Back in
August I was invited to review the bar at the Mandarin Oriental in Paris, it
was a pretty magical experience, and in the height of summer the bar was a
tranquil oasis in a hot and busy European city. I’ve been to Paris three times
since August, and the last time I was very fortunate to be invited to review
the Mandarin Oriental hotel. I took my mum with me, and bought her Eurostar
ticket for Christmas as a treat. She’s done so much for me over the years and
we’ve never had a girlie weekend just the two of us, so we were both pretty excited.
August I was invited to review the bar at the Mandarin Oriental in Paris, it
was a pretty magical experience, and in the height of summer the bar was a
tranquil oasis in a hot and busy European city. I’ve been to Paris three times
since August, and the last time I was very fortunate to be invited to review
the Mandarin Oriental hotel. I took my mum with me, and bought her Eurostar
ticket for Christmas as a treat. She’s done so much for me over the years and
we’ve never had a girlie weekend just the two of us, so we were both pretty excited.
I already had
an idea of what the hotel would be like as I had a tour the same time I
reviewed the bar, however the experience of actually staying there was even more impressive. We
arrived on Saturday afternoon and as soon as the car pulled up to the entrance
the doors were opened, bags removed, and we were given a warm welcome. While we
waited to check in we sipped on champagne, before being taken up to our room.
an idea of what the hotel would be like as I had a tour the same time I
reviewed the bar, however the experience of actually staying there was even more impressive. We
arrived on Saturday afternoon and as soon as the car pulled up to the entrance
the doors were opened, bags removed, and we were given a warm welcome. While we
waited to check in we sipped on champagne, before being taken up to our room.
One of the
best things about the Mandarin Oriental is that the rooms are huge, especially
by Paris standards. I’ve been very lucky with hotels in Paris, as the Fraser Suites Le Claridge also had huge rooms. The Mandarin Oriental is quite
something though, it is every woman’s dream.
best things about the Mandarin Oriental is that the rooms are huge, especially
by Paris standards. I’ve been very lucky with hotels in Paris, as the Fraser Suites Le Claridge also had huge rooms. The Mandarin Oriental is quite
something though, it is every woman’s dream.
The attention to detail in the
design of absolutely everything is exquisite, with touches of pink and purple
everywhere (there’s even pink piping on the edge of the luxurious Frette bathrobes and slippers), subtle butterflies throughout the hotel, and fashion influences
everywhere you go – right down to the Chanel inspired floral wall in the spa.
design of absolutely everything is exquisite, with touches of pink and purple
everywhere (there’s even pink piping on the edge of the luxurious Frette bathrobes and slippers), subtle butterflies throughout the hotel, and fashion influences
everywhere you go – right down to the Chanel inspired floral wall in the spa.
Our room was
well appointed with large twin beds, a large Bang & Olufsen television that has a ‘curtain’
switching off effect (mum thought this was absolutely brilliant), a
well-stocked mini bar, complimentary water, chairs and a table, and a balcony
overlooking the beautiful courtyard where the bar is. The hotel is very tech
focused with touch light switch pads, and a mirror above the bath that turns
into a television, which comes complete with a fancy waterproof control.
well appointed with large twin beds, a large Bang & Olufsen television that has a ‘curtain’
switching off effect (mum thought this was absolutely brilliant), a
well-stocked mini bar, complimentary water, chairs and a table, and a balcony
overlooking the beautiful courtyard where the bar is. The hotel is very tech
focused with touch light switch pads, and a mirror above the bath that turns
into a television, which comes complete with a fancy waterproof control.
The bathroom
was one of my favourite things about the room, it was just stunning. Glamorous
and stylish, there were two parts to the bathroom, both separated by the
entrance hall. On one side was two sinks and the wardrobe, and on the other
side was a huge deep soaking bath (it’s so deep there’s a leather stool beside the tub to climb into it), toilet, and a very large walk in shower with
the biggest rain shower I’ve ever seen.
was one of my favourite things about the room, it was just stunning. Glamorous
and stylish, there were two parts to the bathroom, both separated by the
entrance hall. On one side was two sinks and the wardrobe, and on the other
side was a huge deep soaking bath (it’s so deep there’s a leather stool beside the tub to climb into it), toilet, and a very large walk in shower with
the biggest rain shower I’ve ever seen.
How cool are the floor tiles!?
The amenities
had me jumping up and down with joy – Diptyque. It’s rare that one word will
suffice to describe the bathroom amenities and you know that everyone will
understand exactly what this means. Pure luxury and beauty heaven.
had me jumping up and down with joy – Diptyque. It’s rare that one word will
suffice to describe the bathroom amenities and you know that everyone will
understand exactly what this means. Pure luxury and beauty heaven.
I slept very
well while we stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, which was no doubt helped by the
super soft and fluffy pillows. Mum didn’t sleep as well, but I think it might
be because she’s used to a soft bed whereas these were fairly hard.
well while we stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, which was no doubt helped by the
super soft and fluffy pillows. Mum didn’t sleep as well, but I think it might
be because she’s used to a soft bed whereas these were fairly hard.
Breakfast at
the Camelia café was a quiet affair, we were the only people in there around
9am, however a few more people appeared as we were leaving. The breakfast was
OK – there was plenty of choice in the buffet – I loved the granola and yoghurt, and the pastries were excellent. The poached
eggs however were slightly too salty for my liking, and mum wasn’t a fan of how
much the staff fussed around. She likes to just be left alone to eat, rather
than having someone next to her constantly trying to do things for her that she
can just do herself.
the Camelia café was a quiet affair, we were the only people in there around
9am, however a few more people appeared as we were leaving. The breakfast was
OK – there was plenty of choice in the buffet – I loved the granola and yoghurt, and the pastries were excellent. The poached
eggs however were slightly too salty for my liking, and mum wasn’t a fan of how
much the staff fussed around. She likes to just be left alone to eat, rather
than having someone next to her constantly trying to do things for her that she
can just do herself.
We tested out
the swimming pool and steam room on Sunday evening after our day walking all
over Paris, and were impressed with how calming and relaxing it was. A nice big
lap pool was complimented with dancing butterflies projected onto the wall at
the side, and the steam room was a decent size. Also the changing rooms were
possibly the fanciest I’ve ever seen!
the swimming pool and steam room on Sunday evening after our day walking all
over Paris, and were impressed with how calming and relaxing it was. A nice big
lap pool was complimented with dancing butterflies projected onto the wall at
the side, and the steam room was a decent size. Also the changing rooms were
possibly the fanciest I’ve ever seen!
Our stay was
magical, however there were a couple of things that were overlooked with the
design that I think are quite important. In the ‘sink room’, there was no rail
to hold the hand towel, so you had to just drape it over the side of the sink –
not great for drying a towel when it’s damp. The other major issue was that
there was no full length mirror. In such a feminine hotel you’d expect that they would understand the
importance of being able to see your entire outfit before you walk out the
door. It’s something that can be so easily fixed – all they need is a nice big
full length mirror in the entrance hall of the room! Check out my video below for a full room tour, and don’t forget to subscribe!
magical, however there were a couple of things that were overlooked with the
design that I think are quite important. In the ‘sink room’, there was no rail
to hold the hand towel, so you had to just drape it over the side of the sink –
not great for drying a towel when it’s damp. The other major issue was that
there was no full length mirror. In such a feminine hotel you’d expect that they would understand the
importance of being able to see your entire outfit before you walk out the
door. It’s something that can be so easily fixed – all they need is a nice big
full length mirror in the entrance hall of the room! Check out my video below for a full room tour, and don’t forget to subscribe!
Aside from those couple of things, I would recommend the Mandarin Oriental in Paris to anyone looking for a really special luxury hotel, especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion or want to treat yourself! And the location? In the most fashionable part of town right on the Rue St Honore; next to the flagship Chloé store, and just a stones throw from Angelina and The Louvre. Perfect!
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*We received two nights complimentary at the Mandarin Oriental, however as always my opinions are 100% honest.
Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of Content Marketing at Amazon by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.
What a stunning hotel! It looks like the perfect place to kick back and relax in luxurious surroundings after exploring Paris. Service in restaurants is such a personal one and difficult to get the balance quite right!
Lauren xx | The Lifestyle Diaries
I think those bath products will still sway it for me!
Looks like a beautiful hotel suite and I love the way you've captured all the detail of the room xx
The rooms do look like every girl's dream, right down to the Diptyque details (my favourite!)
Wow this place is pure luxury! x
Ooooh that looks so divine! You are giving me serious envy now. I was in Paris myself over the weekend, such a beautiful city. Your pictures are absolutely fantastic! Hotel looks just gorgeous!
You can't beat a TV in the bathroom and I love the Diptyque toiletries and the spa – such a lovely hotel
LOVE the Mandarin Oriental hotels – what a lovely treat for your mum! Also feel you captured the room really well and those floor tiles really are amazing. DIPTYQUE – hello??? spot on. But yes, agreed re the full length mirror, that's no fun! Lots of love, Andrea xxx
Andrea's Passions
Wow that looks amazing! I'm so jealous! Definitely need to put this on my to-do list! Lol
Wow, it looks like an amazing hotel. I've not stayed in a really nice hotel for some time, so would love to visit there (and Paris!)
Oh wow, what an absolutely stunning hotel, just everything about it is amazing x
Wow the hotel is just amazing! Oh I wish I could go on holiday now. The hotel is practically an Instagram worthy to take photos.
Oh my goodness Catherine, you've made me so jealous! What an absolutely beautiful hotel and you're totally right, every detail just looks perfect (I love those floral style pillows on the bed!). The room pictures definitely gave me a relaxing, almost spa-like vibe, something I could definitely do with at the moment x
Lovely place, indeed!
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/
I'd totally overlook those minor inconveniences for the loveliness of that hotel. Wow, wow, wow. Your photos are incredible, by the way.
It looks fantastic. I especially love the spa walls. Your photography is fantastic. I feel like I could just lean forward and eat those eggs! I especially like the white flower photo.
OMG That Place looks Luxurious,nice collection of photos..