Le Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris

Originally designed
by architect Louis Duhayon, who blended neo-classical, Haussmannian, and Art
Nouveau styles, the hotel opened in 1928 and soon became the place to stay in Paris -- the list of notable guests is
extensive. In 2008, however, the contents of the hotel were auctioned off and the
interiors were demolished and totally renovated under the direction of renowned
French designer, Philippe Starck. The hotel reopened in 2010; the facade remains unchanged, but interiors became a spectacular mixture of both sumptuous and sleek
design, coupled with innumerable pieces of artwork by a wide range of internationally
recognized artists. Around every corner is another interesting curio or unusual
artifact -- a letter from Jean Cocteau, for example -- while huge mirror panels reflect a dozen absurdly ornate
chandeliers dripping with crystals. The ambience is hushed and seriously
sophisticated, attracting a generous blend of celebrities and the super-rich, who
amble around accompanied by the Royal Monceau's signature fragrance that permeates
throughout the hotel. There's even a members-only cigar club, The Viñales Club, decorated with works of art and plush red Club chairs, and stocked with books. 

The hotel is located
on an attractive avenue in the swanky 8th arrondissement in northwest
Paris. The Place de l'Étoile, featuring
the Arc de Triomphe and the start of the Champs Élysées, is about a five-minute walk
away, as is the location of the Charles de Gaulle - Étoile transport hub that
connects to the whole of Paris and beyond. The iconic Eiffel Tower is an eight-minute cab journey (without traffic) from the hotel, while the center of Paris -- where the Louvre
and Notre-Dame Cathedral can be found -- is around a 12- to 15-minute drive.

The hotel has 149
rooms, most of which are decorated in a casual but luxurious style with hand-crafted
Philippe Starck-designed furniture, original art pieces, and abundant mirrored
paneling. Beds are topped with custom-made linens and goose down bedding, while
most rooms also extend to walk-in wardrobes. Tech is high-end but discreet --
the large, flat-screen HDTV is concealed behind a mirror and there are plenty of extras
available on request -- though some in-room features can be overly complicated or excessive for some guests (for example, toilets in some rooms open and close independently).
Bathrooms are spacious and marble-floored with walk-in showers and/or
free-standing claw-footed baths, while toiletries are Clarins brand. Suites
offer even greater scope and luxury of amenities, but every room provides an
acoustic guitar no matter the category.

In a hotel full of superlatives, it comes as little surprise that two of its restaurants -- La Cuisine and Il Carpaccio -- both have a Michelin star. In fact, Il Carpaccio is the only Michelin-star Italian restaurant in the city. The hotel's spa is also home to the city’s biggest indoor hotel pool, while a 99-seat state-of-the-art theater is Europe's most modern screening room. Art infuses the entire hotel: there's a permanent exhibition hall, art book shop, and dedicated art concierge. Le Bar Long is designed like an old-school Parisian salon with a striking assortment of chandeliers and lamps, while drinks can also be taken in the Terrace Garden, or enjoyed with a cigar in the super-exclusive Viñales Cigar Lounge. There is a somewhat small but luxurious (naturally) gym with warm wood floors and dark wood-paneled walls. A meeting room for up to 150 people can be divided up into various configurations or booked in its entirety. The hotel is known for its elaborate breakfasts, which include sweets by French pastry chef Pierre Hermes and fresh-squeezed juices.