VIBE

You could be forgiven for thinking that a doyenne of the Paris hotel scene like the elegant Plaza Athénée would be a rather buttoned-up sort of establishment–the kind of place where diamond-encrusted society dames come to take tea. But while the graceful historic premises, with their creative mix of Art Deco and Louis XVI styles, are still as luxurious as ever (at ease, society dames!), a series of newly remodeled restaurants and bars (done by Starck protégé Patrick Jouin no less) have brought back the young-and-stylish set as well. Where, back in the day, Grace Kelly, Valentino, and Yves Saint Laurent got their drink on, now trendsetters like Mary Kate Olsen and Penelope Cruz lounge with fashionable cocktails or nibble on contemporary haute cuisine.

GO HERE WITH

Significant other - for fashionable romance; girlfriends - for taking in the lounge scene and nearby designer shopping; clients or colleagues; yourself

WHY WE LIKE IT

It doesn’t rest on its laurels as a historic luxury property (like many a fine establishment in this town is wont to do), but instead works hard to keep things fresh with fashion-forward lounges and dining, a superlative spa, and a coolly with-it (yet classically trained) concierge.

AMENITY WE LOVE

Impossible to choose: Le Bar du Plaza Athénée is stylishly chic with fantastic cocktails, the Dior Institut spa is a vision, and the Alain Ducasse restaurant (where the haute cuisine is to die for and the lavish breakfast pastry baskets are so well-stocked they come with their own printed guide!) wows.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The massages at the Dior Institut are okay, but not as fab as you might expect for such sky-high prices.

GOOD TO KNOW

If you want to have dinner at the exclusive Alain Ducasse restaurant, it’s not a bad idea to reserve a couple of weeks in advance. And if you’re a sensitive sleeper, check out the extensive menu of different pillows (including the temptingly named "beautifying pillow"). Le Bar du Plaza Athénée has "blue" and "red" hours, blue being chic cocktails from 6:00pm to 10:00pm and red being rock and electronic music from 10:00pm to 2:00am. The Hôtel Plaza Athénée is part of the Dorchester Collection, which includes some of our favorite hotels, like the Beverly Hills Hotel and The Dorchester in London. And one for the Sex in the City fans, this is where Carrie stayed when she flitted off to Paris.

CLOSEST COMPS

St. Regis (New York); Claridge’s (London); The Dorchester (London)

Read more about the Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris in The Diary

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