Paris

Six things you’ll only find at Mandarin Oriental, Paris

by Madévi Dailly / Oct 31, 2019

There’s no shortage of luxurious boltholes in Paris, but when it comes to dashing good looks and pitch-perfect service, only the best can stand out. Proud of its official ‘Palace’ status, Mandarin Oriental, Paris is among the capital’s top addresses. With a Michelin-starred restaurant, Art-Deco inspired design and a sultry spa, it ticks all the right boxes for a Parisian getaway. There are plenty of surprises up its sleeve, too. From a dog-as-concierge to a tranquil secret garden, here are six of its USPs, just waiting to be discovered

The Parisian Apartment

If you’ve ever harboured fantasies of living in Paris, this light-flooded super-suite is the dream made real. Dressed in soft chocolate and caramel hues, The Parisian Apartment sprawls across four bedrooms and two airy living rooms. Dinners are hosted on a striking marble table, the setting for intimate feasts prepared by Michelin-star chef Thierry Marx in the apartment’s well-appointed kitchen. Best of all is the dizzyingly large rooftop terrace planted with magnolia and maple trees, a verdant retreat fit for rock stars and royalty, high above the activity of the city.

The detox fine dining option

In a city that takes no umbrage at lashings of butter and cream, the focus on clean eating at L’Honoré comes as a breath of fresh air. Here, chef Thierry Marx’s celebrated cuisine takes a walk on the lighter side, with a healthy menu spanning wholesome breakfast, lunch and teatime options. Detox dining needn’t be a sacrifice: graze on a colourful poké bowl or opt for a vegan burger with pickled pearl onions. If you can’t resist a sweet treat, bite into the Tarte Myrtille-Violette, pastry chef Adrien Bozzolo’s sculptural and light-as-air take on a blueberry pie.

The dog concierge

Furry fans of Paris will find a kindred spirit in Archie Lewoof, a diminutive border terrier with insider knowledge of the most dog-friendly spots in town. Mandarin Oriental, Paris’s resident canine has become something of a local lifestyle expert: he flaunts luxe collars from nearby Goyard and is a regular at Café de Flore. Dogs who stay here can enjoy biscuits, a stuffed toy and a personalised mat embroidered with their name. And, should they get restless, they can hit a nearby park with a seasoned dog walker.

The luxe shopping experience

Perfectly poised between the jewellers of Place Vendôme and Hermès’s glitzy flagship store, Mandarin Oriental, Paris makes a cosseting base for shopaholics on a mission. Treat yourself to the Shop like a Parisian experience, a heady programme starting with a freshly squeezed energy drink at the hotel and ending with a restorative spa treatment for weary feet and legs. Take inspiration from The Parisienne’s Notebook, an exclusive guide to the city’s ateliers and hidden gems that’s yours to keep, before hitting rue Saint-Honoré’s tempting boutiques for a spot of hands-free, VIP shopping.

The courtyard garden

Linger a while on Camélia’s luxuriant terrace, a secret urban garden that’s at its most seductive come twilight. It’s a tranquil, tucked-away spot away, where in-the-know Parisians head for superlative cocktails and the babble of its sleek black fountain. Hide away in elegant draped pods, kitted out with white leather banquettes and gentle heaters, for year-round catch-ups on the latest gossip. In the summer, nab a seat in the garden’s oversized bird cage, a perch from which to sample French cuisine with a hint of Japanese flair.

The Guerlain Spa Suite

Mind-and-body treatments at the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Paris take place in seven suites, and range from massages designed to ease the strain of using digital devices to the skin-nourishing, pomegranate-steeped Paris Passion treatment. For a serious beauty boost, book into the one-of-a-kind Guerlain Spa Suite, an intimate space with a vitality pool for two. Tailored treatments make the most of the skincare brand’s scientific expertise and pampering know-how: try the Imperial Oriental treatment, combining an orchid-infused Guerlain facial with a signature massage.