Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome

Behind the classic Haussmann-era façade is an art packed oasis of urban chic. Rather than trying to mimic a historical era, the Park Hyatt decided to focus on the contemporary. The hotel is hidden behind the meticulously restored listed facades of five office buildings, one of which had to be raised more than a metre during the renovation. Super nearby Place Vendome has long been a Parisian hot spot. First under Louis XIV whose statue dominated the square until the Revolution. It was replaced by Napoleon’s likeness. Later Napoleon III made the rue de la Paix the most fashionable street in Paris. It is the most expensive property in the French edition of Monopoly and has been home to famous jewelers, including Cartier, and maisons de couture. The house of Paquin had their shop at number 3… now part of the Park Hyatt. The entrance, originally a carriage way, is very discreet, as is the rest of the hotel. Check-in is located at the back to preserve a guest’s privacy; just one example of Ed Tuttle’s incredible attention to detail. Everything is extraordinarily well thought out. Rooms are large and comfy with great attention to the things that matter. Light switches make sense (how many times have you wasted precious vacation time trying to figure how to turn off room lights!) The gold taps reference the famous local jewelers… fancy (never tacky) but also easy to turn on and off. Art is one of the Park Hyatt’s four pillars (along with fine dining, culture and great service); right from the start it was incorporated in the grand design scheme. Sculptress Rosaline Granet was commissioned to make the bronze door handles, lamps and fixtures which are found throughout the hotel. Make sure to look for Ed Paschke’s six bold paintings hanging in Le Bar and Irmgard Sigg’s “is she tame” on the ground floor.