Le Bristol is a Paris institution and an incredibly special hotel. Its charming and quirky characteristics draw you in immediately. You won’t want to leave, but as soon as you do, you’ll long to return.
The hotel’s fluffy white house cat (Socrate, who wanders the halls), nautical-themed pool, La Prairie spa, and multiple Michelin-starred restaurants with impeccable service all make Le Bristol one of our favorite properties in the world.
For many, Paris inspires thoughts of macarons, shopping, and the Eiffel Tower, but for us, Le Bristol embodies the spirit of French elegance. Located in the 7th Arrondissement of Paris, it’s just steps away from the high-fashion shopping district, the Champs-Elysees, and the Élysée Palace — the residence of the French President.
We arrived at a gorgeous suite with an adjoining sitting room. What stood out to us were the pristine antiques placed around the room. However, it’s not stuffy and heavy, but more light and airy compared to other hotels we’ve experienced. We were also welcomed by Le Bristol’s own champagne from a small Champagne house as well as their in-house made chocolates.
Not only does Le Bristol have a total of four Michelin stars between their two restaurants, but they have a beautiful complex kitchen and laboratories behind the scenes. The team at their in-house chocolate atelier crafts impressive and intricate bespoke chocolates with unique flavor profiles.
The in-house bread program is also outstanding, spearheaded by one of the top chefs in Paris, Eric Frechon. One of the first things you might taste at a restaurant is the bread. Chef Frechon recognizes that this first impression is just as important as the rest of the meal, and Le Bristol Paris is the only hotel in the world that mills its own flours daily for all of the bread using ancient heirloom grains. The taste and quality of the bread are outstanding and each one has a different characteristic. The hotel’s viennoiseries are also some of the best in Paris.
- Le Bristol Paris Polenta Croque Monsieur Recipe
- Le Bristol Paris Stuffed Hazelnut Spread Madeleines Recipe
This is the kind of hotel you won’t want to leave, especially in a busy city with too many international tourists. We spent the afternoon being pampered in the Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie. Then in the evening, we enjoyed the live piano music and drinks at Le Bar du Bristol. The bartenders even remembered Clayton’s cocktail order the next day. After dinner, you won’t want to miss Bristol After Dark, with late-night Champagne, cocktails, small bites, and DJ music.
We had dinner at Le Bristol’s 114 Faubourg restaurant. The service and food were excellent. With one Michelin star, the food and service far surpassed our 3-Michelin star experiences in the United States. With options for a tasting menu or individual dishes, you’ll find a choice of delicate seafood, pasta, game, and more. Learn more here about our dining experience.
We can’t wait to go back to our Paris home at Le Bristol, and we hope you can make it your home as well on your next trip to Paris.
Note: Le Bristol Paris provided support for the reporting of this story.