France: Paris: Where to Stay: Grand: Hôtel de Crillon (CLOSED FOR RENOVATION 01/2013)

Hôtel de Crillon (CLOSED FOR RENOVATION 01/2013)

Of all the grand hotels in Paris, the Crillon is the most ineffably French, occupying a landmarked 18th-century palace on the Place de la Concorde. Doormen in livery usher you into an impressive reception area with a black-and-white marble harlequin-tiled floor, and service is cordial if reserved. What happens after you’ve checked in depends very much on which kind of room you’ve booked: the standard doubles are lacking for space and underwhelming in decor and amenities, so it’s worth upgrading to a junior suite if you want the full-bore Crillon experience. Though it lacks a pool and has only a small spa, the hotel does have a premier restaurant—the one-star Les Ambassadeurs. Rooms from $947.

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