Luxury Travel Advisor - June 2008 - (Page 9)

With enviable locations in the heart of the city, these three sophisticated hotels embody the French art de vivre. BY ANNE-SOPHIE GUÉRIN At Le Bristol (www.hotel-bristol. com), the palace hotel situated on the prestigious Faubourg Saint-Honoré, we sat down in the bar for Afternoon Tea. Surrounded by fashionistas and well-heeled business types, we concluded—as we nibbled on dainty salmon sandwiches, minicroque-monsieurs, a blossom of sliced cucumber wrapped around a dollop of cream, all served on signature Haviland porcelain—that this Tea is a must for your cosmopolitan clients. (Did we mention that the second tier of treasures included macaroons, lemon tarts sprinkled with gold leaf flakes, and pastries oozing chocolate ganache, all crafted with care at the on-site bakery?). Note: Twice a month on Saturday afternoons at “Fashion High Tea,” tea patrons are privy to a private fashion show. While models parade between the tables, guests can indulge in a dessert inspired by the designer’s collection. Insiders tell us that President Sarkozy himself stakes a claim on the sofa beneath the Marie Antoinette portrait. The Elysée Presidential Palace is just steps from Le Bristol, and the President of the Republic, a regular at the hotel’s bar and restaurant, recently awarded Chef Eric Frechon the Légion d’Honneur (to catch a glimpse of the event, see Sightings in Luxury Travel Advisor’s May 2008 issue). Holding two Michelin stars, Frechon uses the freshest seasonal products in creating innovative dishes. In the summer, guests can sample his heavenly haute cuisine in the garden, while the “Winter Dining Room”—the ovalshaped former theater with oak paneling, Baccarat chandeliers and painted ceiling—welcomes guests from October to April. Recommend a popular signature dish, like the stuffed macaroni with black truffle, artichoke-andduck foie gras gratinated with mature Parmesan cheese, or the famous chicken from the Bresse region cooked in a bladder with crayfish, a variety of meats and black truffles. On our visit, Le Bristol was completely full, and George Clooney and Renée Zellweger—in town to plug their new movie—rounded out the starstudded guest list. Named for the Count of Bristol (a British traveler known for his sybaritic pursuits), the illustrious hotel has attracted quite the crowd since its debut in the roaring ’20s. Prominent names in the guest book include Josephine Baker, Ava Gardner, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Grace Kelly, Charlie Chaplin, Orson Welles and Harry Truman. Managed by Pierre Ferchaud (dirgal@ lebristolparis.com; 011-33-1-5343-43-00), Le Bristol is owned by the Oetker family, who LE BRISTOL’s famed rooftop is a sought-after spot for Paris’s elite (opposite). LA MEURICE offers lovely views of the Eiffel Tower from its outdoor spaces (above). ADVISOR INSIGHT: Rita Ruth, a travel agent with New York’s Tzell Travel Group, has worked with high-end clients for 20 years. Her pick for top digs in Paris? “An ultra-luxurious stay in Paris means the Hotel de Crillon (www.crillon.com) for me,” Ruth says. “The rooms are most comfortable and the staff can’t do enough for you. The Executive Rooms in the Louis XV style give the feeling of old Paris, but the marble bathrooms with heated floors are heaven. The Bernstein Suite on the top floor has two terraces overlooking the Eiffel Tower—an amazing view of Paris.” Ruth also is a fan of the Crillon’s restaurant, Les Ambassadeurs, because of its Michelin-starred cuisine—a “classic French menu that always satisfies”—and its beautiful ambiance. She also suggests Restaurant Guy Savoy (www.guysavoy.com) “for gustatory adventure.” The chicken with morels is an absolute must, she says. Another great find is Deluxe Drivers (www.deluxedrivers.com). “They really know their way around Paris—Provence and the Riviera, too! Impeccable customer service and meticulous attention to detail make them a pleasure to work with, and my clients love them, too!” Ruth says. www.luxuryta.com June 2008 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 9 http://www.hotel-bristol.com http://www.hotel-bristol.com http://www.crillon.com http://www.guysavoy.com http://www.deluxedrivers.com http://www.luxuryta.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - June 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Paris Shanghai New York Takeover Hotels Townhouse Galleria Florida Spas BVI Bliss Athens, Greece Rainforest Excursions Nigel Page The Pulse Jetset Report Just Back On Location Sightings Agent Access Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - June 2008

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