Mandarin Oriental Paris: A chic enclave located in the world's most upscale shopping street

Travel is officially back with a vengeance. If you’re looking to splurge while visiting the City of Lights, we’ve got you covered

Credit: Mandarin Oriental Paris
Credit: Mandarin Oriental Paris
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A chic enclave located right in the heart of Rue Saint-Honoré, the Mandarin Oriental Paris is a contemporary hotel that serves luxury in a modern way. If you stay here, you’ll be hobnobbing with a crowd that’s a mix of Mandarin Oriental devotees, celebrities and the fashion crowd, thanks to its proximity to one of the world’s most upscale shopping streets.

Credit: Mandarin Oriental Paris

Unlike the old world glamour of the other Palace-rated hotels, the Mandarin Oriental has a contemporary and modern design, housed in a unique ‘1930s building with Art Deco-inspired architecture — giving you the best of both worlds. If you stay here, you know you’re getting the Paris of the present and not the one of the past.

Credit: Mandarin Oriental Paris

While there are certain expectations when it comes to staying in a luxury five-star chain hotel, there can be a tendency to feel lost or anonymous in such a space. The Mandarin Oriental is not that. With 135 rooms, the property is not small by any means, but the layout makes the hotel feel cosy, private and never intimidating. Its discreet entrance also ensures privacy for all guests, making it the perfect place to stay if you want to indulge in five-star luxury, but still fly under the radar.

The Rooms

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Elegant, and artistic but never fussy, the rooms are spacious for a Parisian hotel with decor details in the rooms and corridors inspired by artworks of Man Ray, the acclaimed American photographer who made ‘1930s Paris his home. Photographs by Iranian photographer Ali Mahdavi can also be found adorning the walls as statement art pieces. While the decor variates from each room, in general, it’s a warm colour palette with hints of gold, burgundy or purple — reminiscent of the opulent lobby that greets you when you first step into the hotel.

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During our time there, we stayed in the Duplex Suite, a room that overlooks the garden and contains a bedroom, adjacent bathroom, separate powder room and living room. The bed is soft and swathed with 500-thread count linens, ensuring a decent night’s sleep if you stay here. The bathroom also comes equipped with a Japanese toilet with a heated seat, which will surely come in handy if you book your stay in the winter. It also comes with Diptiqye amenities, which was definitely a nice touch!

The Facilities

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While Paris has no shortage of Michelin-starred restaurants, the hotel houses one of its very own within the property itself. Sur Mesure by Thierry Marx has two Michelin stars and is designed like a cosy cocoon, great for guests who want a unique atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city. For those who want to dine in greenery, there is Camélia, a quaint restaurant where you can enjoy your breakfast in the garden.

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Other facilities include the Cake Shop for sweet treats, Bar 8 for a late-night tipple, and a spa that boasts a 14-metre indoor pool.

The Neighbourhood

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If you love spending hours on foot and getting lost in this charming city, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a location better than this. Located in the 1st arrondissement, rue Saint-Honoré is a picturesque stretch that has a little bit of everything that gives Paris its chic and luxurious reputation. From high-end designer boutiques such as Dior, Chanel and Louis Vuitton to popular restaurants like Le Castiglione that are perfect for people-watching, this is one neighbourhood that’s safe and lovely to explore, especially if you’re a solo traveller.

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If shopping isn’t your thing, there are also many key attractions that are within walking distance. The city's great museums such as the Louvre, Musée des Arts décoratifs and the Jeu de Paume are all only mere minutes away by foot. You could even go on a sightseeing tour by visiting Place de la Concorde, Place Vendôme to take in the stunning architecture or enjoy a picnic at the Tuileries Garden.

Editor’s Tip

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Try to book a room facing the indoor garden if you plan to wake up to a gorgeous view of greenery every morning. We would give fair warning that Bar 8 on the terrace can get quite noisy on weekends (it’s a key watering hole in the city) — but it is worth it though!

Mandarin Oriental Paris
Address: 251, Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
Vibe: A modern and contemporary hotel that’s a shopaholic’s dream
Price: $$$$

 

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