Luxury Travel Guide

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    A Critics Guide to Paris

    30 August, 2017
    Whether you’re familiar with Paris as the "City of Lights” or the "City of Love”, it doesn’t really matter. Paris is one of those places best known for everything. Fashion, architecture, art, food, drink, day life, nightlife... If Paris were another person, you’d hate them. But do you hate Paris? Of course you don’t. It’s impossible.

    I don’t mind admitting that I have found Paris tricky though, in the past. I mean, I find it’s all very exciting until I get there - all I think of is the Champagne, the macaroons, the Louvre, the Eiffel tower, the romance, the food, the wine, the Champagne... but when I arrive, I’m always slightly overwhelmed and have to m'asseoir dans mon siege for a little while. That’s why I have developed a foolproof itinerary for every trip to Paris (that even my Paris-meltdown-brain can follow), which ensures I visit all of my favourite places there at least once. And luckily for you, I’m in a sharing mood.

    As soon as I arrive in Paris, I know I will always experience anxiety until I’m able to see the Eiffel Tower. It’s inevitable. I could enter Paris directly into the Louvre and I still wouldn’t believe I was truly in Paris until I’d caught a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. So, with that in mind, it’s always straight to La Bauhinia for me upon landing. Now, I know what you’re thinking - why wouldn’t I simply go straight and direct to the Eiffel Tower itself? But that’s an easy one: The Eiffel Tower can’t offer me beautifully presented grilled cuttlefish, and a cold glass of Tattinger. Plus, I can see it just fine from the comfort of my impeccably dressed table. La Bauhinia really is a must-visit in Paris - trust me on this one.

    Now, I don’t know about you, but usually when I’m done with lunch I start to jones for an afternoon cocktail. Next stop: The Plaza Athénée.

    Good music, contemporary exterior, sculpted glass and cool blue lighting; you’ll be hard pushed to find somewhere more stylish than Le Bar Du Plaza Athénée. Also, are these the best cocktails you’ll ever taste? Well, to be fair, that’s quite subjective; but I’m as sure as sure can be that you will not be disappointed. The Passion Martini is a great shout.

    Next it’s time to check-in to the hotel (we’ll come to this later) and get ready for dinner. Yes, ok? On my first day in Paris, basically I just like to eat and drink. But that’s fine. That’s completely fine. And don’t you let anyone tell you any differently.

    Once you’ve scrubbed up and have spent enough time in your fluffy robe to actually consider getting dressed, dinner is just a short romantic/epic stroll away through the City of Love/Lights to The Le Cinq Restaurant where if you order the green asparagus from the Lubéron region, and Carabinéros wild shrimp, you will experience the best starter of your life. It truly is a special place to dine – I’m always sure to make the most of my time there, and if that means having three courses, then so be it!

    After my first day in Paris, I’m usually about ready to nurse my food coma in a comfortable bed pretty soon post-dinner, so it’s back to the hotel. What hotel? The Mandarin Oriental, of course!

    Don’t get me wrong, j’adore the architecture in Paris, but for me, luxury is not real luxury without my modern comforts; and for that reason, a contemporary hotel is always first on my list. The best things about The Mandarin Oriental, Paris, are the beds. So large, and so very comfortable; this is a hotel where you can get a really good night’s sleep in style. And you’ll need it.

    Getting all of my favourite hotels and restaurants out the way in the one day means that I am free to wake up, fresh as a daisy, eat a delicious breakfast at the hotel, and stumble to the Louvre to begin my cultural education. The thing about Paris is that there’s so much to take in, so I like to set aside a whole day to wander around (by foot – it’s the best way), and stumble across hidden treasures. There are so many good restaurants in Paris, but I would also recommend getting a wealth of fresh produce from one of the City’s many markets and setting up camp for a picnic. Or going back to La Bauhinia because your mouth’s watering so much just thinking about your lunch the day before.

    If I’m lucky enough to stay a few nights, I will mix my stay up a bit and stay at The Hotel Plaza Athénée also. Not just so I can be close enough to the cocktails at Le Bar Du Plaza Athénée, but also because the hotel exudes luxury elegance. It truly is a decadent stay.

    And that concludes my basic Paris itinerary. I could go on, and probably will in the future. The thing about Paris is that there’s always something to discover, and I’m constantly on the look out to discover those things. The restaurants and hotels I’ve mentioned are just a few staples in my Parisian diet, but I know I’m drawn to them for a reason. If you haven’t checked them out, please do - I guarantee you’ll be more than pleasantly surprised.
     
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