Perched on the corner of Rue François 1er since 1920, with Chanel, Dior and Céline amongst its discerning neighbours, the Hotel Grand Powers is polished, Parisian and absolutely beautiful. Art-deco on the outside and powder pink, celadon green and blue on the inside, it's a peaceful oasis in the Golden Triangle, and rooms are on the spacious side by Parisian standards (for all the shopping, we might guess). After long days, recuperate in the Thala Spa, complete with hammam, sauna and Jacuzzi, pull up a pew in Cafe 52 for a craft cocktail and excellent people-watching, or retire to your balcony and gaze at the Eiffel Tower twinkling ahead.
The piece de resistance is the original sculpted staircase that survived the renovation, alongside the black-cabochon stone floor and a gilded 1920s clock that still hangs in the dining room. At Café 52, there's a surprising number of vegetarian and vegan dishes to choose from, Asian-influenced, healthy and delicious. The intimate bar nook is powder-matte pink, pours La Vie en Rose and is a fabulous spot to watch the ladies of Paris go about their days. Down in the old stables, the Thala Spa is marble-clad and serene.
The rooms and suites are spread over six floors. Light, bright and supremely elegant, you'll find marble fireplaces, herringbone oak floors and discreet televisions behind panels and mirrored cabinets. Bathrooms are white marble, (brass in the Junior Suites) and there are gorgeous Diptyque toiletries throughout. Junior Suites have a proper sitting room area and the top-floor suites frame the Eiffel Tower through double windows.
The location, in the heart of the Golden Triangle and right on the Rue François 1er, is fabulous. Avenue Montaigne is 300 metres from the door (Dior is at number 30 and Jacquemus at 58) whilst the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is four minutes down the same avenue, and the Arc de Triomphe only a few minutes walk. Once you've shopped enough, pop into Palais Galliera, a few blocks west, for an insight into the city's fashion history and then pop into one of many velvet-clad, neighbourhood bars for a cocktail.
Half the rooms interconnect and you can book a whole floor, so a family of six stays together rather than scattered about. Rare in the Golden Triangle, where the grand hotels would rather you brought fewer relatives.
A yoga mat comes standard, and the concierges will send you off along the Seine for a run as Paris wakes up. Ask them about Chez Savy for dinner rather than the avenue's obvious tables.
There's no lounge area on the ground floor to spread out in, so book a Deluxe room or a Junior Suite and take advantage of the extra space.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Hotel Grand Powers can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made France trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended France trips featuring Hotel Grand Powers or get advice and suggestions from one of our France specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Hotel Grand Powers start from around $220, or US$220, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Postcard-perfect architecture, world-class food and wine and all that unapologetic, effortless glamour.
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