Hotel Snapshot
Hôtel Plaza Athénée is a diamond of Parisian hospitality nestled in the city’s haute couture jewelry box.
Epitomizing glamor and grace, the neighbor to Dior, Louis Vuitton and Chanel offers the kind of luxury experience that leaves nothing to be desired.
The property—yes, the one mentioned in Taylor Swift’s “Elizabeth Taylor”—boasts a stunning exterior and equally gorgeous interior with beauty and story in every corner. The hotel is characterized by a mix of classic Parisian and Art Deco style against a backdrop of the hotel’s trademark red touches.
Opened in 1913 on famed Avenue Montaigne, Charles Lefebvre designed the hotel. Later, the Plaza Athénée had an extension in the 1920s before the restaurant Le Relais Plaza was added in 1936. The hotel became a hotspot for the Paris fashion crowd in the 1940s when Christian Dior opened the doors to his boutique on the same street, according to the hotel. In 2001, the Plaza Athénée became part of the Dorchester Collection.
With such a storied past and elevated experiences at every turn, the hotel serves as something of a destination all on its own.
The Rooms
Home to 154 rooms and 54 suites, accommodations are pristine and carry plenty of charm.
The décor varies throughout the hotel. Many rooms are designed in a classic French style with a color palette meant to offer serenity and elegance while others have been designed to reflect Art Deco tastes via designers Bruno Moinard and Claire Bétaille.
The rooms meld practical comforts with splendor. Beds are plush and cloud-like, bathrooms are well-lit and beautiful and the hotel’s signature scent is present but not overwhelming.
A number of the rooms and suites are complete with wrought-iron balconies with views of the nearby Eiffel Tower, offering an iconic view.
Among the hotel’s dozens of suites are the hotel’s signature suites: the Art Deco L’Appartement with a private terrace and two Eiffel Suites which offer Eiffel Tower views. The Eiffel Suites’ designs are split: One features Art Deco flair and the other was designed with 18th century grandeur—and Parisian haute couture—in mind.
One suite stands above the rest, according to the hotel. The Royal Suite is 4,850 square feet with four bedrooms and four bathrooms, designed by Marie-José Pommereau. The room is filled with antiques, original artwork and is decorated in Parisian style.
Every corner of every room I experienced was picturesque.
Food & Drink
The property is home to multiple dining concepts.
The Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée is a Michelin-starred restaurant headed up, of course, by chef Jean Imbert. Dining at the restaurant is centered around a “Royal Table” with recipes that nod to France’s culinary history. Some offerings are crafted from recipes that are more than 250 years old. Desserts are crafted by Imbert and pastry chefs Elisabeth Hot and Angelo Musa.
Meanwhile, Le Relais Plaza, opened in 1936, is Imbert’s portrait of a classic Parisian brasserie. Le Relais Plaza offers sleek glamor, celebrity history and a wide-ranging menu that is sure to please.
And, La Cour Jardin is at the hotel’s center—literally and figuratively. There, the hotel hosts pop-ups and seasonal offerings such as a skating rink (that appeared in Emily in Paris) and al fresco dining in the courtyard.
Next, La Terrasse Montaigne, situated on Avenue Montaigne, offers another outdoor option suited for sipping while watching the world go by.
The hotel’s La Galerie, on the ground floor of the hotel, is open throughout the day with an all-day menu featuring an array of dining options. Pastry chef Angelo Musa also serves afternoon tea in the space. It’s the perfect place to catch up with a friend or loved one in a glamorous setting.
Finally, fashion-forward Le Bar offers a cocktail bar setting meant to reflect style and sophistication.
Across all dining locations, the Plaza Athénée has a smart casual dress code. Men are expected to wear a jacket while dining at Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée.
Breakfast is offered daily with an additional brunch offering on Sundays. In-room dining is available, too.
Amenities
The hotel offers an extra bed for a fee for guests over the age of 13 (free for under 13) and offers six accessible suites. Additionally, for daily fees, parking is available and the hotel allows for up to two small dogs. Airport transfers are also available upon request.
Spa & Wellness
The Dior Spa—which was the house’s first location in Europe—is reason enough to stay at Hôtel Plaza Athénée.
Located on the hotel’s lower level, the spa offers sublime luxury treatments, ranging from face and body treatments to light treatments. The menu is extensive with something for everyone.
Focused on “high definition,” “high technologies” and “high-precision,” the Dior Spa seeks to serve as “a haven of serenity and refinement,” according to its brochure, and it more than delivers. The space is immaculate, elevated and utterly chic. I didn’t want to leave.
The hotel is also home to a fitness studio open to hotel guests from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
While it’s tempting to immerse oneself in the hotel and stay put, it’s worth venturing into the surrounding high fashion area as many greats in the past have in the past, according to the hotel.
Just like Jackie Kennedy, Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner and Sophia Loren, you, too, can pop across the street to shop at Dior and neighboring stores. Galeries Lafayette area also nearby. I also would highly recommend a visit to La Galerie Dior, which offers the most exquisite exhibition of Christian Dior’s designs and history.
While my list of fashion recommendations could continue, it’s also worth noting that the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Palais Garnier, Petit Palais and L’Avenue are not far from the hotel.
I could go on—it’s fairly centrally located and would serve as a great home base while exploring Paris.
Fast Facts
Location: Paris, France
Rating: Five-star
Pricing: Starts at €890 (low season) and €1,180 (high season)
Amenities: Restaurants, bar, in-room dining, spa, fitness center, seasonal pop-ups including ice skating, extra bed, pets allowed.
Airport: Paris Orly Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport are both around a half hour from the hotel.
Paris, France
