Hotel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel

An 18th-century, Louis XV-commission facade commands one corner of Place de la Concorde and introduces Hotel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel. For more than a century, the property was the private home of Duc de Crillon and his heirs, before becoming a hotel in 1909. During its original, hundred-year run as a hotel, the property attracted royalty, heads of state, and other VIPs, like Charlie Chaplin, Leonard Bernstein, Sophia Loren, and Madonna. Peace conferences held in hotel's salons in 1919 eventually led to the formation of the League of Nations, and the hotel's American bar made an appearance in Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel, "The Sun Also Rises." By the 21st century, the Ancien Regime atmosphere was in need of updating, and in 2013, the Hotel de Crillon closed for a far-reaching, four-year renovation. (It reopened on July 5th, 2017.) Architect Richard Martinet oversaw the transformation, and four Parisian designers were assigned different interior areas; for example, Tristan Auer handled the reception, lobby, and brasserie. The late iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld lent his genius to two Place de la Concorde-facing suites, including "Choupette," named for his Instagram-famous Birman cat.
Overall, the look and feel of the hotel is that of a sumptuous, yet understated French palace. Staff uniforms, including wool suits with blue overcoats and gold pins, are designed by Paris-based Hugo Matha. The splendid, sedate lobby has a soft violet glow, with solid rose gold coffee tables, lavender and mauve seating, immaculately polished marble floors, and arching stone walls. Gold-and-crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling and breathtaking floral arrangements by Djordje Varda are displayed on marble tables and in alcoves. Every inch oozes with resplendence, yet there is an intimate feel unusual for such a grand hotel. There's no imposing front desk, rather a sit-down reception area off in one corner (in-room check-ins are also available). There are books, fresh flowers, and scented candles in the rooms and chess in the lobby. Guests consist primarily of well-heeled couples and business travelers from the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Facing the iconic Place de la Concorde and its Fontaine de Mers, Hotel de Crillon has a central 8th arrondissement location surrounded by many of Paris' top sites. Across the street are Jardins des Champs-Elysees and the Tuileries, the latter of which contains Jeu de Paume and Orangerie, and culminates in the Louvre, which is a 17-minute walk from the hotel. Musee Maxim's, a shrine to Art Nouveau art and decor, is a two-minute walk around the corner. The Roman temple-style La Madeleine is five minutes away and Place Vendome and its famous bas-relief column are 10 minutes away on foot. The square is home to luxury jewelers, like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, and the world-famous Ritz Paris. The nearby Rue de Rivoli and Rue Saint Honore contain luxury fashion houses such as Chanel, Valentino, Tom Ford, Hermes, and Fendi. Across the Seine are Musee d'Orsay (a 15-minute walk) and Les Invalides (an 18-minute walk). Charles de Gaulle Airport is generally an hour's drive or train ride from the hotel. Orly Airport is about a 35-minute drive. Getting between Hotel de Crillon and Orly Airport takes about 45 minutes by train or car.

Each one of Hotel de Crillon's 124 rooms and suites feels like a lavish Parisian apartment, rich with bronze, marble (dozens of types), crown moldings, custom furniture, and a collection of curated art, objects, antiques, and hardcover books. Many rooms have features like pocket doors, original woodwork, and parquet hardwood floors. Accommodations (which start at 340 square feet) are broken into Deluxe Rooms (eight), Premier Rooms (40), Grand Premier Rooms (33), Deluxe Suites (six), Premier Suites (22), Grand Premier Suites (five), and, at the top of the line, the 10 Signature Suites, all one of a kind. No matter the category, every room comes with private butler service.
All rooms come with flat-screen TVs with 100-plus channels, Bluetooth sound systems, dimmer lights, Nespresso machines, and mirrored minibars. Bathrooms are clad in gray marble and feature underfloor heating, separate walk-in showers and extra-deep soaking tubs, and TVs hidden in the mirrors. Hairdryers and bath amenities by Duly are provided. Beds are dressed in Rivolta Carmignani or Porthault linens and Drouault pillows and duvets.
The Signature Suites offer panoramic views of Paris and most have balconies or terraces. The Suite Louis XV has views of the Grand Palais and the Eiffel Tower. Suite Louis XV can be connected to the 2,500-square-foot Suite Bernstein, which has a six-person dining room and a 1,200-square-foot terrace overlooking Place de la Concorde. The Suite Marie-Antoinette (where, legend has it, the former queen took piano lessons before marrying Louis XVI) features both a private 150-square-foot terrace overlooking the courtyard and a 398-square-foot balcony overlooking Place de la Concorde, with views of the Beaux-Arts palace and the iconic tower. The two suites comprising Les Grands Appartments, created by late Paris-based designer Karl Lagerfeld, offer similarly spectacular views.
Housekeeping and turndown service are provided every day and night. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms.

Hotel de Crillon has an impressive number of food and drink outlets for a Paris hotel. Decorated in moody amethyst tones, Murano glass sconces, and smoky mirrors, the fine-dining L’Ecrin serves haute French cuisine, like duck foie gras with black truffle and veal chop for two. The intimate restaurant (there are just 24 seats) is open for lunch Thursdays and Fridays and dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays. A private subterranean wine cellar, La Cave, can be rented for special events and food-and-wine pairing dinners (the hotel has over 40,000 bottles).
Brasserie d'Aumont is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. A classic French brasserie, d'Aumont serves fare like smoked salmon, roasted pollack and hand-cut beef tartare, plus caviar and oysters from the raw bar, Unlike L'Ecrin, which is in the interior of the hotel, Brasserie d'Aumont has access to the side street. Additionally, it is connected to the hotel's courtyard, where guests opt for _en plein air _dining. The courtyard can be reserved for private events, and it often hosts summertime events like movie nights and World Cup games.
Popular with guests and locals alike, the 60-seat Les Ambassadeurs Bar on Place de la Concorde features sumptuous Old World decor, including a hand-painted (and landmarked) ceiling. Cocktails, champagnes, and caviar are on the menu, and live music is performed nightly (piano music on weeknights and DJ sets on the weekends).
Jardin d’Hiver is Hotel de Crillon's all-day lounge, famous for tea time. Additionally, guests can have light lunch (soup, Croque Madame) and Coutume Cafe coffee. A handmade Baccarat crystal and bronze liquor dispenser in the shape of an elephant -- presented on the 1878 World's Fair in Paris -- is on display. Sweets by Pastry Chef Pablo Gicquel’ are available at Le Boudoir, the hotel's takeaway pastry boutique. L’Etincelle, a cigar club for men, is open 24 hours. Room service is available 24 hours a day.
The crowning glory of Sense, A Rosewood Spa is its incredible Art Deco-style lap pool, hand-laid in nearly 18,000 gold mosaic tiles. Overhead, a skylight peeking into the courtyard above provides natural light, while walls by ceramicist Peter Lane provide even more visual texture. The spa has three solo treatment cabins and one couple's suite, as well as a 24-hour fitness center, a David Lucas hair salon (services include full color), and a Barber by La Barbiere de Paris men's grooming studio. However there is no steam room or sauna, odd for this caliber of hotel. The pool and fitness center are available to guests only, and do not require spa appointments to access.  Facial treatments use EviDenS de Beaute and body treatments use ones by Maison Caulieres, and all sessions begin with a light fanning, using perfumed, silk and pearwood fans by Paris-based heritage brand Duvelleroy.
Three historic salons are available for weddings, dinners, seminars, and other private functions. These spaces include Salon Marie-Antoinette (which can hold up to 60 people), Salon des Aigles (up to 220), and Salon des Batailles (up to 60). All venues overlook Place de la Concorde, and Salon Marie-Antoinette features a private terrace.
Traditional French shoe-shining and restoration are available Shoecare by Devoirdecourt; the facility will also restore handbags and any other leather item. The hotel has a 24-hour business center and offers unpacking/packing service and one-hour pressings. Concierge are Clefs d’Or trained and available around the clock, as are the personal butlers assigned to every room. Private airport transfers can be arranged (one-way transport is included in some room types), and valet parking and free car service are available. Wi-Fi is free throughout Hotel de Crillon.