Le Meurice

Situated in a grand, seven-story, 18th-century cream-colored building with rich green accents and an extravagant arched front walkway, the Le Meurice hotel has undergone many renovations and restorations in its 200-year history, which have helped to maintain its elegant, period-Parisian ambiance. The most recent 2007 renovation was completed by French designer Philippe Stark in an opulent Louis XVI style. The huge lobby offers the drama of a grand palace with marble floors and rich carpets, ornate architectural moldings, gilded accents, crystal chandeliers, and massive doorways. Period furniture is arranged in intimate sitting areas, as it might be in a mansion’s parlor. There are beautiful fauteuils armchairs, carved gilt tables, and unique pieces like a gold table with three human-shaped legs, all of which speak to the hotel’s proud history of serving artistic clientele. (Salvador Dali was a frequent guest.) From spiraling staircases with golden stair rods and carved wood banisters to sconce-lit hallways, no corner of the hotel has been left undecorated. Its location makes it ideal for tourists -- or anyone, really -- just as long as they can afford it.

Located in the popular 1st Arrondissement on the right bank of the Seine, Le Meurice hotel sits in the heart of Paris and is within walking distance of parks, museums, shops, restaurants, and an array of other attractions. Situated on the main road that runs parallel to the Tuileries Gardens, the hotel is flanked by two Parisian hotspots, the Place de la Concorde (a six-minute walk from the hotel) and the Louvre (a nine-minute walk). The Musée de l’Orangerie and Musée d’Orsay are also in easy walking distance. The nearest metro stop is only a two-minute walk from the hotel and guests can get to most other Paris attractions in 30 minutes or less. Parking is available at the hotel for a hefty extra fee. - One-minute walk to Tuileries Gardens

• Two-minute walk to Tuileries metro stop
• Six-minute walk to Place de la Concorde
• Eight-minute walk to Musée de l'Orangerie
• Nine-minute walk to Louvre Museum
• Ten-minute walk to Musée d’Orsay
• 20-minute walk to Champs-Élysées shopping area
• 20 minutes to Arc de Triomphe by metro
• 20 minutes to Notre Dame Cathedral by metro (30-minute walk)
• 30 minutes to Eiffel Tower by metro
• 30 minutes to Charles de Gaulle Airport by car

Rooms at Le Meurice are just as luxuriously decorated as the common areas, and while they range in size and style, they all feature a version of the hotel’s trademark Louis XVI decor: damask wallpaper, brocade and velvet fabrics, sconce lighting, floor-to-ceiling curtains, gilded frames, period furniture, and molded panel walls. Rooms are impeccably clean and spacious, especially for such a central Parisian hotel. Even the smallest Classic Room is 320-square-feet and features a queen-size bed, sitting area with two large period armchairs, and a desk. All rooms also include massive and luxurious Italian marble bathrooms with deep baths and separate wet-room style showers. Bathrooms come equipped with fluffy bathrobes, slippers, scales, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and high-end Penhaligon’s individual toiletries. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs (DVD players, Wiis, PlayStations, and Xboxes are available upon request), iPod radio alarm clocks, and free in-room Wi-Fi (though it’s not free in the common areas). Some rooms also have well-stocked minibars, but there are no in-room coffee- and tea-making facilities. Rooms face either the courtyard or Tuileries Gardens, and several rooms also have excellent views of the Eiffel Tower. Some rooms have balconies or even private terraces, and upper-tier rooms feature even more extras like freshly cut flowers and free bottles of wine.

Le Meurice is host to three eating/drinking establishments, one of which is a well-regarded restaurant that's been awarded three Michelin stars and serves seasonal Parisian cuisine amid opulent, dramatic decor inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Le Dalí is inspired by the artist’s work, and the ceiling is a massive painted canvas, while the room features unique Dali-esque accents. It serves seated meals and to-go food, such as sandwiches, burgers, and salads. The Bar 228 also strays from the Louis XVI theme, but is no less meticulously designed, with rich brown wood tables, carved wood accents, leather armchairs, and live jazz playing at night. Breakfast is available, and guests say it’s delicious, but it doesn’t come standard with the room rate and costs a hefty extra fee.The Spa Valmont is bright, modern, and stylishly minimalist. It offers massages and facial, body, and beauty treatments and also has a small outdoor terrace as well as a hair salon. The on-site fitness center is small and has only four cardio machines, three weight machines, and free weights. The hotel has three exquisite banquet rooms, which can be used in tandem to host up to 500 guests.Staff are extremely attentive and provide thoughtful extras, while housekeeping maintains impeccably clean premises. Guests say the concierge, who is available 24-hours, is extremely helpful and can help with reservations, museum tickets, and more. Extensive room service is available 24-hours. Laundry, dry cleaning, car rentals, and babysitting can be arranged, and shoeshine service is available for free. Children are well catered for with a host of special luxuries, such as a free treasure hunt with a gift at the end, access to wooden sailboats and other toys for use in the Tuileries Gardens, kid-sized bathrobes and slippers, and _The Little Prince _toiletries. Pet-friendly amenities include dog-sitting and pet menus. While Wi-Fi is available for free in guest rooms, it costs an ample extra fee in common areas.