Located in the heart of the iconic Golden Triangle, the Bulgari Hotel Paris brings a touch of Italian flair to the epicenter of French haute couture. Its 76 expansive rooms and suites decorated with the finest Italian furnishings provide a quiet and luxurious urban escape.
Entering our room, we were stunned by the fully stocked bar (with full size bottles of premium spirits and wines from the Bulgari family estate, Podernuovo a Palazzone), the sprawling sectional sofa, library of interesting books, and walk-in closet. The bathroom is the largest we’ve ever seen in over a decade of writing about luxury hotels, and it bears repeating that the room was quiet. In a city known for its small hotel rooms and poorly insulated albeit charming windows, the expansiveness of the rooms and absence of street noise are truly remarkable. The bed was equally expansive — we’re convinced it was a full two meters — and was one of the most comfortable we’ve ever slept in.
Also remarkable is the stunning indoor pool in the lower level of the hotel. With luxurious and sleek modern loungers and jewel-toned tiled walls highlighting a water feature, the space combines the best of modern architecture and Bulgari’s iconic design language.
We frequent the Bulgari Hotel Milano, which has long been a home away from home in Italy, so it was lovely to experience the Parisian iteration of their dining experience, Il Ristorante – Niko Romito. Featuring authentic Milanese specialties served on an eclectic assortment of Ginori china, if it weren’t for the chic Parisian clientele at dinner you could be convinced you were in Italy. The restaurant also offers a formidable list of Italian and French wines, which is noteworthy as we have found truly artisanal Italian wines surprisingly hard to come by even in neighboring France. It was heartwarming to see our humble and talented friend Elio Sandri featured on their list.
A final point is that if you’re traveling with children, Bulgari Hotels will go out of their way to make sure they’re well looked after the entire trip. The size of the rooms makes them naturally conducive to family travel, and the various amenities offered for kids make them feel every bit as pampered as their parents, and the service is so personalized that the doormen will remember your kids’ names.
If you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to France and looking for Parisian Belle Époque charm, the Bulgari Hotel is unlikely to tick that box. But world travelers who demand a sophisticated base in any city they visit and expect the best of the best, it’s hard to go wrong with this modern masterpiece. You could perhaps get the best of both worlds in the Penthouse Suite, which marries stunning Italian design with Eiffel Tower views!
Note: Bulgari Hotel Paris provided support for the reporting of this story.