Experience Luxury Redefined at Mandarin Oriental Paris in the Heart of Paris with World-Class Dining, Exclusive Wellness, and Art Deco-Inspired Room
For over 60 years the Mandarin Oriental has been established as one of the world’s great luxury hotel brands. The Mandarin Oriental, Paris, is a jewel among the city’s 13 Palace hotels, known for its contemporary decor and modern global feel. Nestled just steps from Place Vendôme and Jardin des Tuileries, this hotel, part of the prestigious Asian luxury group, and offers a refreshingly modern take on Parisian luxury.
The low key lobby, with its leafy courtyard garden and massive windows, fresh Oriental style flower arrangements and butterfly motives instantly transports guests to a modern metropolis where Mandarin Oriental tradition is tastefully blended with contemporary luxury. This hotel is unapologetically unParisian, fresh and modern.
The hotel’s gleaming boutique spa, expansive 24-hour fitness center, and breathtaking fourteen metre indoor lap pool provide guests with diverse options for relaxation and leisure.
For me, my first impression of The Mandarin Oriental Hotel In Paris was one of curiosity and a little confusion – this was a a very different Parisian Palace Hotel experience. I stayed in winter with my daughter, one of my favourite seasons in Paris, and the mix of extraordinary Christmas decorations, the icy indoor garden, abundant fresh flowers, and an extraordinary Parisian location was a heady mix of luxury, fun and excitement for both of us.
At times staying at The Mandarin Oriental Paris it felt like staying at a very VIP private club, which we liked.
The lack of typically French decorations and features replaced by clean lines and modern designs was a little surprising at first, but the modernity of the hotel, and the fresh feel grew on the me the longer we stayed and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and was saddened to leave.
Rooms and suites boast sleek, modern interiors with views ranging from the serene, leafy courtyard to panoramic views of iconic city landmarks and the prestigiously fashionable Rue St. Honoré. and the abundance of top end designer shops and wonders it has to offer on the door step.
In-room amenities like silk bedspreads, separate showers and tubs, showers fitted with steam facilities in some suites, a pillow menu, and large windows enhance the luxurious experience. The suite we stayed in really came into its own given how icy it was outside. Ideal in winter.
Though some seasoned guests find this Mandarin Oriental less grand than its global counterparts, the staff’s exemplary service, the concierge team’s expertise, and the delightful cuisine and drinks at the restaurants and bar consistently impresses visitors.
For us the whole stay was a joy to behold., and one of the bonuses was being able to walk absolutely everywhere rather than order ubers. This is chic, understated glamour as its very best.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
The Mandarin Oriental, Paris, offers a contemporary luxury experience that artfully combines modern amenities with subtle historical references.
One of the best features is a welcoming glass of Louis Roderer champagne on arrival, and a couple of gorgeous petite snacks. It set the tone for a truly indulgent stay and meant we revelled in the floodlit lobby, quickly soaking up the MO vibe.
Made me wonder why more high end hotels around the world let alone Paris do not do this. Especially when rooms and suites are not yet ready. Talk about the perfect way to set the scene.
The Mandarin Oriental’s brilliant location, indoor courtyard for coffee, snacks or champagnes, wellness facilities, and luxurious suites make it a standout choice for discerning travellers seeking a unique Parisian stay in the heart of the very affluent and elegant shopping area.
Style: 9/10
The decor at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris is a modern interpretation of luxury, blending contemporary design with subtle nods to Art Deco and French haute couture. There is plenty of glitz and glamour, but it is subtle.
The vibrant mix of natural light, white walls, gold, taupe, magenta, and splashes of feminine pink/plum , contemporary glamorous angular lamps, comfy goose-down duvets, and rich amaranth wood furnishings create a stylish, retro elegance for hotel guests.
There are elegant little private booths on the ground floor which were handy in the early morning for businessmen making global calls as they could sit in peace and not disturb other guests, and also handy when hotel guessts hosted visitors from outside the hotel. All very private yet elegant.
Location: 9/10
Perfectly located in Paris’s 1st arrondissement, the hotel offers easy access to the city’s most prestigious attractions, including Place Vendôme and Jardin des Tuileries, making it an ideal location for exploring the heart of Paris at any time of the year. It is a few minutes walk from Le Madeline, as well as the Louvre and is about 45 minutes from the airport in an uber.
The Mandarin Oriental Paris is the ideal place ot stay during the lauded and much hyped soldes periods (sales) in both June and January when dedicated shoppers can step out and about fro weeks and shop the luxury branded reductions as much as they like and return to the hotel numerous times or have the stores deliver – and it is all just so close.
Some of the city’s (and the world’s) most popular fashion brands including Chanel, Dior, Balmain and Goyer sit just metres away from the Mandarin Oriental. Even if you’re not a shopper, the people watching is entertaining and everyone is on trend.
Food and Beverage: 6/10
Under the culinary direction of French chef Thierry Marx, the hotel’s dining options are broad. Breakfast is elegant and understated with a two part combined buffet of fresh offerings including meats and yoghurts at the entrance to the restaurant and then fruit, vegetables cereals and pastries on the iddle buffet, and a hand held menu offers to-order options including croque -monsier as well as fabulous dim sum, which given our shared passion for South East Asia – we loved.
Camélia offers all-day dining as well as a cake shop in the entrance, a huge global trend right now within luxury five star hotels, and all in a relaxed garden setting. L’Honoré provides a more casual ambiance for smoothies and poke bowls. The great thing about the menus are there are Asian offerings, reflective of the Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage as well as very Parisian dishes, and plenty of child friendly selections.
The room service menu is sensational again wiht mixed global offerings and the presentation is impeccable and involves a table cloth, fully set portable table, a flower in a vase and a beautifully laid out meal or snack. We loved this.
Bar 8 is a chic place to be seen, with en elegant marble bar as its centrepiece, and glittering walls inlaid with magnificent crystals. Gorgeous cocktails, champagnes by the glass and wines are available and it was packed every night of our stay.
Health and Wellness: 9/10
The hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness centre, accessible 24 hours is in the basement is designed beautifully mainly in white with flowing Chanel inspired 3D floral designs cupping the walls down the stairs into the basement facility.
The indoor 14 metre swimming pool, along with the bespoke treatments at The Spa, provide guests with a holistic approach to health and wellness.
The equipment at the gym is excellent. It is modern, and there is plenty of it. The pool is absolutely stylish and beautiful. A luxury in Paris, the tiling alone is a site to behold. This was a welcome joy every morning during my stay for me.
Rooms: 9/10
The 135 rooms, designed by Sybille de Margerie, exude contemporary luxury with a retro flair. Every detail has been thought through but it was the two storey design of our suite complete with study desk upstairs and the jaw dropping floor to ceiling views across Paris that has us bursting with excitement – and had us not wanting to leave the suite. the sheets were 500 thread count – wow, and we both slept very soundly.
The room designs feature abundant natural light, and a mix of grey, gold, taupe, magenta, and soft, rich fabrics.. The bathrooms are absolutely striking and filled with rich, white marble. Highlights include huge velvet bedheads with Man Ray’s The Kiss and opulent bathrooms with bespoke beauty products.
The room was very tech savvy with a fabulous Bang & Olufsen television and touch light switch pads, and a sensational mirror above the bath that turn into a television for long soaking sessions. Superb after a day walking the streets of Paris.
Plush bath robes, gorgeous gourmet teas, a coffee machine, and the sensational hamam/steam room within the shower cubicle complete with oversized rain head shower was sensational. We used it daily as were there in the middle of winter – and we also noted the fabulous Japanese toilet. What a luxury to enjoy.
Sustainability: 8/10
The Mandarin Oriental, Paris, demonstrates a commitment to sustainability through its choice of natural materials, energy-efficient systems, and support for local artisans and suppliers. Gorgeous artworks can been seen throughout the hotel and include sculptures, installations and paintings.
Renae says:
Who should Stay here: Couples or families.
Who shouldn’t Stay Here: If you are looking for quintessential Paris in a hotel this is not that.
Location: In a fabulous area walking distance to some of the best shops, restaurants and galleries Paris has to offer.
Best culinary delight: The glass of champagne on arrival – gorgeous.
The Highlight: The indoor garden even in winter was a deligthful place to unwind and have a cool outdoor break.
The lowlight: I would have liked an additional restaurant within the hotel.
Overall, Mandarin Oriental is a modern hideaway in the heart of Paris. I know luxury travellers who adore it and others who wont stay as it is not French enough for them for a palace hotel. We had a delightful stay, and it received a tick from my teenage daughter, and teens can be tough critics.
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