Imagine your own Parisian apartment—a stylish pied-à-terre in the chic 8th arrondissement, surrounded by some of the city’s most enviable addresses. The more-than-desirable location is one of the poshest places in Paris to hang one’s chapeau. It’s where you’ll find rich and varied cultural attractions and authentic gathering spots that somehow elude the tourist crowds. Parc Monseau, with its majestic wrought iron gate and lush gardens, exhibit A. But if a private residence is not to be, simply look to Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris as your Parisian home, where guests are welcomed with the sort of warm hospitality typically reserved for family and the closest of friends.
Le Royal Monceau’s dedication to its guests is illustrated in the personally embroidered and monogrammed, French linen Garnier-Thiebaut pillowcases that grace guestroom beds. Each is stored for future use—a luxe “welcome home” for return visitors, of which the hotel has many. These elegant pillowcases also feature embroidered Jean Cocteau-illustrated visages; the iconic artist served as a muse of sorts for designer Philippe Starck in his reimagining of the hotel’s interiors. And those interiors are spectacular, aided in large part by a stellar, rotating collection of more than 350 works of art, the likes of which no other Parisian hotel compares.
ARTISTIC CULTURE
Whether art lover or not, you’ll be charmed by Le Royal Monceau’s artistic culture, apparent within the foyer, the hallways, and the restaurant spaces where both a rotating and permanent cast of specially commissioned works by international artists are found. Stéphane Calais’ fresque murals, Jardin à la Française, adorns the ceiling of the hotel’s flagship restaurant Matsuhisa Paris, and English artist Stephen Smith designed the mirrors on each of the hotel’s landings. The hotel’s dedicated, in-house Art Concierge offers private tours of the hotel’s collection, and she can also organize access to the city’s most vibrant galleries and museums. Additionally, Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris is home to Art District, in partnership with Bel-Air Fine Art— a space dedicated to premiere exhibitions with presentations of new and previously unseen collections. And, the hotel is home to its own leading art bookstore, La Librairie des Arts, featuring more than 700 titles, as well as purchasable objects by artists, architects, and designers. Finally, the hotel’s 99 seat Katara Theatre, considered the best private theatre in Paris, hosts screenings and tailored event programming such as concert broadcasts and auction viewing.
PLAYFUL DESIGN
Starck complements the hotel’s focus on art with his playful design style. In addition to the Jean Cocteau-inspired bed linens, Starck has hung replicas of Cocteau’s love letters on either side of every bed, the better to inspire romance. Hundreds of Cocteau’s letters to his beloved Jeannot have been catalogued, and every bedside copy is unique within the 149 Parisian-designed bedrooms and spacious suites. Each is a full-fledged private space with original architectural features and contemporary French design and individual character. Guestrooms also features important art works, notably fine-art photography by Simon Chaput, Koichiro Doi, Guy Le Querrec, Lucien Hervé, Rune Guneriussen, Thierry Dreyfus, Harry Gruyaert, and Marie Maillard. Exquisite sparkling crystal bathrooms are alone worth a stay, the decadent Clarins bath products of which are a beautiful bonus.
HERITAGE
The first Raffles Hotel opened in Singapore in 1887, and since, the Raffles name has become synonymous with glamour, heritage, and legendary service, having served as host to some of the world’s most notable personalities. Le Royal Monceau is no exception, and since first opening in 1928, the hotel has hosted icons including Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway, Josephine Baker, and loyal patron Ray Charles, for whom a suite has been named. Filled with artifacts from his many visits, the Ray Charles Suite is particularly attractive to music-loving guests who will find an acoustic guitar, and Paris’s only en-suite Pleyel grand piano.
DESTINATION CUISINE
Le Royal Monceau is home to what is considered the best Italian restaurant in Paris: Il Carpaccio. Having earned a Michelin star in 2022, and awarded a spot on “The Best Italian Restaurants In The World” list by 50 Top Italy in 2024, Il Carpaccio is nearly mythical in its accomplished mission of “complexity presented in simplicity.” The hotel is also home to Matsuhisa Paris, iconic Chef Nobu Matsuhisa first restaurant in France. The contemporary Japanese/Peruvian hot spot, with its large dining room and sushi master-led open kitchen is one of Paris’ greatest “see and be seen” destinations.
Aperitif and digestif are best enjoyed at elegant Le Bar Long where a rose pomander bouquet greets guests and soft illumination highlights an eccentric curio collection. This is a sophisticated gathering spot day and night, for breakfast, lunch, elegant desserts, and classic and creative cocktails. And La Cuisine is where guests can indulge in a bountiful buffet breakfast and over-the-top Sunday brunch.
CLARINS & myBLEND SPA
Few things are as rejuvenating as a swim after a day of sightseeing, and the Le Royal Monceau’s Clarins & myBlend Spa is home to a spectacular 23-metre swimming pool, bathed in natural light from above. Take relaxation a step further and book a spa treatment that utilizes indulgent Clarins products. The spa also features the groundbreaking myBlend revolutionary concept by Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins: a range of tailor-made treatments and high-tech tools, such as an LED facial mask, that produce visible results.
The combination of these many attributes, and an air of relaxed sophistication, complimented by professional service, make Le Royal Monceau one of Paris’ leading hotel options, and only one of 12 in the city to receive ‘palace’ distinction, an honor bestowed to those properties that exceed five star status. Whether checking-in for your first time, or your fifth, here, as a treasured guest, your personally monogrammed pillow case awaits.
Photos courtesy of Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, unless otherwise noted