Le Royal Monceau
A historic landmark reimagined for the modern day, a showcase for contemporary art, and regarded as “a rendez-vous for artists and bold spirits who are not afraid of their own era”, Le Royal Monceau is, at once, an elegant combination of boutique museum meets Grand Dame — with a certain ‘je-ne-sais-quoi’. Hello Paris.
Or rather ‘Bonjour’! As boasted by this establishment’s perfectly manicured website itself, this five-star spot is the palace for Parisians — an experience to remember, and an artful journey to the City of Light — “Paris, the Parisian way”.
Inspired by the 1940s and 50s and complete with Philippe Starck-designed décor, every exquisite corner here — including its 85 superior rooms, 64 hotel suites — is unique, and immaculately polished to a tee, exuding a spirit of French chic, with a subtle metropolitan touch. A separate building also houses three classically-styled Presidential Suites, each occupying a full floor.
Hand-picked as part of the ultra-luxury selection of hotels managed by the Raffle Group, all rooms are stocked with the ultimate essentials, and then some — custom-made linens, goose down bedding, etc — and the hotel overall provides all the obvious perks expected of its caliber, of course:
An enviable location second--to-none, on Avenue Hoche (one of the roads radiating from the Arc de Triomphe on Place de l'Etoile), on the door-step of the Champs-Elysées and the grand Parc Monceau; a spacious, maze-like mirrored spa and well-being area with an exceptionally large (23-metre) swimming pool, as well as a well-equipped gym area and a range of Clarins treatments (plus complimentary fresh fruit, juices, teas etc).. along with a few opulent extras for good measure.
Le Royal Monceau also pays homage to its artistic leanings, offering cultural connoisseurs a large art bookshop (‘La Librairie des Arts’) to browse; a 99-seat cinema, where guests may attend intimate screenings with champagne and Pierre Hermé popcorn; a contemporary art gallery with a private art collection of over 300 works; and a dedicated Art Concierge on-hand to show you around it all. Kids are also catered to — with Les Ateliers de Macha cultural workshops for children avaible during La Cuisine’s Sunday Brunch.
Haute cuisine here is also catered to with gusto — and the same level of luxury detail — with three restaurants (including Il Carpaccio, an Italian gourmet restaurant with one Michelin Star *2019*), and fusion food offerings from Nobu Matsuhisa offered in its signature restaurant; best served al-fresco in its beautiful, breezy courtyard if you stay in the sweltering European summer, where summery tables and chairs are arranged around a porthole looking down into the large turquoise pool. The multi-coloured illuminated Bar Long forms the chic focal point of the restaurant, where cocktails, champagne and top-shelf international wines and spirits are a staple on its pricey but refreshingly well-stocked drinks menu.
Simply put — the place to go if you’re on a mission to explore the finer things in life, or all that Paris has to offer in the high-class stakes. You won’t be disappointed — no matter how high your standards are. This one has it all, and isn’t afraid to flash it, in style.
Perfect for: A five-star Paris stay to remember (particularly for art lovers), with all the ultra-luxury trimmings. If you’re not staying, reserve a table for a breezy lunch on its open-air terrace — and bask in the beauty of this establishment’s opulent glory for day.
What to order: It’s almost impossible to choose from the smorgasboard of delicacies offered by the three top restaurants here, but try to get in on a lunch on the terrace if you can. For that, it’s a choice between gourmet and trendy at Matsuhisa Paris Japanese Chef Nobu's first restaurant in France — offering fusion fare and desserts from the one and only Pierre Hermé pastry chef, who has also been dubbed the “Picasso of Pastry” — and haute cuisine in a relaxed setting at Il Carpaccio. Choose your poison and enjoy the gastronomic journey ‘du jour’. It’s all magnifique and executed to perfection — the dishes here are to die for.
Address: 37 Avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris (Google Maps)
Trading hours: Hotel open 24 hours;
La Cuisine // Offers:
Breakfast daily from 7.00 am to 10.30 am (€62 per person for the Buffet Royal); Saturday Brunch: 12.30 to 3.30 pm (€98 per person, excluding alcoholic and soft drinks); Sunday Brunch Royal: 12.00 to 3.30 pm (€139 per person, excluding alcoholic and soft drinks);
Il Carpaccio // Offers:
– Lunch: 12.00 pm – 2.30 pm;
– Dinner: 7.00 pm – 10.30 pm.
– Lunch and dinner may be served on the terrace in summer weather (*but it is closed from July 28th to August 26th - included);
Matsuhisa Paris // Open:
– Monday to Wednesday: 12.00 pm – 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm – 10.30 pm
– Thursday and Friday: 12.00 pm – 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm – 11.30 pm
– Saturday: 7.30 pm – 11.30 pm
– Sunday: 7.30 pm – 10.30 pm
– Lunch and dinner may be served on the terrace in warm weather (*Closing lunchtime hours from August 3rd to 25th (included), but it is still open every evening during the summer.)
Website: https://www.leroyalmonceau.com/en/
Insta: @leroyalmonceau
