Give us the lowdown on this place: What kind of a treat are we in for?
Don't let the aura of sedate elegance fool you: there's always been a playfulness at the heart of this grande dame. Opened in 1913, with its signature red awnings facing the stately Avenue Montaigne, the Plaza Athénée has long had ties to the fashion world, from the days when Christian Dior named collections after the hotel, to its appearance in fashion-themed favorites like Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada. Decor-wise, that translates to classic, chandelier-heavy public spaces that give way to contemporary flashes, like the futuristic, chrome-covered banquettes of an Alain Ducasse restaurant, and the blue fabric-covered ceiling of Le Bar.
It all sounds incredibly elegant. Who might we see in the lobby?
Fashion editors and design house execs mingling with long-stay Middle Eastern families, and locals popping in for a drink or meal.
Excellent. Now, onto the good stuff: Tell us about the digs.
Whether your room is done in classic French or Art Deco style, you'll find comfortably elegant furnishings, including silk-covered armchairs and cushy beds topped with high-end linens and your choices from the pillow menu. Some rooms have views of a quiet courtyard; others the tree-lined avenue or, in some suites, city landmarks. The six signature suites are all drama, with splashes of vivid color, and perks like terraces, pianos, wine cellars, or—in the Haute Couture Suite—a door-sized silver picture frame outlining a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower.
Ooh, that's fun! How about the little things, like the mini bar, or shower goodies? What made your stay more comfortable?
Touches like upscale snacks in the mini-bar, in-room iPads, flatscreens and embroidered Beltrami linens make it easy to linger. When you do venture out, make use of the John Lobb shoeshine service, or if you've got kids in tow ask the concierge team their family-friendly itinerary suggestions (which, depending on the time of year, might include the hotel’s Easter egg hunt or onsite ice skating rink).
We absolutely will. And, please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down?
In the marble bathrooms, you'll find Guerlain products, both showers and soaking tubs, and super-soft towels living on heated racks.
One of our favorite features. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?
The Wi-Fi is complimentary.
Perfect. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?
Guests of all room categories enjoy packing and unpacking services from the house butlers.
Great. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.
As a nod to the hotel's relationship with the House of Dior, the in-house Dior Institute spa (the place for results-driven facials) is the first of its kind in Paris. On the food front, the five in-house dining options are led by chef Jean Imbert, and they range from upscale Le Relais Plaza brasserie, done up in Art Deco style, to the legendary Le Bar, with its resident DJs and electric blue color scheme. The small gym is staffed by a personal trainer.
That spa sounds like magic. (The restaurants sound pretty great, too.) So, bottom line: What's the reason for staying here?
Live the glam life in a hotel awash in Paris' fashionable history.
25 Av. Montaigne, Paris
France
https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/paris/hotel-plaza-athenee/