Review of Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel

There is no better located hotel in Paris than the Hôtel de Crillon, set directly on the Place de la Concorde, steps from the Champs-Élysées with its gardens, pavilions and theatres on one side and on the other, the Jardin des Tuileries, the Louvre, the 150-year-old department store, Samaritaine and the upscale brands, boutiques and shops of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. A walk across the Pont de la Concorde will take you to the Musée d’Orsay and the restaurants, bistros and boutiques of the Left Bank and Boulevard Saint-Germain. 

Paris Orly (ORY) is around 18 kilometres, a journey time of around 30 to 45 minutes whilst Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is around 26 kilometres with a slightly longer journey time of between 45 to 60 minutes. Paris Le Bourget (LBG) is 76 kilometres distance, a drivetime of around 60 to 90 minutes. Paris Gare du Nord, the terminus for Eurostar, is around 3.2 kilometres a travel time of around 20 to 30 minutes to the hotel. The nearest Metro stop to the property is Concorde on Line 1 which is a 20-minute walk. 

For local drivers, there is valet parking and there are luxury courtesy car services available for local journeys (based on availability).

The Hôtel de Crillon’s 78 guest rooms, 36 suites and 10 signature suites showcase an expressly Parisian residential style which marries contemporary style with an historic 18th-century interior and bespoke furnishings with period antiques and objets d’art. The late fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld, who had a great personal interest in 18th-century design, was responsible for decorating the Grands Appartements and his elegant touch is evident throughout. 

Each guest room offers flat screen 48-inch to 55-inch televisions with satellite channels, in room Bluetooth sound systems, Rivolta Carmignani Italian linens, fine French pillows and duvets from Drouault, welcome refreshments, a Nespresso coffee machine and a selection of fine teas. In the marble bathrooms, there are televisions in the bathroom mirrors, underfloor heating, separate walk-in rain showers and baths, bespoke toiletries by Buly 1803 and salon-grade hairdryers. There are also digital scales which you might want to ignore if enjoying Paris’ famous gastronomy. 

A stay at the Hôtel de Crillon comes complete with an around the clock butler service, available when booking a guest room or luxury suite. Guests may call upon them as their first point of contact for unpacking and repacking of suitcases, to booking spa treatments, restaurants, or really any whim desired, working alongside the Clef d’Or concierge team. 

There are three neutrally decorated guest room types – the stylish Deluxe Rooms located on the first to the sixth floors looking out over the hotel’s inner courtyards, the sophisticated Grand Premier Rooms which look out over the quite pedestrian street Rue Boissy d’Anglas or the inner courtyards and the Premier Rooms which have a similar outlook. 

Similarly, there are three suite types, all enjoying views out over Rue Boissy d’Anglas or an inner courtyard and benefits include the courtesy pressing of up to three garments per guest per day. The suites feature parquet flooring with custom rugs and artworks and sumptuous fabrics, wallpapers and textiles, a layering of textures which complement the objets d’art and books scattered across the living space. The Deluxe Suite mirrors the heritage and charm of the best Parisian residences with a separate living room, a spacious bedroom and a large marble bathroom. The Premier Suite is slightly larger, generously sized with similar views whilst the Grand Premier Suites enjoy 72 square metres of space with a warm and inviting living room and spacious bedroom and bathroom. 

Taking it up a notch, the Signature Suites play homage to past guests and are individually styled to suit with the two Grands Appartements designed by the late, great Chanel designer, Karl Lagerfeld. They additionally include a return transfer from either an airport or a rail station. 

The three Ateliers d’Artistes are named for the arts and are decorated with a symphony of greys, custom furnishings and antiqued mirrors. Le Poète, L’Ecrivain and Le Peintre and poetically are located in the eaves of the hotel on the seventh floor with a terrace or balcony overlooking the city and the Eiffel Tower. 

Karl’s two Grands Appartements are located on the fourth floor, offering breath-taking views over the Place de la Concorde, decorated with an elegance that can only be created by the touch of a master designer with an interest in history. Attention to detail was sacrosanct and included the recreation of the fabric for the canopy bed in one of the Appartements, inspired by a scrap of silk remaining from the time of Louis XVI.  He also incorporated some secret doors inspired by Versailles and included original sinks from that palace in the power room. A mix of bespoke furniture, grey silk wallpapers, damask fabrics, glittering chandeliers, curated fine antiques with incredible bathrooms made from blocks of Carrera marble, dining rooms and ultra-contemporary dressing rooms, the two Grands Appartements can be combined together with an adjoining bedroom to create a three-bedroom apartment. 

The other five Signature Suites are equally distinguished offering a mix of discreet luxury and contemporary flair which complement each with ease. The Suite Bernstein, named for the composer and frequent guest, is located on the sixth floor and includes a dining room for six people and a huge private terrace overlooking Paris. The second-floor Suite Duc de Crillon, named for the original owning family, looks out over the quiet pedestrian street Rue Boissy d’Anglas. Uniquely, part of the original woodwork of the historical suite, once the family’s private chapel, still graces the living room of the suites with the remainder exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The Suite Jardin offers a quieter retreat. With calming whites and a more contemporary feel albeit sprinkled with antiques, this suite offers a private, enclosed terrace overlooking the courtyard, Cour d’Honneur. 

The final two suites are named for the royal family, the first, Suite Louis XV on the sixth floor, named for the man who commissioned the façade and the second for his daughter in law, Suite Marie Antoinette. Located on the sixth floor Suite Louis XV offers magnificent views over Paris and features a wonderful terrace, large living room, a walk-in wardrobe and a king-sized bed, quite appropriately. It can be interconnected to the Suite Bernstein. Suite Marie Antoinette was inspired by the former queen and is housed in the room in which she received her piano lessons. Featuring a charming 18th century décor that has been merely renovated rather than changed, it includes a private courtyard terrace as well as a terrace overlooking Place de la Concorde.

Sense, A Rosewood Spa has become a familiar pampering spot for both Parisians and hotel guests alike with a wide range of treatments and luxury spa products. With a calm and serene décor, the Spa offers four treatment rooms, two beauty treatment areas, experience showers, a Hammam, an infrared sauna and a resting area complete with a Himalayan salt wall. There is also a sparkling pool, illuminated by 17,600 gold scales. The contemporary fitness facility offers the latest cutting-edge equipment with free weights and is reserved for hotel guests with personal trainers on hand on request. 

For an impeccable Parisian coiffure, look no further than David Lucas’ salon with accompanying barber service, perfect for those looking for beard or moustache maintenance. 

The Hôtel de Crillon also offers a range of “Experiences” for those visiting the city. These include at the time of writing, a cocktail masterclass in Bar Les Ambassadeurs, a floral masterclass with the famous floral designer Djordje Varda, a visit through the cellars with Xavier Thuizat, the hotel’s own oenological expert or a tour of Paris in the property’s iconic vintage car.

Young members of the family are welcomed with Rosewood’s Rosebuds kids programme featuring family-friendly amenities and experiences. Young VIPs will enjoy creating a photo report with a Polaroid, watching a film with their family, taking a family boot camp in the Tuileries gardens or undertaking an escape game in a famous Parisian monument. Rosebud amenities include safety kits, bathrobes, slippers, bespoke bath products, bathtubs, highchairs, bottle warmers - whilst other goodies include toys, board and video games.

There are not that many hotels that can truthfully justify calling themselves iconic. It is an oft used phrase, much misused. The Hôtel de Crillon however is one such property – a hotel that is at once historic and opulent, furnished with just the right mix of contemporary furnishings expertly complementing a raft of fine antiques and gilded mirrors and columns.  For this is an important building, one which once saw Queen Marie-Antoinette take piano lessons on its second floor, its façade commissioned by Louis XV, before becoming a home for the aristocratic Duc de Crillon. 

From its windows on the Place de la Concorde, once known as the Place de la Révolution, it directly oversaw (with more than a whiff of schadenfreude), the regicide of both King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. It is a building therefore which is embedded both in the history of Paris and of France. Of such significance, all eyes were upon it when it re-emerged into the spotlight in 2017 after a four-year restoration, said to be one of the most expensive in hotel history.  

Thankfully, the hotel was – and is - in good hands and Paris’ most elite address emerged from its cocoon as a beautiful butterfly, thanks to the dedicated ministrations of architect Aline d’Amman, her four Paris-based designers – Tristan Auer, Chahan Minassian, Cyril Vergniol and Karl Lagerfeld - and over 5,000 artisans, designers, architects and artists.  Discreet as ever, as grand as any luxury hotel in the world, as welcoming as only a hotel group of the prestige of Rosewood can engender, the Hôtel de Crillon continues to reign supreme in the “City of Light”.

There are four restaurants and bars at the Hôtel de Crillon – L’Ecrin, Brasserie D’Aumont, Jardin d’Hiver and Bar Les Ambassadeurs. The fine dining, one-Michelin starred L’Ecrin under the toque of Boris Campanella is a perfect retreat, situated at the hotel’s heart. Decorated in a contemporary style with smoky mirrors and a textured ceiling with velvet chairs seating just 22 covers, Campanella has designed an exquisite culinary journey, creatively presented, with fine wines chosen by Head Sommelier Xavier Thuizat, to match. For special occasions, the hotel also offers La Cave, a private dining room with a table surrounded by a formidable collection of the finest vintages from France and across the world. 

The Brasserie d’Aumont is slightly less formal and has a distinctive Parisian brasserie feel with a timeless, quintessentially French cuisine with a menu packed with traditional dishes served with a new flourish. 

The Jardin d’Hiver looks out onto a leafy and chic inner courtyard and is a gorgeous confection of sparkling chandeliers hanging low from high ceilings, patterned marbled floors, over-sized mirrored doors, velvet banquettes and comfortable armchairs, enlivened by fresh flowers. Offering all day dining, this is the optimum space in which to enjoy Afternoon tea with varying options and an exceptional champagne pairing. “Le Gouter des Lords” for instance, offers a fine selection of savoury canapes and pastries created by Head Pastry Chef Matthieu Carlin.

The Bar Les Ambassadeurs is situated in the former dining room of the hotel in grand style overlooking the Place de la Concorde. Its opulent décor, complete with a frescoed ceiling of floating clouds, is the perfect venue to enjoy an innovative cocktail, a coupe de Champagne (from a list of over a 100) with caviar or salmon blinis perhaps or a glass of sake and other spirits to the backdrop of some live music. Sit at the horseshow shaped bar or in the salon and enjoy the numerous mirrored faux-windows and doors reflecting the lights from the contemporary chandeliers or relax out on the Concorde Terrace under the hotel’s colonnade. 

There is also a private cigar lounge, L’Etincelle, an intimate venue in the spirit of a fumoir.

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has pledged to value the earth’s resources and to demonstrate environmental sensitivity. With each hotel, they respect the unique setting, history, environmental sensibilities and cultural mores for each community in which they are located. They prioritise conservation and sustainability in each location and adopt proactive policies to address them. They also establish relationships with environmental advocates to create educational and stewardship opportunities unique to each locale. 

Providing the ultimate hospitality: Rosewood offer ultra-luxurious accommodation consistent with guest expectations of Rosewood hospitality and provide impeccable service that exceeds them without compromising or disrespecting the environment. They manage conscientiously and with integrity the natural resources and environments which play host to Rosewood properties. They embrace their tradition of refined elegance and residential aesthetic while showing consideration for the environmental setting.

Nurturing nature: Each hotel helps preserve clean air and water by implementing sustainable and environmental policies and standards for housekeeping, facility maintenance, landscaping and transportation. They manage and reduce waste by implementing sustainable and environmental policies and standards that address the “five Rs” of waste management: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Remove. Properties also conserve and reduce energy by implementing sustainable and environmental policies, standards and systems including the use of energy efficient equipment.

Education and dedication: Rosewood includes environmental sensitivity in policy and planning for all areas of the company including purchasing, budgeting, development and marketing. They incorporate sustainability training into associate job training and offer guests the option of choosing eco-friendly housekeeping, natural and organic food and beverage choices and energy efficient appliances. Ongoing, they are creating auditing and monitoring metrics, implementing enhancements to ensure continual improvement.