Shangri-La Paris: Sit-down registration with welcome drink!

© yohanes.budiyanto, 2013

Shangri-La Paris is the group's debut and first foray in Europe. After a lengthy search for the right candidate, owner/billionaire Robert Kuok finally settled for a former mansion / palace once belonged to Prince Roland Bonaparte, the grand nephew of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. The beautiful palace is also the last Napoleonic Palace in Paris, having been built between the period of 1892 - 1896 on an unrivaled and enviable location at Avenue d'Iena, not far from Trocadero, Palais de Tokyo, Musee Quai Branly and Champs Elysees. It boasts the best and quintessential view of Paris: the Eiffel Tower, just across the Seine river.

Similar to Kuok, I also made a lengthy research on all 5 star Parisian hotels through google map to check the location, proximity and best angle for a hotel room with uninterrupted view of Eiffel Tower; and I found Shangri-La Paris is actually the closest to the tower and therefore clearly unrivaled. Ironically, Prince Roland Bonaparte hated the tower as it was an eyesore for him, so much that his own Master Bedroom faced the opposite side. To me, this is the million dollar view, and no visit to Paris should be legitimate before staying at one of the hotel rooms or suites with an Eiffel view!.

Despite the central location nearby all the tourist attractions, the hotel is a palatial heaven of calm. Inside, it is so serene that you immediately feel transported back to the past, and living the princely life of a Bonaparte. The architecture is so jaw-droppingly breathtaking that I was completely in awe everytime I passed through its amazing historical public areas. You could have mistaken it for being part of the Louvre, Versailles or even Notre Dame! It is nothing I have ever seen in my life in a hotel; and it is truly befitting that the hotel is the group's flagship property.

Everything about the hotel is of top quality and perfection. I might not be a fan of the Shangri-La group in the past, but this hotel alone has completely changed and restored my confidence to the group. It is simply the best, and not only it could give Four Seasons George V (FSGV) a run for its money, it actually beats FSGV on almost all aspects: architecture, decor, view, amenities, technology, and service.

FSGV is legendary, but I found the service at Shangri-La was better: it was highly personalized, classy without being snotty, responsive, unobtrusive, and impeccable. Check-in was done at one of the dedicated Historical lounges off the entrance and guests are treated to a relaxing sit-down registration with welcome drink of choice served. It truly sets a nice and welcoming tone to the stay, of which was absent at the FSGV.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the level of service to be consistent across the board. I was greeted by my last name, and they give you this warm and genuine smile, something I dreamed of becoming reality from Shangri-La's famous slogan: Service from the Heart. It finally happened!. When one day I mistakenly ordered pancake instead of waffle, the Assistant Manager insisted to change it to what I initially wanted, to which I refused (from wasting the pancake). She even gave gentle reminders if I found it unsatisfactory and wanted to switch back to waffle, she would be happy to arrange one for me. It was clear that everyone understands customer satisfaction; and strived to ensure guests had the most enjoyable stay. Even the porter was so hospitable that it was really pleasant to chat with him while waiting for the taxi to the Left Bank. Most porter I met seemed to be quite pretentious and tips-hunger. At Shangri-La Paris, I felt completely at home.

The food was superb. Shangri-La is one of the few hotels to have a list of popular Asian food in Paris. The month of August coincided with the Summer break, and it is unfortunate that most Michelin rated restaurants are closed, including two of the hotel's Michelin-rated establishments: L'abeille by Phillipe Labbe (2 Michelin); and the Shang Palace by Frank Xu (1 Michelin). That said, food at both La Bauhinia and room service was exceptional. The Thai food, especially Pad Thai is so delicious that I ordered it twice within less than 24 hours. I have heard about the rave reviews about the Cantonese food at Shang Palace, and it is among my top list for my next visit to Paris. Breakfast food was also amazing. It was served at the spectacular, oval-shaped La Bauhinia in a duplex setting. The Egg benedict with truffle was perfectly cooked and it was heavenly. European hotels really have taken luxury to a new height. During my European trip, there was always caviar, foie gras, truffle, lobster and champagne on daily basis for more than two weeks.

Rooms and Suites at the Shangri-La are all beautifully decorated. Interestingly, it was designed by the same designer who was also in charge of redesigning the Four Seasons George V (and also Prince de Galles Paris, Four Seasons Park Lane London, Four Seasons Florence and The Savoy London): Pierre-Yves Rochon. I might not be his biggest fan, but I found what he did at the Shangri-La Paris is very exceptional. My personal preference and style usually gravitate around the modern and simplistic elegance of Tony Chi, Jaya Ibrahim, Andre Fu, Peter Remedios, and Super Potato; but I really like the sheer elegance he brought to the Shangri-La Paris.

The Eiffel Terrace Suite has a view to die for, and an expansive terrace boasting amazing views over Paris' most famous landmarks. It is so large that it could host an outdoor party!. Shangri-La Paris not only offers modern conveniences that are lacking at FSGV, such as electric blinds, mood-lighting, bedside console panel and heated towel rack; but it also provides other conveniences such as extra large safe, Yukata robe, Shangri-La signature aromatherapy home fragrance diffuser, complete set of bathroom amenities (Yes, even toothbrushes, razors et al), and a first-of-its-kind Ipad holder by the bathtub!. It really goes beyond creating an exceptional accommodation, but also the most enjoyable one. In each bathroom, a separate mini amenities pouch for the ladies is also provided, containing essentials by L'Occitane. Bathtub is huge by the window with pillow provided for greatest comfort. Shower compartment is equipped with the pre-requisite rainforest shower head (which is missing in FSGV), and water pressure is expectedly strong. Ad Notam TV by the mirror seems to be an industry standard for top hotels nowadays, and is also present here on the mirror by the twin vanities. The only thing missing is one of those smart Japanese toilets, the Toto Neorest.

Shangri-La Paris is truly a spectacular hotel. It is technically a Palace category hotel (currently only bestowed to Park Hyatt Paris Vendome, Four Seasons George V, Plaza Athenee, Le Meurice, Le Bristol and Raffles Le Royal Monceau). If not for Atout Paris' requirement for 2 years consistency rating for all new 5 hotels applying for Palace category, this is technically a Palace hotel to me!. It is currently my best hotel stay of the year, even though I have stayed at many upper tier suites during most of my travels this year. A visit to Paris is not complete without a stay at the Shangri-La Paris for me now. There is no better comparison of staying at an historic place steep in French history bearing the Bonaparte name than the Shangri-La. It's perfection!.

UPDATE 2014:
* The Shangri-La Paris has finally been awarded the Palace status in July 2014 together with the Mandarin Oriental Paris, making them part of only eight hotels in Paris with Palace distinction.

* 2 Michelin Star L'Abeille has been voted as The Best Restaurant in the Virtuoso's 2014 Best of the Best Hotel Awards

PERSONAL RATING:
1. Room: 95
2. Bathroom: 90
3. Bed: 95
4. Service: 100
5. In-room Tech: 90
6. In-room Amenities: 95
7. Architecture & Design: 100
8. Food: 95
9. View: 100
10. Pool: 90
11. Wellness: 90
12. Location: 100
13. Value: 95

Overall: 95.00

Compare with other Parisian hotels that I have stayed previously:
THE PENINSULA, PARIS: 95.00
PARK HYATT PARIS-VENDOME: 90.00
FOUR SEASONS GEORGE V: 85.38

My #1 ALL TIME FAVORITE HOTEL
LANDMARK MANDARIN ORIENTAL, HONG KONG: 95.38

SHANGRI-LA PARIS
10 Avenue d'Iena
Paris
Awarded Palace Status (2014)

General Manager (current): Alain Borgers
General Manager (as of 23 Sept 13): Stefan Bollhalder
Executive Assistant Manager: Frederic Madre
Executive Chef: Phillippe Labbe (2 Michelin Star)
Head Chef (Shang Palace): Frank Xu (1 Michelin Star)

Architect (circa 1896): Ernest Janty
Architect (Renovation 2010): Richard Martinet
Interior Designer: Pierre-Yves Rochon

Hotel Opening Date: 17 December 2010
Heritage Listed: Historical Monument (2009)
Notable Former Owner: Prince Roland Bonaparte
Total Rooms: 54 Rooms (including 14 Eiffel Rooms)
Total Suites: 24 Suites (including 8 Eiffel Suites)
Signature Suites: 3 Suites (Suite Chaillot, La Suite Imperiale and La Suite Shangri-La)
Bathroom Amenities: Bvlgari White Tea
Restaurants: 3 (2 Michelin L'Abeille; 1 Michelin Shang Palace and La Bauhinia)
Bars and Lounges: 1 Bar and 3 Historic Lounges
Meeting & Banquets: 3 Historical Monument listed Salons and Salon Bonaparte
Health & Leisure: 24 hours Gymnasium and 15x6m indoor swimming pool

www.shangri-la.com/paris

Taken on: January 1, 2013

Tags:

Palace Hotel

Atout France

Paris

Avenue d'Iena

Prince Roland Bonaparte

Napoleonic Palais

Belle Epoque

Eiffel Tower

Richard Martinet

Pierre Yves Rochon

Heritage Listed

circa 1896

L'abeille

Michelin Star Cuisine

Shang Palace

La Bauhinia « less

Sets appears in: • Shangri-La Paris

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