In short… A storied hotel with a colorful past exudes elegance without taking itself too seriously.
The vibe…. Entering Le Meurice feels almost like stepping into a version of Alice in Wonderland set at Versailles. The lobby is a shiny mix of gilded moldings, mirrored French doors, and marble columns accented by two contemporary art pieces – first, a sixish-foot tall sculpture called “The Kiss” by Zoulikha Bouabdellah (imagine two ornate white columns twisted in embrace) and an oversized frosted mirror, designed by Phillipe Starck, which guests are invited to draw or write on with their fingers (an especially big hit with kids). The hotel’s signature mix of modern art and 18th-century grandeur is owing both to the hotel’s rich history with artists like Salvador Dali and two refurbishments, in 2007 and 2016, by French designer Philippe Starck.
The backstory… After an extensive renovation in 1858, Le Meurice became a favorite with contemporary artists – Picasso held his 1918 wedding reception to Olga Khokhlova at the hotel, and most famously, Salvador Dali stayed at the hotel for a month each year, even bringing along his pet ocelot, Babou. Fittingly, when Starck collaborated with his daughter, Ara, on the 2016 updates, they continued adding modern elements like draping a 1,500-square-foot hand-painted tapestry by Ara over the ceiling of the Dali restaurant, and replacing the traditional Louis XVI-inspired chairs in Le Meurice’s restaurant with Knoll white leather Saarinen Tulip chairs.
The surroundings…. Located on Rue de Rivoli, and between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, Le Meurice is a perfect base if sights and luxury shopping are on your agenda in Paris. Plus, it’s just a minute’s walk from the historic tea room and patisserie, Angelina (tip: the line forms early on weekends – be prepared to wait), so enjoy a Mont-Blanc and then walk it off in the Tuileries Garden, directly across the street.
The rooms… While each room in the hotel is different, they share the public spaces’ combination of French classicism with touches of contemporary design. My dreamy suite on the 5th floor housed a cozy sitting room with slanted ceiling and pink de Gournay wallpaper. Another sofa in the main bedroom was placed beneath a crystal chandelier, and two juliette balconies opened up to a peaceful courtyard. The bathroom floor and walls were covered in gray and white Italian marble, and three stained glass windows illuminated the bath.
The food and drink…. The hotel has two restaurants – the more relaxed Le Dali, and the Alain Ducasse, two Michelin-starred Le Meurice, which is an opulent space inspired by the Salon de la Paix at the Château de Versailles. True to the property’s spirit, Starck designed and added decorative stainless steel room screens covered in sketches and photographs. Breakfast was the only meal I had here, but it was a stand-out—from the decadent bread and pastries by Cedric Grolet to the most elegant (and delicious) eggs Benedict I have ever seen.
The wellness… Along with a well-appointed gym, the Valmont spa (the only one in the city) offers facials and treatments featuring products from the luxury Swiss skincare brand. I have extremely sensitive skin and generally avoid facials, but decided to take a calculated risk and booked one here. I’m so happy I did – not only was it a thoroughly relaxing hour but, according to a friend, it literally made my skin glow. I can say I’m now officially a believer and am actively rationing my remaining samples.
Be sure to…. Have a cocktail at Bar 228, the hotel’s classic, old-school bar with dark wood-paneled walls and a frescoed ceiling dating from the early 1900s.
Date of stay… April 2025
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