Since its grand reopening last summer following four years of renovations, I’ve been dying to spend a night at the Hôtel de Crillon. This year I finally had the pleasure of spending 24 hours inside this stately building, which has hosted movie stars, heads of state, and billionaires. It has now regained its place at the forefront of Parisian hotels and is working its way up the rankings of the world’s most luxurious establishments. Let’s take a look back on a night which will forever remain etched in my memory!
If, like me, you’re a fan of historic buildings, then The Crillon is for you! Constructed in the 18th century to symbolize Louis XV’s power before becoming the Duke of Crillon’s residence, this building is truly majestic. Standing on the Place de la Concorde, the hotel benefits from an exceptional central location. As soon as we stepped out of our taxi, we looked up to admire the splendid facade, classified as a French Monument Historique.
A few seconds later, the porters hopped into action and gently guided us into the hotel. No impersonal reception desk here – instead, we were taken to a beautiful, cozy office full of antique charm for a customized check-in. Our greeting was incredible, one of the best I’ve ever seen; the personnel was approachable, professional, precise, and efficient, so flawless it left me dumbstruck.
Unheard of Luxury and Attention to Detail in the 124 Rooms and Suites
The Hôtel de Crillon houses 124 rooms, including 36 suites and 10 signature suites that are the perfect embodiment of the French way of life. We settled down in the Premier Suite, which at 57 m² gave us plenty of room. It included a living space, with wood paneling lending it a warm glow, and a separate bedroom. I absolutely loved the sophisticated ambiance, a mix of period style with the latest modern comforts such as the television integrated into the bedroom mirror. A marble bathroom was the finishing touch on our little paradise. But what really blew me away was the attention to detail helping us to feel at home, an absolute luxury that’s sure to please.
The following morning, I ordered room service for our breakfast in a matter of seconds (no need to leave your order on the door in the evening, you can call directly at any time of day!). Twenty minutes later, our food was laid out on the living room table. Once again, the Hôtel de Crillon outdid itself with an exquisite breakfast: the pastries were excellent, just like every other dish, a delight for the taste buds and one of the best breakfasts in the French capital.
Renewal Following a Colossal Refurbishment
After a meticulous four-year renovation, the Hôtel de Crillon re-opened in July 2017 under the leadership of the American Rosewood group. This icon of French-style luxury needed a rejuvenating makeover, a challenge undertaken by architect Richard Martinet, who has been at the helm for a number of historic Parisian hotel renovations. He managed to enhance the building while respecting its heritage and soul. Aline Asmar d’Amman undertook the artistic direction with a team of four interior designers, and together they brought a touch of contemporary fashion to the hotel, all while maintaining its original style. They were 100% successful from my point of view!
A Prestigious Urban Spa
In the mid-afternoon, I headed to the spa Sense, a veritable oasis of relaxation. I was astounded by the pool, covered in 17600 golden scales! The Crillon pulled out all the stops with this unbelievably luxurious spa, and there’s no better color than gold to show off its prestige. It’s an absolutely magical place with its large fireplace and chaises longues, where I spent an hour lounging about with a book.
The spa offers unheard-of treatments, with a range of rituals from generations past that have since been forgotten. It also proposes Sense massages inspired by ancestral traditions from around the world, like the 90-minute Tibetan massage I selected. Based on an acupressure technique that stimulates the meridians, it was one of the most relaxing treatments I’ve ever received, and I felt the positive effects for the rest of the day.
A Feast for the Taste Buds
The Crillon is also impressive when it comes to haute cuisine. First off, there’s the gourmet restaurant L’Ecrin, awarded one Michelin star, whose chef Christophe Hache offers refined dishes in an intimate ambiance of only 24 place settings. In 2020, it was chef Boris Campanella who took over the reins of this beautiful gourmet restaurant. For a more informal lunch or dinner, the Brasserie d’Aumont is the place to go, and it was our choice for the evening. In a luxurious Parisian brasserie, chef Justin Schmitt serves typical French cuisine with traditional dishes that have been enhanced for modern tastes.
The menu offers several timeless options, including deviled eggs, steak tartare, and other standard brasserie fare, but we chose among the more creative dishes: the chef’s burger with a brioche bun, smoked beef, Saint Nectaire cheese, fried shallots, and pimenton de la Vera for my husband, and an Aveyron rack of lamb with miso-grilled eggplant and sesame for me. As for dessert, we succumbed to a red berry tiramisu that caught our eye! In the summer, the brasserie sets up tables in the inner courtyard, but unluckily for us it was raining during our stay.
The Brasserie d'Aumont has closed its doors to make way for a new concept in collaboration with the famous chef Paul Pairet: Nonos & Comestibles. This French grill offers delicious and generous dishes in a great atmosphere.
Another area to explore is the Jardin d’Hiver, the perfect place for tea time with delicious pastries from chef Pablo Gicquel, all presented in a beautiful environment (It's now pastry chef Matthieu Carlin who delights us!). One of the best rooms in this jewel of an establishment is the bar, Les Ambassadeurs. We enjoyed a pre-dinner drink there and absolutely loved its sophisticated look, with subtle lighting and live music, truly a gem where we took in a delicious cocktail accompanied by foie gras canapés.
The Verdict
I have to admit, the Hôtel de Crillon was my personal favorite during our three-week getaway in Paris. It’s a majestic, prestigious place, an icon among luxury hotels both in Paris and worldwide, and I was enchanted from the moment I left my taxi until my departure. This timeless establishment has remained fresh throughout the years, and the service is beyond reproach. Props to the gastronomy on offer, a delight both in terms of locations and the dishes served. The spa is another asset, thanks to its unusual treatments and superb golden pool. A prestigious place that stands among the best establishments in all of Paris.
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Practical Information
Thank you to the Hôtel de Crillon for the invitation to explore their establishment. Of course, the content of this blogpost was left entirely up to me!
About Florence Consul
Editor of Experiences Luxe since 2015, I love discovering new exclusive and authentic experiences all over the world. I left my home country (France) 6 years ago to become a global citizen, traveling 365 days out of the year. I am a foodie person and I make a point of tasting local specialities.