Hotel Lancaster

By Jessamyn Embry

At the Hotel Lancaster, the beauty is in the details: from the hand-cast bronze room numbers and fresh flowers in every bedroom to a hint of “Contemporel,” the hotels own line of scent on crisp linens. Renovated in 2004, the hotel is constantly evolving and the property’s vast collection of antiques and artifacts ensures that no two rooms are alike. New additions to the rooms include iPod docks, wifi access, and flat-screen television.

For the ultimate in lxury, we recommend a stay in the Emile Wolf Suite, complete with a baby grand piano whose keys have been touched by countless stars. Former guests of the Lancaster include Noel Coward, King Umberto of Italy, Marlene Dietrich (who was a resident in the 1930s), Grace Kelly, and Ewan McGregor.

Just a heartbeat away from the Champs Elysees, the Hotel Lansacter offers the ultimate blend of luxury and intimacy. With only 46 rooms and 11 suites decorated with an eclectic mix of 17th Century antiques and modern works, you’ll feel like you’re staying in a private residence, rather than one of the world’s leading hotels.

Tucked into the famous Golden Triangle shopping district in the 8th Arrondissement, the Lancaster is ideally situated for amassing one’s own collection of luxury goods. After a blustery winter day at the shops, be sure to warm in the Grand Salon, sampling the Hot Chocolate Menu, which features cocoa from around the globe. If your sweet tooth still isn’t satisfied, check out Paris is for Lovers of Chocolate, a guide to the city’s top chocolate shops.

A stay at the Lancaster isn’t complete without dinner at La Table du Lancaster, the hotel’s unique restaurant. The fusion of old and new throughout the hotel is highlighted in three-Michelin-starred Chef Michel Troigros’ one of a kind cuisine. The fixed price menu is organized into six themes (witty, zesty, piquant, sharp, green, and sour) creating an unforgettable dining experience.

HOTEL LANCASTER

Originally published in Art du Voyage’s Travel Notes, Winter 2007 (Special Edition: Valentine’s Day in Paris)

7, rue de Berri

75008 Paris