A grand dame in Paris, the Hôtel Plaza Athénée stands out among the City of Light’s luxury destinations for its location on famed shopping street Avenue Montaigne. Built in 1913, the lodging, with its distinctive red awnings, opulent decor, and unparalleled service, has been a home away from home for fashion designers, models, movie stars, and other A-listers. A series of renovations, including new decor by designer Marie-José Pommereau, has kept the Dorchester Collection hotel as relevant as the day it opened. The beloved restaurant Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée draws foodies from around the world, and at night the cocktail bar is the place to be. Not to mention, the legendary hostelry has been featured in TV shows and films like Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada.
Guests staying at the hotel adore the suites that command a view of the Eiffel Tower—these are undeniably the crème de la crème. Of all of them, Eiffel Suites 361 and 878 are the most requested. While 878 sports an Art Deco–inspired contemporary design with modern furnishings in browns, beiges, and baby blues, 361 features a more classical French-palace ambience. The latter offers 1,400 square feet comprising a living room, bedroom, dressing room, and marble-clad bathroom. In the living room, gray walls and elaborate moldings form the backdrop for Louis XIV chairs upholstered in rose-pink fabric, two dark gray velvet sofas, a glass-top cocktail table with silver-leaf details, a chandelier decorated with black tassels, and silk curtains. A grand piano and a writing desk with a view of the Eiffel Tower add an extra touch of elegance. Natalie Portman and Jude Law are just two of the notable guests who have stayed in Suite 361, and you can join their ranks for $3,883 per night.
25 Avenue Montaigne, Paris; dorchestercollection.com
