Friday, August 5, 2011

A Puppy Before and After It Found a New Home
















The Luxurious Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris Hotel, France


 

Unique, luxurious and extremely elegant, Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris re-opened last year , after a two year transformation by Philippe Starck. The luxury hotel feels more like a private members club than a hotel.  Entirely designed by Philippe Starck, the public areas are inspired by the 30s a celebration of the French art de vivre and birth of the hotel back in 1928.

On entering the rooms, guests are transported back to the 40s and 50s. Designs are mainly inspired by the French adventurer, award-winning author and statesman André Malraux, who liked to gather objects that inspired or moved him.

In each of the 149 rooms one gets the feeling they are staying in the home of a creative friend finding a private photograph collection propped up against the walls, an acoustic guitar, books dedicated to art, love letters left in the drawer of a desk, a pearl necklace, all the traces of a traveler, a dandy, a writer, an artist or a passionate collector.

The floor to ceiling mirrored bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes in the style of haute couture fitting rooms, flat-screen TVs hidden in Louis XV-style cabinets and directories stashed in antique dressers really set this hotel apart from the competition. The hotel has a certain je ne sais quoi that will really charm you.

Guests can pick from the many delectable dishes on offer in one of its five restaurants and bars. Plus there's a Clarins Spa, art gallery known as the Art District, cinema, library specialising in art books all a stones throw away from the Champs Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe –  perfect for exploring Paris' boutiques and soaking up the atmosphere. Images courtesy of Philippe Garcia, La Société Anonyme and Laurent Attias.

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