Hôtel Plaza Athénée

This classic Parisian luxury hotel—with its oft-photographed Belle Epoque façade adorned with cheery red awnings—is one of the most iconic hotels in the city and located in the stylish 8th arrondissement.

• The fifteen rooms that have direct views of the Eiffel Tower (others have side-views of the iconic landmark from their balconies)
• That 80 percent of rooms are connecting, making this an ideal hotel for families
• The treatment rooms at the Dior Institut spa in the basement

Of all of Paris’s palace hotels, the Plaza Athénée is the most fashion-centric. The hotel opened its doors in 1913, but it was in 1946 when Christian Dior established The House of Dior right down Avenue Montaigne that the area became the focus of fashion and art in Paris. Dior saw the hotel as an extension of his workshop, hosting his very first fashion show in Le Galerie of the Plaza Athénée where you can now enjoy high tea. Hollywood has also always held a place here. In the late 1930s actor Jean Gabin would have the hotel facade covered in roses when he was in residence as a special signal for his love, the German-American actress Marlene Dietrich. The hotel now uses red geraniums on the Art Deco facade, a tribute to this romantic gesture.

Having gone through an extensive renovation in the early 2020s, the hotel has increased its room number to 208, of which 58 are suites. 80 percent of these rooms can be connected to create two- and four-bedroom suites, a wonderful feature for families, allowing guests to guarantee connecting rooms at the time of booking. While the stunning classic French décor remains intact, there are modern touches everywhere that also cater to young, stylish clientele including a high-tech Dyson hair dryer in the bathrooms. The spacious rooms are decorated in a revisited classic Parisian style, with an Art Deco influence. With an in-house florist, bespoke arrangements fill each and every room.

Longtime guests of the hotel continue to appreciate the subtle changes: the classic French interior design remains intact, but the vibe is more informal. The warm and elegant lobby welcomes guests with red velvet couches and a gleaming marble floor. Meanwhile, in the guestrooms traditional silk and velvet upholsteries have been updated to a cheery palette of reds, purples, and pinks. But overall, the balance remains in Le Plaza’s Louis XIV aesthetic—which renders the hotel one of the most authentically Parisian.

In addition to having a more intimate and romantic setting than Paris’s other palace hotels, Le Plaza caters to families with children. For example, the hotel’s trademark courtyard turns into an ice-skating rink and outdoor fondue restaurant in the winter months. Afternoon tea or an aperitif in Le Galerie is a great way to end the day, after seeing the sites and shopping the Avenue Montaigne. It is great people-watching in a gorgeous setting with atmospheric background music to set the mood.

One of the exciting developments at the hotel is that the hot young chef Jean Imbert has replaced Alain Ducasse after 21 years, marking a new direction for the palace. Imbert’s cuisine is well known to his loyal Instagram followers and celebs alike and is inspired by cuisine grand mere with a twist. He has brought the spotlight back to the service and full experience of dining, to create an ambience that is relaxed and fun. The newly redecorated gold-leaf dining room is softly lit, with sumptuous fabrics and lush pink hydrangea arrangements adorning the 40 foot long Breccia marble table at the center of the room.

Le Plaza’s street-level cocktail lounge, Le Bar, designed by Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku, is a great late night scene set in the chicest of spaces transformed by the lucite bar and the blue fabric dancing on the ceiling evoking the elegant fabrics being transformed by the designers on the block.

The Dior Institut spa offers excellent treatments and massages with a steam and sauna, while the gym has state of the art equipment, a dedicated personal trainer and Nexersys Boxing.

Those looking for quintessential Parisian glamour who will appreciate the hotel’s intimate charm and fashionable location on sunny Avenue Montaigne. Traditionalists and romantics will appreciate Le Plaza’s updated Louis XIV aesthetic. Families can take advantage of child-friendly activities and numerous connecting room options. The largest customer base is American.

Read Upon Arrival Paris to discover points of interest within a few blocks of the hotel.