Text by Eva KrysiakPershing Hall Hotel provides a striking blend of sensory titillation. Dramatic green, red and pink lighting cloaks the walls and the smell of fresh mint and limes wafts from the cocktails. A vertical, botanical wall provides the centerpiece of the downstairs lounge - at 30 metres high and spanning two floors, it provides a dramatic setting.
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Susie Hollands writing for VINGT Paris
The glossy facades of Villa d'Estrees
"boutique hotel" is a wrapper hiding a tacky and sub-standard offering,
masquerading as a four star joint. Don't be fooled. The plush looking
building and décor (rip off Jacques Garcia) will disappoint. Very
well-positioned in the on a atmospheric side street rue Git-Le-Coeur
near Place St-Michel a stone's throw from St Germain des Prés cannot
save this disaster.
The hotel is found just off the heavily
trafficked and (heavily kebbabed) rue Saint André des Arts. The ten
rooms are reasonably spacious for the area with large, comfortable beds
but the level of cleanliness is worse than can be imagined. Dusty
bowls of old unwrapped cotton balls are left in the bathroom, white calcaire
(caused by Paris' hard water) cover the expensive black marble sinks,
and a generally very uncared for and unhygenic feeling remains throughout.
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Not in Paris but worth the trip to the South is Les Volets Bleus, situated about 4km from Biarritz in one of the most beautiful villages of the Pays Basque, Arcangues.
Like the British concept of Bed&Breakfast, but a million miles away in terms of style and panache are French chambres d'hotes. You are effectively staying in a private home with a few guest bedrooms and often end up being treated like a member of the family.
Ex-Parfumeur, Marie de Lapasse created this exquisitely furnished property made all the more fascinating in that it is new but was constructed entirely from demolished Basque homes, so much so that is really does seem to be an "old soul" - old timber, flagstones and materials provide the ambience. Great comfy beds and huge bathrooms with antique marble washstands and enormous baths help one settle in immediately.
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L'Hôtel Des Académies Et Des Arts is said to be a "Haven of artistic creation in Paris." It's design pays tribute to the life of the famous twentieth century artists who began their creations in the very neighborhood where the hotel is located.
You will notice the community of figure paintings and sculptures that inhabit the hotel, from the inside out. The figures were created by two French artists, Jérôme Mesnager and Sophie de Watrigant.
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Le Georges V is a fabulous art déco landmark hotel dating from 1928, just off the Champs Elysées. This meeting place for business or perhaps pleasure is the favoured spot of well-heeled Parisiennes. This year the christmas décor is inspired by Dan Flavin's strip lights, an inventive break from the norm. It's no surprise because the hotel's resident Fleuriste, Jeff Leatham (voted twice best florist in Europe) is a world leader in trends and has to stay one step ahead of the game. Originally at the Four Seasons in Beverley Hills his fans include Ungaro and Cher.........
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