Paris doesn't do subtle. Modesty goes out the window in a city known for names such as Four Seasons George V, Louis Vuitton and chef Pierre Gagnaire. Paris is synonymous with opulence and indulgence, where one Hermes bag is to be outdone by another.
It's hard to impress the most well-heeled of Paris aficionados, which is why a stay at the Shangri-La in Paris will make even the most jaded Francophiles blush into their Champagne and whisper a soft "mon Dieu."
Grandeur is built right in at the hotel, which was the former palace of Prince Roland Bonaparte, Napoleon Bonaparte's grandnephew. (The Bonapartes did not do subtle, either.) And if you still aren't impressed by the gated entrance, the marble lobby or the sweeping staircase, perhaps you can take a moment to appreciate the view of the Eiffel Tower, which can be seen clearly from many of the hotel's guestrooms.
The hotel was designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon and has 101 rooms and 36 suites. I checked into my room, an Eiffel Tower Suite with partial view of the landmark, and stared with my mouth agape at Paris' most notable icon. For as many times as I've seen it, nothing beats the view from your hotel room as you nibble on a fresh tray of macarons and wash it down with a glass of Champagne.While you could easily spend your time in your bathrobe polishing off the rest of the Champagne and taking in the view, you came to Paris to eat — a fact the Shangri-La has not overlooked. L'Abeille, a two- Michelin-starred restaurant, was named in homage of Napoleon's favorite emblem, the bee. This French gastronomic experience sits gardenside and is open only for dinner.
There is also Shang Palace, a Shangri-La staple, which has one star in the Michelin guide and serves a blend of Asian cuisines. But the spot to beat is La Bauhinia, which offers a fusion of French and Southeast Asian cuisine underneath an intricate glass cupola, washing the restaurant in natural light. Whichever restaurant you choose, it's imperative to start (and end) your meal with a glass of Champagne in Le Bar Botaniste.
While the fitness center at the hotel leaves something to be desired, which is rare for Shangri-La hotels, the spa certainly delivers. Chi, the Spa sits in what were originally the stables. Included is a stunning pool, surrounded by walls washed in elegant white and accented with pale blues. There is also an outdoor terrace and beauty center.
When the time comes to leave the hotel — though personally that time never came — Shangri-La is in the 16th arrondissement, near the Place des Etats-Unis, the Place d'Iena and the Place du Trocadero. The Triangle d'Or, Champs-Elysees and the elegant fashion houses along Avenue Montaigne and Avenue George V are just a diamond's throw away, as well.