Rates: from €350 per night
Added extras: la Table du Lancaster, the two Michelin-starred restaurant
Services: wifi, restaurant, bar and fitness room
The devil is in the details and the Lancaster is a stellar example of such mastery. This hotel off the Champs-Elysees has managed to maintain an atmosphere which is both full of soul and feels suspended in time. It might have something to do with its history; it has welcomed many famous celebrities including Marlene Dietrich, Robert Capa and Grace Kelly in the past – all of whom have left some mark on the Lancaster of today. An extensive renovation in 2012 allowed the place to shed its skin and make the full leap into modernity.
The decor is charming – not overly ostentatious, elegant and one hundred per cent Parisian. Think antiques, stylish furniture, crystal Baccarat chandeliers and classic fabrics paired with contemporary materials like nickel and glass.
All 45 rooms and 11 suites are nuanced and sophisticated, with a glorious colour palette of blues, bronzes, pinks and champagne. Take the violet tones of the Marlène Dietrich suite (it was her favourite colour), which go perfectly with the wool carpet and grand piano. Or the top floor with its expansive view onto the Eiffel Tower.
Don’t miss la Table du Lancaster, the hotel’s two Michelin-starred restaurant. Dishes are classic with modern twists, with eccentric chef Julien Roucheteau rustling up a ten-course tasting menu. Prepare for your tastebuds to be wowed.