VISIT – THE HÔTEL DE CRILLON, WHERE EXCELLENCE IS IN THE DETAILS (France)
A legendary address in the capital, the Hôtel de Crillon invites you on a sensory and cultural journey where every space reveals a subtle and demanding art of hospitality. |
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VISIT – THE HÔTEL DE CRILLON, WHERE EXCELLENCE IS IN THE DETAILS (France)
A legendary address in the capital, the Hôtel de Crillon invites you on a sensory and cultural journey where every space reveals a subtle and demanding art of hospitality. |
Category: Europe - France - Industry economy
- Tourism
Article written by Romane Le Royer on 2025-05-15
 The Hôtel de Crillon, on the Place de la Concorde, stands majestically in its kingdom.
Photo credit © Hôtel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel
For several decades, the hotel was a residence for high society and the court, where Marie-Antoinette is said to have spent special moments, gazing out over what was then the Place Louis XV. The building, constructed in 1758 by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, architect to the kingdom, was initially owned by the State before being sold to architect Louis-François Trouard and becoming a private mansion in the name of the Duke of Aumont. Thirteen years later, the mansion was sold to the man who would go down in history: François-Félix-Dorothée des Balbes de Berton, Duke of Crillon. The mansion remained in the Crillon family until 1906, except for a period when it became ‘national property’ for the revolutionary French state due to its strategic location on the bloody Place de la Révolution, whose central monument, before becoming an obelisk, was once a guillotine.
The Hôtel de Crillon was inaugurated as a tourist attraction in 1909, after extensive renovations initiated by its new owner, the Société des Grands Magasins et Hôtel du Louvre. Throughout the 20th century, the Crillon was at the heart of events: a meeting place for the leaders of the Triple Entente, the signing of the League of Nations pact in 1919, and an infantry headquarters during the Occupation. For nearly 30 years, the property was sometimes a luxurious tourist oasis, sometimes a theatre of history.
In 1973, the hotels of the Louvre group, including the Crillon, were grouped together under the subsidiary Concorde Hotels & Resorts, owned by the Taittinger family, then passed under the Starwood banner in 2000, before finally being sold in 2010 to a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family. The property closed its doors in 2013 after joining the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts group for extensive renovations. It reopened in the summer of 2017 and was awarded the Palace distinction a year later, in 2018.
Le Journal des Palaces stepped inside this discreetly luxurious setting, which reveals its precious secrets of excellence to those who linger within its walls.
A gastronomic experience combining heritage and creativity
The Les Ambassadeurs bar is an excellent introduction to the world of the Hôtel de Crillon. An iconic venue, it is now more than just a bar, but a legendary lounge. Beneath its 18th-century frescoes, in an atmosphere that is both theatrical and intimate, guests can enjoy signature cocktails, works of art created with ingredients that change with the seasons, as well as exceptional spirits and wines. In the evening, live music or DJ sets infuse this historic space with contemporary energy, where elegance rhymes with excitement.
The Jardin d'Hiver, a true haven of serenity, offers an elegant, bright setting that opens onto the palace's inner courtyard. The venue is particularly popular for tea time, where Chef Matthieu Carlin's pastries are served alongside finger sandwiches and rare infusions in a delicate setting. A pleasant atmosphere to enjoy a gourmet break at any time of day.
Two creations by the famous Chef Paul Pairet: first, Nonos, which offers a different take on a ‘French grill’ in a neo-Art Deco setting with graphic lines and noble materials. Here, the Chef celebrates generous and accessible cuisine, with express lunch menus, just like at your local bistro, but revisited with his gastronomic expertise. Beef tartare, ‘grilled veal liver with bacon, parsley and mustard’, ‘sixties-style scallop gratin’, rice pudding... every starter, main course and dessert pays homage to comfort food, without ever compromising on precision.
Comestibles complements Chef Pairet's offering with a snack counter inspired by old-fashioned grocery stores. Here you'll find oysters, ‘œufs mayo’ (eggs with mayonnaise), ‘avocat cantine’ (avocado salad) and the traditional croque-monsieur (or madame). In a simple yet chic atmosphere, the service is smooth and relaxed, whether for lunch, dinner or an aperitif.
The discreet Michelin-starred restaurant L'Écrin, nestled in the heart of the palace, is a gourmet restaurant for lovers of fine cuisine. The food and wine pairing gives way to wine and food pairing, with ingredients chosen to complement the nectar selected by head sommelier Xavier Thuizat, Meilleur Ouvrier de France and Meilleur Sommelier de France. The restaurant also offers a non-alcoholic service, with combinations based on tea and coffee. The menu, created by Executive Chef Boris Campanella, is divided into five or seven courses, with flavours such as ‘eel & Provence broad beans’, ‘foie gras from the Landes’ and ‘passion fruit soufflé’. All this in a cosy setting with wood and cream tones, away from the noise and bustle, perfect for dinner.
The latest addition to the Hôtel de Crillon's extensive culinary offering, Butterfly Pâtisserie embodies sweet chic in its purest form. Behind the glass display case of this sleek counter, you will also find the creations of pastry chef Matthieu Carlin, designed as works of art. From morning pastries to sophisticated desserts, each piece reflects technical expertise and a keen aesthetic sensibility. In the streets of Paris or in the heart of the Butterfly Room tea room, guests can enjoy a ‘Tahitian vanilla and milk jam millefeuille’, a ‘strawberry and rhubarb tart’ or a ‘chocolate, cookie, pecan and caramel centre barquette’.
French refinement, from comfort to character
The 124 rooms and suites at the Hôtel de Crillon, ranging from 32m2 to 335m2, embody the French art of living in all its subtlety, becoming true havens of refinement in the heart of the capital. Combining 18th-century heritage, contemporary design and ultimate comfort, they offer a Parisian aesthetic that is both timeless and warm. From classic rooms to signature suites, each space bears the mark of discreet elegance, enhanced by an exceptional attention to detail.
The rooms at the Hôtel de Crillon combine the charm of history with the elegance of contemporary comfort, from the Deluxe category to the Junior Suite. Decorated in powdery tones, with period wood panelling, delicate mouldings and noble materials, they offer an intimate atmosphere with views of the courtyard or the streets. Every detail, from the linen sheets to the Carrara marble bathrooms, reflects the high standards of French art de vivre, discreet yet refined.
The 36 Suites at the Hôtel de Crillon offer a vision of luxury hospitality where service and style go hand in hand. Antique furniture, works of art, old fireplaces and custom-made dressing rooms create spaces designed as authentic Parisian apartments. Some suites open onto private balconies, others have separate lounges or spacious bathrooms bathed in natural light. A lived-in elegance, never ostentatious, at the heart of a place steeped in history.
The highlight of the show are the Signature Suites, with ‘Les Ateliers d'Artistes’ (the artists' studios): the Poet, the Painter and the Writer, as well as the Bernstein, Duc de Crillon, Louis XV, Jardin and Marie-Antoinette suites. Opening onto a large terrace overlooking the Place de la Concorde, the latter is decorated in powdery shades of white and beige. Inside, there are myriad details reminiscent of the queen, from her sculpted bust to the constellation of pearls in a drawer, Marie-Antoinette having been a great collector of mother-of-pearl.
During the 2017 renovation, Karl Lagerfeld, commissioned by Aline Asmar d'Amman, who was the artistic director of the project, designed two Signature Suites, or ‘Grands Appartements’. Far from typical 18th-century décor, the couturier wanted to infuse them with a free style, combining custom-designed furniture, sculptural marble and original photographs. The spacious rooms are enhanced by fine materials in a palette of greys, whites and blacks, punctuated with touches of silver. The large living room, designed as a private gallery, opens onto the dark marble bathroom, which is designed as a separate space in its own right.
A sanctuary of relaxation and pampering in the heart of the palace
A confidential refuge nestled in the basement of the Hôtel de Crillon, Sense, a Rosewood Spa, covers more than 500m2 dedicated to well-being and relaxation. Its mineral setting, in a soothing palette of natural stones, houses a spectacular 14-metre-long swimming pool, lined with onyx walls and lit by a luminous fresco evoking the movement of water.
The spa has three individual treatment rooms and a brand new room designed in collaboration with EviDenS de Beauté. The treatments are also created by the Franco-Japanese company specialising in high-performance anti-ageing care, and Maison Caulières, an artisan brand that celebrates the benefits of vegetable oils and botanical active ingredients from French agricultural traditions. Tailor-made massages, facial rituals, drainage and exceptional treatments are provided by a team trained in expert techniques. The space also offers a sauna and hammam for a complete sensory experience.
In addition to the spa, Le Crillon offers a fitness area with a bright gym equipped with the latest Technogym connected machines, with personalised coaching options available on request. A David Lucas hair salon welcomes guests for high-end hair services in a discreet and refined salon adjacent to the spa. A manicure and pedicure area also offers beauty treatments. All of these services combine to create a truly comprehensive wellness experience, designed to meet the needs of a discerning international clientele, whether they are staying for an extended period or taking a precious break between appointments.
Staying at the Hôtel de Crillon is much more than discovering a palace: it is entering a place where every space tells a story, where every service is designed with rare attention to detail, and where every detail celebrates French elegance. Between heritage and modernity, discretion and excellence, the hotel embodies a vision of luxury that is both subtle and vibrant. A world suspended in time, in the heart of Paris, for those who know how to recognise beauty in the invisible and savour time in its most beautiful nuances.
 Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Adrian Houston / L'Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
 Photo credit © L'Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
 Photo credit © Hôtel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel
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