The Peninsula Paris

Classic Parisian elegance and up-to-date technology blend to create a modern hub for well-heeled travelers to see and be seen.

Just minutes from the bustle of the Arc de Triomphe, the Peninsula Paris stands gracefully on the corner of Place Kleber and Avenue des Portugais, looking very much at home in its pocket of the 16th Arrondissement. The Haussmann-style building is classically Parisian. From the exterior, two Chinese lions stand guard at the entrance, which opens to the grand Lobby restaurant, a Peninsula signature.

That the building blends seamlessly with its surroundings can be credited to its long and storied history. In another lifetime, in Belle Époque Paris, the building housed the Majestic Hotel, a social hub for literary types, which was purchased by the French government and subsequently occupied by the Nazi military command. Even the bar is steeped in history: the Paris Peace Accords that brought the Vietnam War to a close were signed in 1973 in what is now Le Bar Kléber.

As the Peninsula’s first foray into Europe, the priority of the four-year restoration was not speed, but perfection. Master artisans and craftsmen were hired for their expertise in traditional techniques with the aim of bringing the hotel’s façade, marble, stucco, mosaics, stonework, and gold leafing back to their former glory. This painstaking attention to detail is evidenced most clearly in the stunning public spaces. In the second lobby (yes, there are two) crisply attired bellmen await and friendly staff click away at computers in a grand, shining space of white marble and gold. The centerpiece is the breathtaking Dancing Leavesby Lasvit, featuring 800 blown glass sycamore leaves, some painted in gold, that appear to be dancing in a gust of wind.

The rooms themselves give the feeling of a private pied à terre, a welcome addition in a city of limited square footage. The hallways, with plush carpeting and original art pieces, seem more like those of a luxe apartment building than a hotel. In each room, an entrance foyer with rich hardwood flooring greets guests. Bathrooms are indulgent, done in black and white marble and featuring his-and-hers separated sinks, heated floors, and a bathtub with control panel that allows you to dim the lights, switch on the room's “do not disturb” sign and play spa music. All other room functions can be controlled via iPad, from opening the curtains to ordering a bottle of Champagne. Classic Peninsula touches include nail dryers in the rooms, leather faced drawers for laundry and the vintage Rolls Royce Phantom from 1934 that can be booked for a ride around Paris. Room to book: The duplex Rooftop Garden Suite, with its own terrace overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Guests who book suite categories have access to complimentary transfer service to and from the airport.

The culinary crown jewel of the hotel is L'Oiseau Blanc Restaurant, a two-Michelin-starred bastion of fine dining on the rooftop. Its name (which translates to “the white bird”) pays homage to two French pioneers of aviation, François Coli and Charles Nungesser, who embarked on the first attempt at a non-stop Transatlantic flight on a plane dubbed L’Oiseau Blanc. (They and the plane were never found, though a full-size replica of the original hangs just outside the restaurant, forever in flight.) Guests can also head to Le Rooftop during summer months for drinks and light bites with a dazzling Eiffel Tower view. Another summertime favorite: Secret Table, a private dinner for two served al fresco on the top floor as well. (Note: guests who book this must reserve well in advance, and both diners must choose the same dishes.)

Couples and families looking for privacy and great service with some of the largest and most up-to-date rooms in Paris.