In the city of love, Wersha Bharadwa checks into the iconic Hotel Splendide Royal and finds a luxury post-nuptial Parisian getaway full of regal-style glamour.
Location
First up there’s the address: tucked away in the quiet and discreet Rue du Cirque in the prestigious 8th arrondissement and two roads away from where the French president resides at Palais de l’Élysée, you’ll find the hotel is a well kept secret and thus no exception to the kind of extreme anonymity that makes an A lister worthy honeymoon.
Then there’s the fact this swanky Relais & Chateau property is just a 10-minute stroll from the famed Avenue des Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Hotel Splendide Royal’s central location in the the beating heart of Paris’ golden triangle also means fashion lovers will relish a quick fix over at Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré – home to high-end boutiques and flagship Hermès, Chanel, and Dior stores – mere steps away. Other highlights within easy walking distance include the Grand Palais and the famed Louvre Museum. From Charles de Gaulle Airport, the journey by car or taxi takes just under 45 minutes and Gare du Nord is a convenient 20-minute drive.
First impressions
Arriving at the former 19th-century Haussmannian stone mansion townhouse feels like you’re positively slipping into the pages of a chic Parisian novel: there’s the emerald-green facade, wrought-iron Juliet balconies wrapping around the upper levels, a steep slate roof and subtle ivy tendrils draped above a suitably discreet entrance marked by a brass plaque.
Designed as miniature palace living in Paris – (the ‘palace’ status in France means it’s a step above five star) – the hotel offers considerable attention to detail with a romantic pied a terre apartment living feel about it to make you feel like a couture-clad local (albeit one familiar with butler service).
As soon as we’re out of our taxi, we’re given a supremely warm and personal welcome by director Benoit Saudemont and guest relations manager, Cedric, who whisk our luggage out of sight and hand over fresh glasses of crisp champagne during a speedy check- inside the small yet sociable, warmly-lit and supremely polished reception lobby. It all feels incredibly private and exclusive and with the unpretentious and down to earth nature of staff, decidedly helps sets the tone of our stay.
Rooms and food offerings at Tosca – the hotel’s Michelin-starred contemporary Italian restaurant – are just as special with accommodation comprised of only 12 suites – all impeccably designed with oodles of floor space and spread out over six floors.
The hotel is part of the Roberto Naldi Collection, a family-owned group known for a mastery of injecting their luxury hotel properties in Europe (Splendide Royal in Rome and Grand Hotel Eden in Lugano) with homeliness and glittering Italian elegance. Here, they’ve expertly blended the building’s traditional and historical architectural elements with modern touches to create a seriously idyllic and romantic city honeymoon escape. Opposite the polished marble floors of the lobby you’ll find a small welcome lounge – perfect for pre-dinner drinks, and filled with plush antique chairs and sofa, books and oil paintings galore along with marble busts.
Staff including Cedric, Karla and Amin are ultra new age Jeeves types, always on hand to match friendliness with outstanding professionalism and service. It’s like staying with the most fun extended family, and you’ll genuinely enjoy getting to know them all. Collectively, their local knowledge is outstanding and you’ll want to ditch the guidebooks in favour of their Parisian recommendations on romantic walks and nearby attractions. A mobile phone instant messaging service on front desk is a godsend (night manager, Amin, brings up a pillow menu of down and memory foam on our first night) for those last minute requests with organising travel routes including using the train and metro services.
Suite dreams
You’ll be shown up to your suite, personally by staff via a lift just steps away from reception or can ascend via a hidden stairwell that snakes itself elegantly to each level. Silken comfort and luxury come in buckets and spades in our bright and airy junior suite with floor-to-ceiling windows helping light bounce off the white wood-panelled walls in living rooms and bedrooms and into which intricate floral motif designs are carved deep. Ceilings here are vast and positively palatial. After a busy day sight-seeing, you wont resist slumping into plush sofas in the living room, nor hitting a mini bar stocked with excellent wines before some late-night channel hopping on a 65-inch smart TV built inside a discreet wooden cabinet on the wall (there’s another one in the bedroom too by the way.) Part of the set up here includes an extra guest washroom and a cleverly concealed kitchenette tucked behind a polish cabinet, and which comes complete with a sink, full crockery, microwave, fridge and Nespresso machine
Thick plush cream carpets cushion tired feet, and eccentric antique porcelain sculptures, artefacts and vases alongside vintage books are artfully scattered into nooks and crannies. Opulent gold touches are everywhere; from the gilded framed beds with pillows and white sheets with gold cotton thread woven in, to cabinets and framed Tromp d’oil paintings on bedroom and living room walls. The small detailing doesn’t stop there either. Gold plug sockets, under-lighting for night lights and control switch panels for the entire suite are thoughtfully placed next to bedsides with USB A and USB C sockets too. Then there’s the matter of that whopping and grand, king bed sitting centre stage in the bedroom. Flanked on either side by pretty hand-painted bedside cabinets with clear glass antique table lamps on top, it’s suitably lavish with cushions and pillows piled high and a comfortable mattress you’ll positively crumple up into. It’s all excellently soundproofed with fancy high-tech long, draping curtains in rich creams and golds and billowing muslin all operated by touch only. You’ll have the best sleep of your life, guaranteed.
You’ll also fall in love hard with a separate dressing room area (spacious, plenty of wardrobes and excellent lighting over the built-in vanity table) and the adjacent, sanctuary-like bathroom. Bursting at the seams in marble, the bathroom comes in a calming neutral tone and features a walk-in monsoon shower, twin sinks and a deep bathtub promising you’ll emerging like royalty (albeit with severely pruny skin from irresistibly languorous soaks). Handily, hairdryers and straighteners along with huge fluffy bathrobes, towels and cork-heeled, recyclable all-natural cotton slippers mean you can pack light too. The focus on pampering continues with real loofahs and plenty Sothy’s and Roberto Naldi Invigorating Collection beauty goodies.
At night, views from our potted flauna and eucalyptus tree-filled balcony terrace are to-die-for. You’ll climb onto it to imbibe more Tattinger Brut Reserve on demand, while making the most of Paris’ iconic skyline and the spectacle of the Eiffel Tower’s nightly light show.
Eat
Behold the chandeliers and mirrored walls inside Tosca, a gourmand’s delight and where le petit dejeuner will no doubt have you expanding your culinary horizons with platefuls of French cheeses for breakfast alongside heaps of light-as-air pastries including pain au chocolat, croissants and panettone. Our table positively gleams with an array of freshly blended smoothies and plates of delicacies we’ve piled high alongside huge chunks of superb cheeses, smoked salmon, hams, cakes and crepes galore. The mimolette is delicious too.
Listed on the Michelin guide, prestigious chef, Paolo Ambrogio’s delicious and innovative Italian cooking at dinner reigns supreme – especially the regional-style turbot fish and veal shoulder dishes. Ingredients are only of the top-grade,
seasonal and locally produced variant. Home made farfelle and linguine is fluffy and pillowy soft, the wine list is awesome and naturally, the rich Italian coffees are to die for.
What You’ll Love
- Take a walk up to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré to see the president’s residence and you just may spot a host of international world leaders and their pals pop in for official state functions while sipping your coffee.
- The cosy La Loggia bar opposite reception is a trendy spot in which to sample cocktails and savour canapés before dinner.
HOW TO BOOK
Visit Hotel Splendide Royal, Paris
18, Rue du Cirque – 75008 Paris.
Prices from £734 for signature suites per night per room. To book, visit www.SplendideRoyal.fr/en
or email welcome@splendideroyal.fr or call +33143871010.
GETTING THERE
EasyJet flies from Birmingham to Charles De Gaulle, Paris from £43 each way. Visit easyjet.com
Honeymoon Dining in Paris
BATEAUX PARISIENS
So you’re in Paris for the honeymoon. What could be more scenic and romantic than a timeless river cruise down the Siene? For couples short on time, it’s a no-brainer, memorable way to experience the city’s history and culture in under two hours too.
Ready for an evening of dinner with a view – and as part of the Premier dinner cruise package – the moment we board the swanky Bateaux Parisiens at Port de la Bourdonnais (right beneath the Eiffel Tower) we’re handed
crisp glasses of champagne in the reception holding area before being shown to a window seat table at the front of the boat.
The food is top notch; a three or four course gourmet set menu consisting of canapés, starters, mains and dessert and as the boat takes off at 6.30pm for an hour cruise, we are served starters and drinks on the docked vessel first. From there it’s a magical journey down the famed river, eating good food, sampling free-flowing drinks and gliding past the city’s most impressive landmarks: the mighty Notre Dame, sprawling Louvre and elegant Grand Palais.
Dinner begins with an entree of your choosing: a heavy plateful of delicate smoked salmon with creamy avocado or an unapologetically decadent foie gras. Watching the Eiffel Tower in the distance is a heart-stopping moment, especially while tucking into a tasty and flawlessly French, pan-fried sea bass fillet main course. Because of the exclusive feel, both the main restaurant dining area inside and the outer decks never feel overcrowded, especially when you’re readying yourself for couples selfies.
And we cruised beneath several magnificent stone bridges, with intricate sculptures on their façade, including the Pont de la Concorde, the Pont des Invalides, and the Pont de l’Alma.
It’s a top ten Paris experience for a reason and will exceed every expectation you have of what a river cruise dinner can offer.
For more information, visit https://www.bateauxparisiens.com/english.html
MADAME BRASSERIE at the EIFFEL TOWER
There’s no better way than to see the Rues and hues of Paris come to life between sunset and nightfall than from 1000 feet above sea level from a fine dining table at Madame Brasserie inside the breathtaking, architectural wonder that is the Eiffel Tower. While the prices may not be cheap (nothing near or inside Gusave Eiffel’s 138 year-old masterpiece is) and you’ll need to book in advance, your reward is still affordable luxury at its best. Located on the second level of the tower, you’ll start your evening entering one of the world’s most iconic landmarks by way of a private entrance set aside exclusively for diners.
Legendary Michelin two-star chef Thierry Marx is at the helm, and while the dramatic establishment is renowned for its gourmet breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner adventures, you can pop in for snacks and cocktails too. Once past security, we are shown our table located at the back of the restaurant with views of the city and handed the set Gusave menu. All ingredients on the menu are locally sourced from within the Île-de-France region where Paris sits and our glamorous sunset dining journey takes flight with a simple yet wholly delicious shellfish Bavarian cream with crab, coral vinaigrette and fennel. Next it’s a main of sea bass served Grenobloise caper, lemon and butter sauce, cauliflower soup and baby spinach. It’s topped off with a show-stopping meringue and chocolate mousse for dessert. Our servers are smartly-dressed, friendly and prompt with the drinks refills. A magical evening for sure – especially since you can see Paris after dark and the Eiffel Tower glittering from within. Visit https://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/en/madame-brasserie/restaurant.html for more information.
CLUB ROOMS AIRPORT LOUNGES AT BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT
Beat the rush for seating and food kiosk queues in style at Birmingham Airport with lounge access via No.1 Traveller inside the gorgeous Club Rooms and which feels like you’re escaping the usual airport grind and instead, checking into a polished and glamorous boutique hotel. Located close to the main departure gates, it’s a stone’s throw from where you’ll board with strategically-placed flight screens so you can keep an eye on the clock.
Super fast Wi-Fi, charging points and digital newspapers come as standard, while interiors and decor seal the deal via warm mood lighting, velvet armchairs paired with sleek, low-slung dark wood tables, black wood panelling on walls and gold accents throughout. There’s a bathroom featuring a monsoon shower, glossy grey tiles and pristine white fluffy towels for a pre-flight freshen up too. Tasty Breakfast options on the A La carte menu include classic—smashed avocado on sourdough toast served with golden yolk poached eggs and hash browns cooked to perfection. The generous full English comes with sausages, bacon and mushrooms sautéed in butter. Coffees come richly brewed and – if you prefer – you can sink your teeth into freshly mixed Bloody Mary’s and mimosas too.
Staff are warm and professional and, since there is no buffet, you’re whisked to seats, handed menus and afforded excellent table service on tap too. Grab a window seat and you’re treated to fabulous views of the runway. Booking directly also offers automatic delay coverage —a thoughtful and welcome touch. Prices from £38 per person. Book via www.no1lounges.com.
EXTIME CONCIERGE SERVICE AT CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT, PARIS
Arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport is a breeze with Extime’s VIP meet-and-assist service and perfect for families wanting an stress-free and highly enjoyable airport experience. The moment we pull up outside departures, a friendly concierge is there to greet us; our luggage
is whisked away and expedited through baggage drop, we’re guided effortlessly through various fast-track check-in and bypass normal queues at security points in record time.
Inside Terminals 1 and 2BD, the experience continues with access to the premium Extime Lounge. A huge, airy, neutral-toned space flooded with light from floor-to-ceiling windows directly overlooking the airfield and complemented by oversized floral arrangements, the airport lounge itself is an oasis of calm and luxury. Seating and tables feel exclusive too with the addition of dark woods offset by cream fabrics, cubicles with partitions and the lounge divided up into a a series of separate rooms and a main, spacious dining hall to ensure privacy and to help you all relax and unwind before the flight. The food is plentiful and as much a centerpiece as the décor, with a delicious fresh salad bar, French cheeses, artisan breads, and a rotating selection of hot dishes and desserts, all complimentary. Soft and alcoholic drinks flow endlessly and the wine list is extensive. Staff are extremely personable and ready at the flash of a smile to assist. Throughout our stay, the concierge keeps us updated via WhatsApp, even coming to personally escort us to our gate when it’s time to board. With priority boarding included, it’s a seamless, stress-free experience. Prices from £75 per person. Book direct at
https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/services/extime-meet-and-greet
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