Background
Fraser Suites is an extended-stay brand from Singapore-based serviced apartment and residence company Frasers Hospitality, which comprises five-star properties in more than 70 cities, including Singapore, London and Sydney. This Paris property opened in 2006 and occupies the Le Claridge building, built in 1914. Renovations began in August and will be completed in January.
Where is it?
On the Champs-Elysées in the city’s 8th arrondissement, on a section close to the Arc de Triomphe. There are four metro stations within a ten-minute walk, and it is within walking distance of the Place de la Concorde and Tuileries Garden.
What’s it like?
The renovations meant that, at the time of my visit, I was unable to appreciate the Belle Epoque façade, which was wrapped in film. The welcoming doormen, however, maintain the property’s five-star credentials. Lifts and stairs take you to the open-plan lobby on the first floor, which has a 24-hour reception. The property surrounds a peaceful, open-air courtyard, so you can still get a taste of the Haussmann architecture.
The layout of the building means the 117 apartments are labelled by letter (A, B, C, D, E) and have different lifts. The main lift from the ground floor provides access to A; the other lifts are located to the right, past the breakfast room.
Check-in is from 3pm and check-out at 12pm. Staff are helpful – accompanying you to your room and calling ahead of check-out to ask if you need a transfer or help with your luggage.
Rooms
The studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom accommodations range from 35 sqm to 170 sqm, and come in three options: Deluxe, Executive and Premier. When I visited in October, 21 of the suites had just been renovated. All apartments include well-equipped kitchens with a microwave oven, coffee machine, kettle, toaster, induction hob, a small dishwasher, a large bottle of water and cooking equipment. Amenities include a safe, iron and ironing board, umbrella and hairdryer.
I stayed in a newly renovated one-bedroom Premier suite on the third floor in section A, which features beautiful contemporary design with wood herringbone floors, a grey colour palette and plenty of white marble. These suites normally have fantastic views of the Champs-Elysées but my floor-to-ceiling windows were covered in a wrap during my visit. This obstructed some natural light, but the room’s numerous light fixtures kept it feeling bright.
Suites have a lounge area with a large dining table and sofa bed facing a flatscreen TV, a separate galley-style kitchen, a toilet separate from the bathroom, and a large bedroom. The bathrooms are the most lavish part, with white marble tiling, a soothing rain fall shower, a separate bath and L’Occitane products in both large-size dispensers and recyclable small bottles. The large bed was soft and sumptuous, and I had a heavenly night’s sleep. I found it easy to work at the dining table and there are USB ports and plug sockets throughout the apartment.
My visit coincided with a power cut from 11.30am to 2.30pm. This was well-publicised in the public spaces and via a piece of paper slid under my door.
Food and drink
There is no restaurant, but breakfast is served daily from 7am-10.30am (until 11am on weekends) in a small room on the first floor, which is quite cramped. There’s a good spread of pastries, cold cuts and hot dishes, but the price is steep at €29 per person.
Meetings
There is a business centre and a 65 sqm meeting room on the first floor.
Leisure
There is a 24-hour gym for guests on the first floor.
Verdict
This aparthotel has a coveted address, friendly staff and spacious apartments. My visit was ill-timed due to renovation works. Apartments overlooking the courtyard are recommended during this period of renovations.
FACT BOX
- Best for A comfortable night’s sleep in a beautiful room
- Don’t miss Relaxing on a lounger in the open-air courtyard
- Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in December started from €490 for a Studio Deluxe Suite
- Contact 74 Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris; +33 (0)1 44 13 33 33; frasershospitality.com
