Milla’s Paris: Une nuit à l’hôtel Plaza Athénée
The fact that my husband, despite being a Parisian, had never been to the Plaza Athénée was somewhat disturbing to me and active measures had to be put in place to change that. So a few weeks ago we spent the night at this amazing hotel, which has rapidly become my favourite endroit in Paris. Located close to one of my favourite monuments and taking up residence of one of the chicest streets in Paris (and dangerously close to the Céline coat I’m lusting after), what’s not to love?
Stepping into our Louis XVI-style deluxe suite was a pleasant surprise. To be honest, the opulence of such style usually deters me, but here the designers have used soft natural tones paired with sensuous fabric to give a fresh, more accessible look. Louis XVI had great taste but he really should have consulted the design team at the Plaza Athénée. Is it just me or are the suites huge? And the beds too! Apartments in Paris are so small, so I’ve always considered myself lucky to live in a space of 60 square metres in the heart of the city. Well, that all changed when during my stay in the never-ending hotel suite! So much space and a walk-in wardrobe. So much room for shoes! Dear Husband, Wife needs a walk-in wardrobe STAT. Merci mon amour!
One of the highlights of my stay was lazing about sipping champagne, eating plums and reading Vanity Fair as the sun beamed in through the window. In my world of a never-ending to-do list, those few moments of relaxation in plush surroundings were pure bliss. Every few minutes I’d get up to look at la tour Eiffel, just to ensure she was still there! I seriously still get goosebumps when I see her. Oh Paris, je t’aime!
I figured our stay would be really nice. Wonderful even. Never did I imagine that the Plaza Athénée would kick Singapore’s Ritz Carlton (if you haven’t stayed here, you haven’t lived!) to second place on my favourite hotel list. I feel so blessed to have stayed at some of the top hotels in the world, and half a night in the God awful Hilton in Times Square (I checked out a few hours after I arrived…) and this was another one to add to the list. My husband is annoyingly blasé about interiors and anything luxury so imagine my surprise when I asked him if he liked the hotel: ”Who wouldn’t like this place? I’m speechless” – very happy indeed!
Pinpointing my favourite aspect of the hotel has proved rather difficult. I don’t care for self-important, pompous places, or people for that matter. I’m not interested in celebrities or trends and I particularly dislike hotels/shops/restaurants that pretend to care about me and my needs. If you’ve read this blog more than once or know me personally, you’ll know that I always recommend La Galeries des Gobelins for tea, but what is it about this particular hotel that appeals to me? I suppose it comes from the feeling of being able to just ‘be’. Nobody imposed upon us, was rude or overly nice/phony. It was all very natural, professional, calm and quite simply, nice. Plus, how amazing are those flowers? Florist, call me already!
The only downside was that I didn’t get to sleep in a Barbie room but given that I was with my husband, that would have been decidedly weird… The romance of staying here is continuous though I’d love to stay here with a friend/my sister for a girlie weekend of spa pampering, cake eating and talking about how beautiful the chandeliers are. Husbands have a limited tolerance for such things. As if our stay wasn’t delightful enough, breakfast was sublime but that’s another post for another day.
Do you have a favourite hotel? Where and why?
I felt a big mental honk at this sentence ” I’d love to stay here with a friend/my sister for a girlie weekend of spa pampering, cake eating and talking about how beautiful the chandeliers are”
So, now I have your attention! I would just love to stay there on NYE and watch the fireworks. Can you think of anything more amazing?
WOWSA Milla! Beautiful hotel. It’s refreshing when the staff are down to earth. What would a room like that cost for a night? Generally when we travel we stay in moderate hotels. For special events we stay in luxurious hotels. I hear you about the New York hotel, we’ve done that before.
Cupcake
xo
Breathtakingly beautiful Cupcake and location, location, lo-freakin-cation!! Suites start in 4-figures so this is all about the special occasion. What is great though, is that even if you’re not sleeping over, you can enjoy the bar/resto.
Lately, I’ve been asking myself why I prefer restos in hotels and so on, and I think it’s because of the quality and luxury extend to non-guests. Every part is beautiful because people are buying into an experience. I had going to a nice restaurant only to discover that the bathrooms are awful. You never get that in these high-end hotels.
xx
What a lovely hotel! The view was lovely (Le Tour Eiffel is my absolute favourite thing in Paris-the sparkling lights on the hour give me goosebumps!) and the room looked stunning as well. A walk-in wardrobe….every woman’s dream….Glad you had such a lovely night! Definitely on my consideration list for birthday afternoon tea!
I went there for tea again (on my blog posts to-do list…) and it was so hard to start eating my cake because it was so beautiful. Even if you decide to go somewhere else for Afternoon tea on your birthday, I would have to suggest stopping in here for a glass of champagne with your mother en route to/from the Eiffel Tower. The walk across the bridge is so nice. A must!
Such a nice place!
x
oh my god!
That’s it, I’m moving there! I can stay there and wash my own room and work in the kitchen, right?!!
I meant to write clean
I was too emotional after seeing the photos!
Lisa, I’d wash, clean and do whatever else is necessary to live there! Imagine the pain I felt checking out… My heart bleeds!
have you tried bribing them with biscotti? maybe they’ll allow you to live there forever!
Oh Mila it looks fabulous! I love the chandelier! and this part: “lazing about sipping champagne, eating plums and reading Vanity Fair” So decadent tha I’m green with loving envy over here!
XO
Sam
Decadence in Paris is the only way Samantha! The chandeliers are so pretty but sadly they wouldn’t fit in my handbag…
xx
Oh my goodness, this is so, so ….over the top, and why not!! I like this!! So now and then you have to indulge yourself with some luxury, whether it’s a beautiful coat!! ha, or one night in a hotel like this. Or in your case both!! Our last visit was in the Metropole in Brussels.
Have a nice evening Milla,
Audrey
I just looked at the Metropole and wow, lovely taste Audrey! The Foyer is so grand and what a good location. I think Brussels is underrated.
Have a good weekend!
M
wow that bedroom is breathtaking!
x
Isn’t it just! A real treat for us.
x
How wonderful it is to be staying in top hotels! Usually, I would choose cheap hotels and flights, and splurge on trying out food and shopping on cultural bags and accessories (if they catch my eye). I think I’m taking bargain hunting to a whole new level!
My favourite photo is the 6th one!
Unless I go to Asia, I rarely shop (other than original food/crafts from that country) because we have everything in Paris/London. Part of the holiday is where I stay, so I see it as an investment.
I am so beyond jealous at this point. What a wonderful night away from it all (just what I need now too!)…surrounded by all that understated luxury. Yes please. Luckily we have a vacation planned for the end of the month. I don’t want to do anything but sit in my beach chair and read trashy magazines!!
Don’t be jealous, you’ve been jet-setting around the globe! Where are you going on holiday? Oh I miss those moments of relaxation. Enjoy
The Plaza Athénée is like a dream Lani, a beautiful dream!
Oooooh sipping champagne, eating plums and reading Vanity Fair?! Vendu!
I’m glad you had a nice time. I’ve only had drinks there (Black mojitos!) and a day at the Dior Spa – one day, just one day I’ll be able to stay there. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy your experience.
How did you find the spa? Was it everything it seems? Dying to try!
Thanks for stopping by!
Oh mon Dieu, how romantic is that?! Are you sure you don’t want to stay in this hotel while your flat is renovated?
The thought had crossed my mind. Many times over…
This review is great. I usually prefer small, boutique hotels, but I absolutely understand the charm of this place.
Milla, I’ve just discovered your adorable blog thanks to Style Souk. I really liked your posts about FNO, being a devouted fan of anything created by Phoebe Philo..!
This is great..When we come to Paris I will be sure to check in with you about hotels. How fun
You’re visiting Paris? How wonderful! I can never decide when the best season to visit is, but I prefer the cooler months when everybody is at home and you almost feel as if Paris is just yours.
Oh wow that hotel looks so fabulous I would love to spend a night there. It sounds you had an amazing and romantic time… if you should get the florist’s details please send them over! Any place that invests in fresh flowers is a win in my book, this happens less and less, I find.
Magical. I am sure I am getting caught up in the romance of it all, but Paris does seem like such a seductive city
My favourite hotel? Hmm… The Brit in me wants to say Cliveden in Berkshire. The only thing that would have made it better was Mr Darcy arising from the lake
Fresh flowers make such a difference and instantly make you feel at home.
Cliveden looks wonderful! How long did you stay there?
x
wow, amazing rooms and view indeed! and you look so lovely sweets! looking forward to finally meeting up! xoxo
Thank you lovely! When you come to Paris, we’ll definitely have a glass of champagne here