An Exclusive Look Inside Paris’ Most Luxurious Hotels
The Dorchester Collection
The Dorchester Collection hotels will be well known to those who travel the world in style.
History, culture, and food are central to the DNA of these properties. Hotels and residences which span across Europe, USA and Dubai, with a property in Tokyo opening in 2028.
An invitation to experience Paris with The Dorchester, at their Luxury Roadshow, was quickly accepted. Before I knew it, I was on the Eurostar ready to represent Blend Group alongside an ensemble of luxury brands, premium agencies, and Dorchester representatives.
Le Meurice
190 years after its establishment in 1835 Le Meurice maintains its old-world Parisian elegance.
This was our first destination of the two night-stay. After being collected from Gare Du Nord train station we were luxuriously transferred to the hotel often referred to as the original Parisian palace.
We were gratefully greeted by the hotel staff and headed through to the Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse located next to the reception. A two Michelin star restaurant with an interior that resembles the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
This beautiful setting was matched by a cocktail lunch showcasing some of the finest contemporary French cuisine. Naturally a glass or two of Moët & Chandon perfectly paired the food.
Louvre Couture Exhibition
It was time to check in and explore the hotel, including the Deluxe Room which the Dorchester had kindly invited me to stay in.
As expected, the room continued the artistic theme shown throughout the hotel. Featuring a spacious washroom, serene colour palette, plenty of light, and some delightful drinks & snacks specially brought in for my enjoyment.
The hotel is just a 10-minute walk from our first excursion, a guided tour of Louvre Couture. Standing in the courtyard of Le Louvre was quite a spectacle – the history, architecture, and atmosphere was clear to see.
Couture is the first fashion exhibition in Le Louvre’s 231-year history. This was the hottest ticket in town with the exhibition featuring apparel and accessories from 45 designers, including well-known fashion houses like Chanel, Givenchy, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga.
A truly incredible array of artistic fashion ranging from contemporary pieces to a black and white Dior dress from 1949.
This visit to an iconic culture landmark set the tone for the experience and helped us feel at home in Paris.
The awe-inspiring Salon Pompadour
Following the incredible Louvre experience we took the short walk back to Le Meurice for some downtime.
I took this opportunity to explore the hotel and take in the history which had been eloquently outlined by the hotel’s Deputy General Manager, Christophe Chopineau, upon our arrival.
A standout element was the hallways on each floor which had their own identity but aligned with the overall look and feel of The Dorchester.
This was closely followed by Restaurant Le Dalí, a restaurant leading on from the hotel reception, which featured a large mirror in the corner of the room allowing guests to view the incredible ceiling from any point.
After freshening up in my room’s marbleized washroom it was time for dinner in the sparkling Salon Pompadour. A room featuring 19th century décor mirroring the rich heritage of Le Meurice.
The room focuses on a central long table, surrounded by intricate artwork and numerous shining chandeliers.
We were treated to a buffet-style selection of meals representing the locations of Dorchester properties.
This meal showcased Alain Ducasse and his three Michelin star rating. The standout for me was the Beef Wellington, closely followed by the Le Saint-Honore. All accompanied by a fitting live music performance which added to the grand setting.
Tired out by a fantastic first day in Paris and some of the best cuisine you could imagine, it was time to retire to my immaculate room and make the most of the blackout blinds.
One luxurious sleep later and food was top priority again. Restaurant Le Dalí had transformed into a bright setting for breakfast. Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse was also available, but I was keen to test Le Dalí for a wide selection of pastries and fruit (which did not disappoint).
Ducasse sur Seine – Michelin Star River Cruise
We checked out of Le Meurice after a short but sweet stay and headed down to the Seine via the Champs-Élysées.
Opposite the iconic Eiffel Tower we found ourselves boarding a sleek, all-electric boat made up of two layers. Greeted by a glass of champagne we headed to the top deck and enjoyed the Parisian sun whilst setting sail along the Seine.
The Ducasse sur Seine is a dining experience which takes you along the river whilst enjoying exemplary food. It had been privately hired by the Dorchester for our group.
The boat itself is modern and electric-powered, meaning it glides smoothly and silently along the Seine, we barely even felt a jolt the whole two-hour journey.
Floor-to-ceiling windows gave us uninterrupted views of Paris’ most recognisable landmarks whilst enjoying a multi-course meal that focused on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
I felt very lucky to experience this combination of cuisine and setting. It’s a simple but serene way to see the city differently, and a great option for those who value quality, privacy, and something a little out of the ordinary.
Hotel Plaza Athénée
Following our trip along the Seine we disembarked and took a short walk to our second hotel. Plaza Athénée is situated along Avenue Montaigne, a street which boasts numerous high fashion stores such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Fendi, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Chloe, Giorgio Armani, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana.
This collection of luxury brands gives you an idea of the great company the hotel keeps.
Heading through the elegant reception room we entered La Cour Jardin, the central courtyard of the hotel. In spring, this space blooms with greenery along the hotel walls. In winter, it hosts an ice rink making for a unique dining experience.
Champagne was once again shared amongst the group before the start of a surprise activity organised by the Dorchester Collective team.
We entered Le Bar, a sophisticated and clean cocktail bar which, when looking up, displays a stormy ceiling made of blue fabric.
The group gathered around a bar entirely made of resin and prepared for our surprise activity – a mixology masterclass.
This masterclass was led by one of the bar’s mixologists who had experience in the best hotels around the globe. We tested our skills in cocktail-making one-by-one from behind the bar, learning the science and service from the head mixologist as he dropped nuggets of information.
Naturally, the best way to make sure your cocktails are well mixed is by tasting along the way! Joking aside, it was a special opportunity to have this sleek room to ourselves and learn how to make cocktails to the Dorchester level of quality (or as close as we could muster).
Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée
Riding along the Seine and mixing cocktails meant we now had time for a well-earned break.
Again, I used this opportunity to explore the hotel and my room which was now ready to check-in to.
I had been treated to a bright and extremely spacious Junior Suite. These rooms feature a spacious living area, La Cour Jardin courtyard view, and the same chic splendour to match Le Meurice.
It would have been silly not to visit the Dior inspired spa in Plaza Athénée. When The Dorchester revamped their spa and gym, Dior stepped in to collaborate and create a stylish and relaxing space for hotels guests.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time for steam rooms and saunas as we had to get suited and booted for the final meal.
The location for this final meal was a Michelin-starred restaurant led by Chef Jean Imbert. The restaurant featured a long immovable marble table with further smaller tables around the circumference of the room.
Gilded interiors were a standout feature with exquisite chandeliers and intricate golden accents along the walls.
We were presented with a royal-looking menu which featured cuisine inspired by the great traditions of French gastronomy.
A four-course meal was topped off by a traditional unveiling of a large cake and an opportunity to visit the kitchen and speak to the chefs. Standouts for me were the Foie Gras and selection of desserts which, after two days of luxurious eating, were the icing on the cake.
To finish off a spectacular trip we revisited Le Bar which had now been transformed into a darker, private bar which was reserved for those few who wanted to enjoy a night of music and drinks away from the ‘limelight’.
Being hosted by the hotel itself meant we were lucky to skip the queue and enjoy the evening offering. It was a perfect way to finish the two days of luxury.
The Dorchester Collective Experience
A sleep in my gorgeous Junior Suite was welcomed after a tiring but unforgettable experience. In the morning it was time to say goodbye to the wonderful Dorchester representatives and head back home – Macarons in hand.
To be invited on such a trip by this prestigious hotel group was a privilege. Experiencing the beautiful city of Paris through the Dorchester lens was incredible and I could not speak highly enough of the staff who welcomed us into their home.
For those seeking a luxurious experience, Le Meurice and Plaza Athénée certainly tick that box. The former boasts a traditional atmosphere with Athénée owning a more contemporary feel.
Thank you to the Dorchester Collective Group and their representatives for organising this immaculate Luxury Roadshow.
Blend Group are proud to have a strong relationship with The Dorchester – if you would like to hear more about their hotels and combined experiences, get in touch with us today.
We also have an article outlining the UK property, Coworth Park. You can read that article by clicking here.
All images have been taken from an incredible video produced by Zen Film Works. The full video is available here.
