Who's Going
Asian Business Elite, Luxury Weekenders, Design Lovers
Reason to Stay
Designer Interiors, Historic Building, Central Location
Hotel Type
Luxury Hotel
With new hotel locations in Vancouver and Hong Kong, Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts is on a building spree even expanding its already impressive presence in Asia with early-2012 openings in Singapore and Shanghai. But in Fall 2010 came a more rare hotel opening, the chain's first ever in Europe, with the Shangri-La Hotel Paris located within the former-palace of Roland Bonaparte, Napoleon's grandnephew. Striding the edge of the 16th Arrondissement with views of the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero, an 1896 Haussmann-style building has been meticulously restored by architect Richard Martinet.
A grand motor court leads to a humbling entry with exquisitely restored plaster detailing and checkerboard marble floors with dramatic spiral staircase of rod iron detailing that rises inside the center atrium of the building. Interiors by designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, whose work tends towards more towards modern opulence, equate to one of the most impeccably styled hotels to open in Paris in recent years (yes, we like it even more than Le Royal Monceau). The main dining room could still use a little work, called La Bauhinia, situated under a glass cupola designed by Maurice Gras with two-story layout that's so far lacking in chef prowess but makes up for it with easy access to ever-quaff Le Bar.
The Room
A selection of 54 guest rooms are defined by extravagantly high ceilings, hefty drapery and furnishings selected by French interior architect Pierre-Yves Rochon of such hotels as Four Seasons Florence and Le Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat. An opulent residential feel extends into a further 27 suites with city views that extend past the River Seine and Eiffel Tower enjoyed from a selection of small balconies or larger terraces. Large marble bathroom feature 5-fixture design but with Shangri-La toiletries that would be better swapped with something more Parisian like La Prairie or Hermes.
Preferred Room
Suite Panoramique
Special Features
Private Terraces, City Views, Upscale Interiors
Amenities
Restaurant, Lounge, Bar, Upscale Meeting Space
