BACKGROUND Opened at the end of 2010 in the former home of Prince Roland Bonaparte – Napoleon’s grandnephew – and restored by architect Richard Martinet with interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon, this property is Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts group’s first step into Europe, to be followed by another in London next year.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? When the taxi passed the open wrought-iron gate and pulled up at the entrance of this hotel, it felt more like I was visiting the mansion of some prominent family. It was near Christmas when I visited and the neoclassical lobby was brightened by sparkling Christmas trees, adding a sense of home to the hotel. Not all the property was built in the 19th century – part of it was added decades later but Rochon has done a great job in keeping a consistency of tone and atmosphere. There is something to muse over at every corner, and simply walking up the marble staircase to the carefully restored function rooms feels like time travel. Service is impeccable – every member of the staff is helpful, knowledgeable and warm.
WHERE IS IT? Located in the city’s 16th arrondisement, the hotel is a five to ten minutes’ walk from Trocadéro, where one can find the Palais de Chaillot, a line-up of decent bistros and a major metro station for lines 6 and 9. The Champs-Élysées is also at a walkable distance of about 20 minutes. The beauty of this location is that while the surroundings are quite low key, you’re not far from the action.
ROOM FACILITIES I stayed at one of the five premier duplex suites, Room 305, measuring 75 sqm. The upper level, from which I entered the room, was a modest living area perching over the oversized bedroom with a king-size bed, big work desk, a vanity table, as well as two very big windows with a view of the Eiffel Tower. In fact, I could see it from my bed – definitely a quintessential Paris experience. The walk-in wardrobe led me to the marble bathroom with a big tub as well as a separate shower area, and flat-screen TV. The eight sockets are in European style, but there’s an adaptor in the drawer. Wifi is free throughout the property without the need for a password.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS Breakfast is a la carte and served at La Bauhinia, which is marked by its glass cupola. This space was once a roofed conference facility but the architect has done a really good job in re-creating it. Service is impeccable but the food was a little hit-and-miss: the fried eggs were rather overcooked – the yolks were hard – and the salt was unevenly placed. A very tough piece of garlic peel got into the sautéed mushrooms, but the serving staff promptly changed it after seeing me having to pick the peel out of my teeth. They also changed the eggs for me after hearing my comment, but the new ones were not as runny as one would expect from a sunny-side-up order. The other two restaurants are French gourmet outlet L’Abeille and the hotel group’s Shang Palace. From what I have been told, the Cantonese food served there is authentic and has not been modified to suit the European palate. There is also Le Bar, a cosy but rather pricey place for wine and cocktails.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES The Louis XVI-style Le Grand Salon with many details preserved from the Bonaparte days, such as engraved imperial crowns, symbols of bees and lion heads, is 136 sqm and can hold 150 people for stand-up cocktails. Le Salon de Famille, where Marie Bonaparte used to play her music, is 98 sqm while La Salle à Manger is 96 sqm. The three can be combined, together with the foyer, into Les Salons Historiques measuring 550 sqm. There is also the 245 sqm Salon Roland Bonaparte and foyer.
LEISURE FACILITIES A small fitness centre is available on Level F3 and is open around the clock. A trainer can be booked during the day. Spa treatments can be enjoyed in guests’ own rooms until the opening of the Wellness Area. A 16-metre indoor swimming pool with natural daylight and an adjoining outdoor teak patio will be completed by the end of this year.
Verdict A truly special experience, with great service to match. I would love to come back to try the property again when the wellness facilities are open, and when I might have more time to try L’Abeille.
Reggie Ho
HOW MANY ROOMS? There are five categories of accommodation: 23 superior, deluxe or premier rooms, 11 Eiffel premier rooms, 16 deluxe, deluxe pavilion, premier or premier duplex suites, eight Eiffel premier, Eiffel duplex or Eiffel duplex terrace suites and three signature suites – La Suite Chaillot, La Suite Shangri-La and La Suite Imperiale.
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS Built in a former Bonaparte residence, every room or suite is custom-designed and a stay here makes you feel like a dignitary.
PRICE A mid-week stay in mid-March starts from US$1,066 per night, a duplex suite starts from US$1,800.
CONTACT 10 Avenue D’Iéna, tel +33 (1) 5367 1998; www.shangri-la.com
