If Cannes was a city we didn’t want to leave, Paris was the city we were eager to set off too! After living and celebrating every moment at the Cannes Film Festival this year, we were off to Paris for a short but truly remarkable visit. Every other time we’ve been to Paris, we’ve been extremely excited to visit the city because it’s one of our most favourite cities in the world. However, this time around, we were excited for our stay in Paris more than just being in Paris.
Now there are only a handful of such hotels in the world that elevate the joy of being in that city. And here we were in Paris, staying in one such world-class gem of a hotel: Le Bristol. The iconic hotel from the Oetker collection is located on the Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré—famous for its fashion boutiques and art galleries, and mere minutes away from the Champs-Elysées, Place de la Concorde and the Louvre. We reached Paris late in the evening and were welcome by the glimmer of the city lights and the impeccable hospitality of the staff at Le Bristol. From the very moment you step into Le Bristol, a world of unmatched beauty unfolds before your eyes. The grandeur of the entrance, adorned with exquisite floral arrangements and elegant décor, welcomes you into a hotel that is the epitome of timeless luxury. The lobby, with its soaring ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, and tasteful furnishings, exudes refined elegance. From the intricate artwork to the meticulously crafted furnishings that adorn the space, the attention to detail is impeccable. From the soft lighting in every nook and corner to the soothing melodies playing in the background, every element creates an ambiance of pure enchantment. Le Bristol is a haven of beauty, where every corner is meticulously designed to transport you to a world of sublime elegance and unparalleled sophistication. We walked into our suite which was one of the highly revered ones. One walking in, we realised why. Right in front of us was the Eiffel Tower—a sight that was besotting and captivating that we let out a sigh of marvel! Too tired from the journey and the Cannes-induced high, we decided to call it a day after unpacking and settling in.
The next morning, we woke up and decided to have breakfast at the hotel. The breakfast experience here holds the undeniable claim of being the crown for the finest morning indulgence in Paris. In no time, our table was adorned with platters of artfully cut and arranged fresh fruits, the most delicious bread basket, the humble yet fulfilling avocado toast bedded on the crispiest sourdough bread slice and topped off with a sprig of cilantro. Right next to our gastronomic delights were bottomless jars of fruit juices and a wide array of teas and coffee to kickstart our day. With a wholesome, picture-perfect breakfast laid out on the table and the sight of the Eiffel Tower from our balcony, it was probably the best breakfast experience, indeed. Post our morning meal, we dressed and set off for our business meetings at the other end of the city, which was a 40-minute drive from Le Bristol. But before that, we decided to explore some parts of the hotel. The hotel stands as a magnificent testament to its storied past that exudes grandeur. The overall aesthetic leans towards timeless classics, with tastefully done up elements that you’ll see throughout the hotel. From the luxurious red-carpeted lobbies to the elegant Louis XVI-inspired armchairs and captivating display cabinets showcasing treasures by esteemed Parisian jewellers, every detail echoes an glorious era. It is as if the hotel’s interiors invites guests to immerse themselves in a world of enduring elegance and refined allure. Needless to say, we clicked as many pictures as we could and clicked ourselves too against the beautiful backdrop of the hotel’s spectacular interiors.
The ride through the city was a scenic one which, at many moments, made us want to stop and just marvel at what we just passed by. Such is Paris! The remaining bit of the morning and the afternoon went by in the meeting and a quick snack here and there, not leaving us with much time for lunch. But once the meeting was over, we drove back and decided to make the most of the remaining day by taking a stroll around the city—something we always make time for when in Paris, no matter how busy a day we’ve had. We walked down the streets, soaking in the beauty of the city and reminiscing about some of the memories that we’d created the last time we were there. Soon after, we headed back to the hotel to have our dinner and then called it a day.
The next day, we decided to experience the hearty breakfast at the restaurant of the hotel. The wafting aroma of crusty baguettes, golden croissants, soft, fluffy brioches and melting pains au chocolat welcome you and put you in some sort of a food haven. Every pastry and every kind of bread served in the restaurant is handmade right here in the Le Bristol Paris bakery. It was pure delight! We ate like there’s no tomorrow and then took another stroll to explore the gardens of the hotel. At first sight, it could pass off as a green room with botanicals of every sort. Neatly trimmed bushes line up the internal length of the hotel and the grass is a velvety soft bed of green. We saw some beautiful blooms as well. We couldn’t have chosen a better time than that to appreciate the gardens and click a few pictures as we walked around! Soon after, we walked back to our room and got dressed for the remaining part for another meeting in the city. As soon as we were done with the meeting in the evening, we decided to go to one of the longest running stand-up shows in Paris called How to become a Parisian in one hour by Olivier Giraud. A one-man show—this one was hilarious, daring and rip-roaring! We were laughing till our stomachs hurt and couldn’t resist taking a picture with Giraud himself after the show. We couldn’t have ended our day two on a better note than this one!