logo
Inside Look: Le Meurice Review

Inside Look: Le Meurice Review

Forbes4 days ago
P aris is full of beautiful hotels, but few make you feel like you've stepped into a piece of the city's history the moment you walk through the door. Since opening in 1835, Le Meurice has long been a magnet for royalty, artists and tastemakers—from Coco Chanel's fashion shows to surrealist gatherings hosted by Salvador Dalí (who took annual month-long residence at the hotel over the course of 30 years). Deemed one of the city's select Palace hotels, a mark of distinction awarded by the French government for exceptional service and heritage, the property is a must-see destination for art and culture lovers, featuring contemporary art that blends seamlessly alongside classic French design.
On a recent trip to Paris, I checked in to Le Meurice with my family. Its prime location on Rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement, facing the Tuileries Garden and steps from the Louvre and the Seine, make it a great base for exploring the City of Lights. Plus, the property itself feels like an oasis—albeit an ornate, luxurious one—with impeccable service and amenities (it's no surprise it made it into our best Paris hotels guide). If you're planning a stay, here's what to know.
Exterior of Le Meurice hotel. Le Meurice Who Will Love It: Art lovers; couples and families looking for a prime location All-Star Amenities: Penhaligon's toiletries, spa featuring Valmont products; Italian marble bathrooms; location facing the Tuileries Garden and right near the Louvre What Not To Miss: Hammam and sauna, breakfast in the Versailles room, cocktails at Bar 228 Location: Paris, France
Public spaces on the property were designed by Philippe Starck, and every detail feels carefully curated (think statement lighting and rich fabrics alongside Eero Saarinen Tulip chairs and an oversized frosted mirror in the lobby for guests to write on). The hotel's La Maison Valmont Spa, blending Swiss wellness traditions with cutting-edge treatments, is the only one of its kind in Paris. After a revitalizing massage or facial, guests can unwind in the serene lounges. The hammam and sauna are open from 8am until 10pm, making it especially convenient for the jet lagged.
Store at La Maison Valmont Spa. Mark Read
The hotel's 24-hour concierge staff stands out for their impeccable knowledge of Paris, and can conveniently be reached via a guest Whatsapp service too. When I asked them for itinerary ideas, they were ready to arrange everything from private museum tours—like Louvre treasure hunts for families or a city walk tracing the life and career of Rodin—to skip-the-line access to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
The property's 160 rooms, many of which have been refreshed by the design duo Lally & Berger, tap into the elegance of Louis XVI style while mixing antique-style furnishings with modern comforts. Rooms feel spacious by Paris standards, with elegant touches like silk draperies, marble bathrooms and plush bedding that create a warm, inviting ambiance. I stayed in an executive suite with my family, which featured soft pastel tones, Parisian art, gilded accents, and sweeping views of the Tuileries Garden, Eiffel Tower and Musee D'Orsay. Even with a lively summer carnival going on throughout our stay, the soundproofing on the windows was excellent, as were the blackout blinds, which could be controlled by conveniently placed switches bedside and throughout the room.
Living room in a Meurice Executive Suite. Mark Read Food And Beverage
Along with design, there's even an artful vibe to the on-site dining options. Le Dalí is the main restaurant and Starck's surrealist ode to the namesake (you can't miss the handpainted ceiling by his daughter, Ara Starck). It offers French and international classics and a lively atmosphere perfect for cocktails or casual gatherings. A highlight of our meal was a signature Cédric Grolet trompe l'oeil dessert simply named 'pistachio' that was a delightful chocolate, nutty, crunchy concoction. The Michelin-starred Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse features inventive French haute cuisine served in a Versailles-inspired dining room. (Pro tip: If you're treating yourself to breakfast at the hotel, opt to have it in this space.) Bar 228 serves up cocktails, wine and spirits, alongside live jazz. Nearby, Cédric Grolet's Pâtisserie tempts with visually stunning pastries that are as delicious as they are artful.
Dining room at Le Dalí restaurant. Mark Read What To Do In The Area
Le Meurice occupies a prime spot on Rue de Rivoli, overlooking the expansive Tuileries Garden and a short stroll from storied museums and Place Vendôme. It's close to plenty of Métro stations and bus stops, but there's so much to see within walking distance whether you want to visit museums, check out cute wine bars or browse the 'perfume row' of neighboring Rue Saint-Honoré. How To Get There
Le Meurice is located in the 1st arrondissement on the Right Bank of Paris. It's about a 45-minute drive from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and a 30-minute drive from Paris-Orly Airport. Its closest subway stations are: Tuileries (a 3-minute walk away) and Concorde (a 5-minute walk away).
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Frodo and Gandalf shall return in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
Frodo and Gandalf shall return in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum

Digital Trends

time41 minutes ago

  • Digital Trends

Frodo and Gandalf shall return in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum

The heroes of Middle-earth are making a comeback in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Actor Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings movies, revealed that both Gandalf and Frodo will return to Middle-earth on the big screen. McKellen broke the news on August 17 at the For the Love of Fantasy fan event in London. 'I'll tell you two secrets about the casting,' said McKellen. 'There's a character in the movie called Frodo, and there's a character in the movie called Frodo, and there's a character in the movie called Gandalf. Apart from that, my lips are sealed.' Recommended Videos Scheduled to premiere on December 17, 2027, The Hunt for Gollum will be directed by Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in Jackson's Middle-earth films. Jackson will serve as a producer, with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou writing the script. Warner Bros. will also produce the film under New Line Cinema. Screen Rant reports that The Hunt for Gollum will be set before Frodo leaves the Shire in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. It will follow Gollum when he is being pursued by Gandalf, Aragorn, and the Dark Lord Sauron. Frodo and Gandalf's appearance is huge news for fans of The Lord of the Rings films. While McKellen didn't state that he and Elijah Wood would portray Gandalf and Frodo in the film, Serkis is reprising his role as Gollum for the project. It stands to reason that both McKellen and Wood will join Serkis back in Middle-earth as their respective characters. If both McKellen and Wood do appear, The Hunt for Gollum would be the first film in 15 years that would feature both actors as Gandalf and Frodo, with the last one being 2012's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Gandalf and Frodo's return may be a huge boon for The Hunt for Gollum. The last theatrical film in the franchise, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, didn't perform that well commercially without Frodo or Gandalf. Since these two characters were some of the main characters in Jackson's Lord of the Rings films, they could attract enough fans to make The Hunt for Gollum a box-office success.

13 Best Hotels in the Dolomites, Italy's Charming Mountain Region
13 Best Hotels in the Dolomites, Italy's Charming Mountain Region

Condé Nast Traveler

time41 minutes ago

  • Condé Nast Traveler

13 Best Hotels in the Dolomites, Italy's Charming Mountain Region

Located in the heart of the Dolomites on the Alpe di Siusi—the highest Alpine plateau in Europe—in winter, its ski-in, ski-out location offers direct access to the pistes, and in summer, South Tyrol's flower-flecked network of hiking and biking trails. As you'd expect from the brand, wellness and spa is at its core with a health-forward COMO Shambala menu on offer, plus hearty Tyrolean and Italian fare—as well as excellent Alto Adige wines—for those who don't want to hold back. All of the wood-clad cozy rooms face the slopes and have a balcony or terrace. Valley-plucked apples and filtered bottles of still and sparkling water are left daily. It is reassuringly old school—a regular telephone with a windy cord gives you quick access to reception, and switches dim the lights (no pesky iPad here). The spa is, of course, a must—where treatments on offer include Deep Tissue, Indian head, Balinese and drainage massage alongside Tyrolean-skewed treatments. Their hay bath is an acquired taste—being sandwiched between two lots of hay is meant to improve circulation. Sauna is a serious operation here, with herbal and Finnish saunas and salt and aroma steams (get the etiquette right, there are no swimsuits allowed, towels are optional, and most go naked) with a convivial outdoor seating area in the snow where half-clad spa-goers chatter. In summer the hotel offers multiple activities including biking, hiking, climbing, trail running, paragliding, zip lining, lake/wild swimming, picnicking, and helicopter rides. —Jemima Sissons

Bella Hadid Gives Butter Yellow an 11th Hour Rebrand
Bella Hadid Gives Butter Yellow an 11th Hour Rebrand

Vogue

time2 hours ago

  • Vogue

Bella Hadid Gives Butter Yellow an 11th Hour Rebrand

Is it possible that the dress is also a nod to her fruity Eternal Roots? Perhaps, instead of butter, the pale yellow actually reminds Hadid of the off-white flesh of a lychee. Whether or not the color is a subtle sartorial nod, to her latest venture, the look fits right into her recent summery style, filled with flowing silhouettes from popular, more accessible brands like Mirror Palais, For Love & Lemons, Mango, and With Jéan. Butter yellow faces challengers for the color du jour—Hailey Bieber's limoncello yellow and Taylor Swift's showgirl orange among them. But if anyone can revive the pastel hue, it's Bella Hadid.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store