Besides the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, Paris is also known for its array of majestic hotels. However, the city is large, so choosing a neighborhood to base yourself in is always a difficult choice. I recently returned from Paris, and on this trip, I decided to base myself in the right bank, near the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. I chose this area for its convenient location, within close range of many attractions and Métro stops, and for its iconic status as a shopping neighborhood. Here’s what I discovered:

Le Royal Monceau—Raffles Paris (www.leroyalmonceau.com)

Photo: Le Royal Monceau – 37 Avenue Hoche.
Credit: Philippe Garcia/LaSociétéAnonyme.

Designed by Philippe Starck and owned by the luxe Raffles brand, this hotel stands out for its unique design and high level of service. Although this hotel was first built in 1928, it recently underwent a complete overhaul and reopened in 2010 as a Raffles property. Today, it still evokes the roaring ‘20s, but it has been completely re-imagined by superstar designer Philippe Starck, who transformed the hotel into a high-design haven. Starck designed everything in the hotel, from the grandiose lobby to the individual accents, like asymmetrical desks and sculptural glass lamps, in the guestrooms.

Upon entering the hotel via a red carpet and being greeted by doormen in top hats, it becomes clear that the service here is in a caliber of its own. In addition to having the amenities and services you would expect from a luxury hotel, the Royal Monceau also offers a unique service: an art concierge. The art concierge can help you plan tours of artists’ studios, and get insider access to Paris’s museums and galleries. The hotel focuses heavily on art: unique pieces, like sculptures by Anish Kapoor, are sold in the gift shop; artwork is prominently displayed in the halls; and there’s an art gallery in the building.
 
The 149 guest rooms and suites, decorated in tones of tan, red, taupe, and white, feel like a refuge. It’s clear that Starck conceptualized the design of each room: everything seems intentional and well thought-out, from the position of the bed (so that it gets the most light) to the strategically-placed TVs (which are sometimes hidden inside 2-way mirrors). Bonus: there’s also a guitar in each room, which guests are encouraged to play.

The Royal Monceau is a chic yet untraditional high-end choice that’s perfect for the design-conscious traveler. Rates: 780 euros–930 euros double; suites from 1,200 euros.

Hotel Plaza Athénée Paris (www.plaza-athenee-paris.com)

Nothing says quintessential Parisian luxury like the Plaza Athénée. Built in 1913, this Art Nouveau beauty, located on the chic shopping Mecca of Avenue Montaigne, is a Parisian landmark. After passing through the grand lobby, with its lavish tapestries and crystal chandeliers, visitors can proceed on to the Galerie des Gobelins, a lavish tea salon, or la Cour Jardin, a charming interior courtyard draped with vines and dotted with red sun umbrellas.

Guest rooms are designed in two styles: art deco or classic French style. Suites resemble grand Parisian apartments–you may recognize one of them from the Paris scenes of the Sex and the City series finale.

However, even if you don’t stay at the Plaza Athénée, it’s worth visiting the hotel solely to dine at its exquisite restaurants. Celebrity Chef Alain Ducasse oversees the meals at all of the restaurants in the hotel, including the 3 Michelin–starred Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée–widely considered to be one of the best restaurants in the city–and Le Relais Plaza, the hotel’s traditional Parisian brasserie. At Le Relais Plaza, in addition to offering up traditional Parisian bistro-fare, like steak tartare with French fries and veal escalope Viennese style, the chef showcases seasonal ingredients with dishes like salmon with chanterelle mushrooms and fresh spring peas.

And if you haven’t been pampered enough by this point, there’s also a Dior Institut spa, with truly luxurious spa rooms and treatments.

Come here to indulge in la vie Parisienne–it’s the classic Paris experience. Rates: 865 euros–965 euros double; suites from 1,160 euros.

Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe (www.renaissancearcdetriomphe.com)

Slightly recessed off of Avenue de Wagram, only a few blocks from the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll recognize this building by its sleek, undulating glass façade. This hotel, which opened in 2009, attracts the young and hip with its modern décor, large rooms, and cool lobby and lounge. The large, 118 rooms and suites are decorated with wood paneling, crisp white linens, and pink accents, and are equipped with modern technology. Even though my room faced the busy street, I slept blissfully in the comfortable bed–thanks to the soundproofed windows. The on-site Makassar Lounge & Restaurant is a cool bistro and bar that serves French and Indonesian dishes.

This is a great choice for the young and trendy, but it’s probably not ideal for families. Rates: 279 euros–770 euros double; suites from 419 euros.

Note: Last week marked the opening of the new Mandarin Oriental, Paris (www.mandarinoriental.com/paris). The renowned Asian hotel chain is known for its luxurious properties and high level of service, so the new 177-room hotel, located on the rue Sainte-Honoré, is bound to be equally impressive.

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