Parisian Hotels that make you feel like Marie-Antoinette

According to Business Insider, in 2015, Paris is considered the 6th most expensive city to visit for tourists. There are still bargains to be had, however when I travel to certain cities, I do like to pamper myself and indulge in La Belle Vie. I do this by staying at a luxury hotel if I can and being part of the Hospitality industry, there are some perks I am able to enjoy. In Paris, I wanted to feel like Marie-Antoinette and decided to stay at The Peninsula Paris and Le Royal Monceau.

The Peninsula Paris

As an associate of the world-renowned hotel brand, The Peninsula Hotels, I was excited to be a guest at their newly opened 10th property in France, The Peninsula Paris.

Peninsula Paris is located on Avenue Kleber in the 16th Arrondissement, on the western side of the Arc de Triomphe. This late 19th century Haussmannian building was actually The Hotel Majestic, considered one of the original "Grande Dame" of Paris, opening its doors in 1908. Throughout history, this hotel was occupied by famous members of Royalty, authors, artists and musicians. In 1936, the French government bought the hotel and during World War II, Hotel Majestic was occupied by the German Nazis. Later in 1946, 19 Avenue Kleber (the location) was selected as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Headquarters (UNESCO). It is also here that the Vietnamese Peace agreement was signed on January 27, 1973. In 2009, The Hong Kong Shanghai Hotels Ltd. in partnership with Katara Hospitality of Qatar entered into an agreement to create a Peninsula Hotel after the French government sold the building. Meticulously restored and modernized with the conveniences of the 21st century, The Peninsula Paris opened its door on August 1, 2014.

At the entrance of The Peninsula Paris on Avenue Kleber are a pair of protective stone Chinese Lions, a Peninsula Hotels Chinese Heritage tradition to protect the premises from evil spirits. You will find all ten Peninsula Hotels throughout the world has these lions posted at their entrances.

The lobby is exquisitely grand with an installation of glass "dancing" leaves descending from its ceiling. Through the corridors and throughout the hotel, there are ginormous urns of floral arrangements which only adds touches of elegance and regal ambiance.

My Deluxe room was delicately furnished with many luxury touches: a separate walk-in dressing area with shoe valet and nail dryer, a marble bathroom with a heated floor, separate rain shower, inset television and stereo system above the bathtub, and an inset television in the bedroom area.

My room also featured a terrace which was so exquisitely Parisian, offering me views of Avenue Kleber and the surrounding buildings.

Peninsula Paris boasts an 1,800 square meter Spa featuring the Deluxe skincare line, Biologique Recherche. There is also an indoor pool, steam rooms and sauna.

Probably the hotel's best spotlight is L'Oiseau Blanc restaurant, located on the sixth floor on the roof offering stunning panoramic views over Paris including the Eiffel Tower. L'Oiseau Blanc (white bird in French) was named after the French bi-plane that disappeared in 1921 during an attempt to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight from Paris to New York. This attempt was made before the famous flight of Charles Lindbergh. The disappearance of L'Oiseau Blanc is considered one of the great mysteries of Aviation history. There is a replica of this plane perched outside the roof top restaurant.

Room Rates start at 795 Euros - 1,795 Euros

Suite Rates start from 2,090 Euros

Location: 19 Avenue Kleber

75116 Paris

France

Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris

Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris located on stylish Avenue Hoche in the 8th Arrondissement, was designed by Philippe Starck. He is the famed French Interior designer known for his wide range of industrial designs. Le Royal Monceau is part of the Raffles hotel brand and this recently renovated 149-room hotel is only a 9 minute walk away from Arc de Triomphe and Le Avenue des Champs Elysees. As a luxury hotel, Le Royal Monceau tends to be described as a bold and artsy hotel. Some may even describe it as sexy.

As you enter the hotel, the Grand staircase in the lobby is spectacular to behold with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling by white fabric. The guestroom floor hallways are dark and striped with Starck's distinctive style.

My stay included an unexpected upgrade to The Signature Suite featuring a grand separate living room designed with fine woodwork and mirrors. The suite exhibited Starck's designs through its furniture and artwork. The bathroom was entirely mirrored with a walk-in rain shower and free standing bath befitting a queen. The walk-in closet was also entirely in glass and in the bedroom, the television was concealed behind a mirror. The Signature Suite's best feature was the three terraces overlooking the inner courtyard. This suite was on the finest I had the privilege of experiencing.

Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris Spa - the first spa My blend by Clarins was voted "Best City Spa 2015" in Europe by SENSES. It is about 1,500 square meters and features a 23 meter pool. As a hotel centers on art, it also features a 99 seat luxury cinema, an exhibition area for contemporary art and an art bookstore.

There are several dining options including the 1 Michelin star Italian restaurant, Il Carpaccio and the most recent restaurant by world renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa who partnered with Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris to introduce the first Matsuhisa restaurant in France.