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living room, bedroom and large bath,
along with two terraces.
Another boutique hotel from an
internationally recognized brand is the
InterContinental Paris-Avenue Marceau.
Literally a one-minute walk from the
Arc de Triomphe, this four-star hotel is
also in the 8th arrondissement. What
once was the private mansion of Lord
de Breteuil is now a beautifully restored
hotel, featuring 55 guest rooms and
two suites.
Since this was originally a private
home, there are no cookie cutter
rooms, which also extends to the
décor. Each offers a unique design
and atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed
my room overlooking Avenue Marceau.
Located on the first floor (that’s the
second floor for Americans), the room
features a soaring ceiling and
upstairs bathroom. For a terrace,
book one of the two suites located
on the top floor.
Away from the 8th and into the 1st
arrondissement is where Hotel du
Louvre is located. As its name
indicates, this Hyatt hotel is right
next to possibly the world’s most
famous museum. This prime location
is also a short distance to the
Tuileries, Palais-Royal, Place Vendôme,
Place de la Concorde and some of the
best shopping in Paris, making it an
excellent base for exploring the city.
Dating to 1855 at the request of
Napoleon III, Hôtel du Louvre is
a five-star hotel with 177 rooms,
43 of which are suites. Classically
French, the hotel was redesigned
in 2001. Located within the hotel
is Brasserie du Louvre, which serves
up traditional French food in a
relaxed setting, while Le Bar offers a
quintessentially Parisian atmosphere
to enjoy a cocktail or coffee.
Perhaps one of my most memorable
stays in Paris was in the hotel’s
Corner View Suite. At over 500
square feet with tall ceilings, the
suite feels massive. But what is most
impressive is the fact that I could
see into the Louvre from my bed,
couch and wrap-around terrace.
That’s an experience I will remember
for quite some time.
Options abound in terms of Paris
hotels, but a posh stay isn’t out of
reach for the luxury-loving traveler,
also looking for a great value. Keep
in mind that no matter where you
rest your head, Paris is truly a
magical place, and true luxury lies
in the city itself.
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