As a hopeless romantic, I have always dreamt of living in Paris and it is at Le Bristol Paris that my dream has come true.

Located at the perfect location, on the elegant Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, next door to fashion boutiques and art galleries, Le Bristol Paris is the ultimate reference for French Art de Vivre.

This landmark hotel has 190 rooms situated over three wings- the original building, the Matignon wing, and the Residence wing. While each of the rooms and suites are unique, every accommodation blends ultra-modern comfort with unmistakable accents of French sensibility. When I entered my suite, the beautiful hues of pink and abundant natural light greeted me. It was decorated using only the finest materials and the most exclusive design labels.

Time seemed to stop when I opened my balcony. The Eiffel Tower loomed majestically in the distance and a warm golden glow cast upon rooftops. Looking at the symphony of cars and people on the streets, I felt I had finally arrived in Paris.

Abode to a rooftop swimming pool with an outdoor deck, I got ready to take a dip. The area was designed to look like a giant caravel and also had a painting showing Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc (part of Oetker Collection). The temperature controlled area with warm water was enough to make my fatigue go away. With large windows on either side, I was swimming with the clouds.

While coming back to my room, a long starry chandelier caught my attention. The multiple level chandelier was created when Mrs. Oetker, staying on the 7th floor, had a vertigo effect while looking down the stairs. To prevent this from happening again with any guest, they found the chandelier solution. This is when I got to know that every corner of this hotel is filled with stories.

The garden of Le Bristol Paris reflects a deep respect for nature. It has a myriad of curated plant species and remains a tranquil haven even amidst the city’s vibrant streets. Even the restaurants open their doors to the garden to bring in the green heart. To further detach from the urban bustle, the hotel has a 440 square metre space dedicated only to wellness. Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie offers luxury self-care of the highest elegance where you can destress, detoxify, relieve, and rejuvenate.

For private celebrations, there are five salons to host the most intimate and grand occasions. The glamorous moments spent here create lifelong memories, and all events and receptions organised at Le Bristol are completely bespoke.

A Starry Affair

Le Bristol Paris has a total of 4 stars in the Michelin Guide! I had my lunch at Café Antonia, a cosy and elegant space with precious artworks and a portrait of Queen Marie-Antoinette (hence, the name). The cafe serves a modern menu with light dishes.

Brasserie 114 Faubourg, recognised with 1 Michelin star, offers Parisian traditional dishes with a vibrant decor. I absolutely loved the artichoke soup with pan-seared foie gras and black truffle emulsion, and the Japanese knotweed honey ice cream dessert paired with my dessert wine- Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes. When it comes to wines, the sommeliers’ team at the hotel pairs a perfect match which brings the dish to life. I had the opportunity to take a tour of the compact wine cellar, filled with over 100,000 bottles, with over 2,500 labels, each surveyed from France’s best wineries.

On my last night at the hotel, I had the privilege of dining at the triple Michelin starred Epicure. One has to make months’ long advance booking to get their table reserved here. Crystal chandeliers, bespoke tableware and views over the French garden, with cut crystal glasses specially designed for the restaurant, and nine dishes on my menu, I was ready for the night to begin. I started with Artichoke from Provence which was roasted with olive oil and pink garlic’s crisps, then to Morels and Green Asparagus cooked in a pot with parmesan crumble, Candele Macaroni with black truffle, artichoke, and duck foie gras, and Leek which was grilled with black truffle dressing.

By this time, I was already full and decided to take a stroll behind the scene. I entered the bustling kitchen and was glad to meet Chef Éric Frechon with his team, who had curated tonight’s menu and the delicacies. Éric Frechon heads the entire kitchen staff and has made Le Bristol his home for over 20 years. He meticulously sources ingredients for his dishes; Black truffles from Périgord, Caviar from Sologne, Line-caught whiting from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de- Vie, nasturtium flowers, tender asparagus, Normandy butter and wild strawberries, only the best for Le Bristol Paris. Executed to perfection, his dishes are always created from a foundation of local ingredients and French culinary heritage.

Upon returning to my table, I was served with Chef Éric’s signature dish, the Bresse Farm Hen poached in a bladder cooked with yellow wine, royal giblets, green asparagus, and morels. This dish had a second part, which included roasted legs, mesclun salad and herbs, and vinaigrette with black truffle. After quick nibbles of five cheeses from their cellar, I had finally arrived at desserts. Return from Picking was an artistic dessert made from wild strawberries, infused with sorbet and leaves made of agastache. Believe me, it was too pretty to eat. Last dish of the night was Chocolate from Equator, which consisted of chocolate shortbread, cocoa nib praline, hot chocolate espuma and chicory ice cream. Dining at Epicure was like being a part of a ballad where the servers synchronised each moment. I had savoured each dish in awe of its presentation and subtle and delicate flavours. At the end of the dinner, I was filled to the brim with good food and happy emotions as I knew I could never forget the four hours spent at Epicure. As a souvenir, I brought back the menu home.

The hotel also houses a bar which serves a legendary cocktail experience. A vintage atmosphere during the day and a party house after dark, Le Bar du Bristol is for the classic and adventurous. Bristol Old Fashioned N° 3 and Cocktail 365 (from Le Bristol Paris’s own hives for honey) are their signatures.

L’Épicerie des Ateliers du Bristol, known as the cabinet of gourmet curiosities, serves everything from necessities to the most refined seasonal delicacies. From the hotel’s famous croissants, ‘living bread’ crafted from heritage wheats milled fresh each day in the basement, to handmade jams, smoked salmon by the slice, and canelés and éclairs.

A Timeless Glamour

Whether it is the traditional key (with the iconic silver key ring) to your room, the elevator with a beautiful wrought iron door, halls adorned with original artworks, or interiors dominated by 18th-century-style French furniture, and even the feline friend Socrate, Le Bristol Paris gracefully immerses you in its traditions and history at every moment of your stay.