The Peninsula Paris

The Peninsula Paris hotel is housed in a palatial 19th-century Haussmannian building that has reopened in 2014 after a four-year,
multi-million dollar renovation. Once the Hotel Majestic, the historic property
attracted such renowned guests as Proust, Picasso, James Joyce, and George
Gershwin (who wrote “An American in Paris” at the hotel). Its long history
also involved serving as headquarters for UNESCO, housing the Nazi military
command, and being host to the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. Now a 200-room
luxury hotel that ranks among Paris' very best, the Peninsula attracts a well-heeled clientele who are doted upon by the 600 staff members. Guests are greeted with an opulent experience as
soon as they step into the white and gold lobby, where gleaming marble floors
are complemented by sleek black front desks, high ceilings are festooned with
decorative molding, and an ethereal, sculptural chandelier of 800 hand-blown crystal leaves
is suspended from the ceiling, like a gossamer snowflurry dangling at the center of the glossy room. Though delivering serious wow factor, the space is a bit stark and lacks seating, causing some guests to find it imposing rather than inviting.The lobby restaurant is a decadent space doused in gold leaf
details and trimming, glass chandeliers, and soaring, intricately molded
ceilings. Fresh flowers top each white tablecloth and huge windows
overlook the Kleber Terrace outside, where a futuristic steel and glass canopy
extends over the outdoor tables (and adds a dose of modernity to the facade). The Kleber Bar has oak wood paneling with meticulous,
decorative gold leaf detailing as well as lovely damask wallpaper in beige hues
and leather seating. Elsewhere, LiLi
(serving Cantonese cuisine) pays tribute to Chinese opera with a dark interior full of
carved wood and plush red curtains. The rooftop L’Oiseau Blanc restaurant
is named after the biplane that vanished while attempting the first Paris to
New York flight and features aviation-themed details such as cloud prints on
plates, a restored aircraft engine, and a replica of the plane; the panoramic windows overlook Parisian rooftops and the Eiffel
Tower.

The Peninsula Paris is located in the 16tharrondissement on the tree-lined Avenue Kleber, within walking distance to
several sights and many shops and restaurants. The Arc de Triomphe is a short
walk down the street and the famous Champs-Elysees, lined with restaurants, cafes, flagship stores, and boutiques, can be reached in five minutes on foot. The Avenue Montaigne, similarly lined with high-end designer shops, is a 15-minute stroll from the hotel. The Kleber
metro station is right down the street. The hotel also has a fleet of luxury chauffeured cars (including two Rolls Royces) available for transport.

The 200 elegant rooms mix
classic, chic decor with the latest in high-tech gadgets and gizmos. They are among the largest in Paris, and are clad in neutral tones of grays and creams
that are paired with dark lacquered wood details and furnishings. Huge leather Art
Deco headboards frame plush beds decked out in sumptuous linens. Almost everything
is tablet-operated (tablets are programmed in 11 languages), from heating, lighting, and
blinds, to requesting room cleaning or calling the valet; it's a neat
feature for some, but might strike some as overly complicated. Tablets also
include hotel info, restaurant menus, and a city guide. Touch-screen wall
panels allow guests to operate many features as well, including the 3D
flat-screen TV with free HD movies. The iPod/iPad docking stations and dual voltage power sockets with universal adaptors are also handy. It's the little things that help elevate the rooms from luxurious to uber-luxurious: the Nespresso machines, minibars stocked with free
soft drinks, phones with free long-distance calling, and vases of roses. The spacious marble bathrooms are equipped with a slew of luxurious details, including Japanese toilets, spa tubs, rainfall showers, inset TVs and radio systems, heated floors, and designer toiletries by Oscar de la Renta.The apartment-like rooms have sitting areas, work desks with
a laser printer/scanner/fax/photocopier, and large walk-in dressing rooms that
include a vanity table with built-in nail dryer. The 34 luxurious suites come with
additional perks such as daily breakfast, dinner at LiLi restaurant, and chauffeured car service, and five units have their own rooftop gardens. 

The Peninsula Paris has several pricey dining and drinking
venues, including LiLi restaurant serving Cantonese cuisine, the rooftop
L’Oiseau Blanc restaurant, bar, and terrace with beautiful panoramic views over
the city that serves traditional French meals, as well as the opulent Lobbyrestaurant and Kleber Bar. The Kleber Terrace offers outdoor seating beneath a
glass and steel canopy, while the Kleber Lounge is an intimate space where
guests can indulge in a drink or cigar.The hotel has a luxurious underground full-service spa with
eight treatment rooms, two whirlpools, and a relaxing, Zen-like pool with
waterfall wall. Two fitness rooms, though a bit small and lacking windows, are
equipped with modern machines and equipment and offer a selection of free
snacks including fruit, nuts, and bottled water.The hotel has a fleet of chauffeured BMWs, Mini Coopers, and
vintage Rolls-Royces in signature “Peninsula green” for airport transfers and
transport around town. Other amenities include free long-distance calls in all
rooms and Wi-Fi throughout.