endless fine vintages, Italian bartender William Oliveri pours a perfect Bellini.
-- David Kaufman
