Fauchon Hôtel Paris

It’s not at all unusual for luxury hotels to enter the restaurant business, or for famous restaurants to add lodging to their offerings. What’s less common, however, is for a gourmet food purveyor like Fauchon — imagine if Dean & DeLuca were Parisian and about a hundred years older — to try its hand at hospitality. Fauchon’s expertise in its primary area necessarily raises expectations for this new venture, and we’re happy to report that they’re met, and then some. Fauchon L’Hôtel is picture-book Paris, occupying a pair of classic mansions in the heart of the 8th, not far from Fauchon’s original location, as well as the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, and the Jardin des Tuileries.

The rooms and suites are exactly what we mean when we say “contemporary classic” — they’re typically Parisian, with 19th-century architectural elements, graphic echoes of Art Deco, and custom furniture in a contemporary color palette. All the details are entirely up to date, including some impressive electronics, and Fauchon’s culinary heritage means you’re provided with a liberal assortment of sweets and small bites in your in-room mini-pantry.

And while many Parisian hotels do without a restaurant, this one features the Grand Café Fauchon, an extravagant delight. Meanwhile ordinary room service is joined by Chef Service, where your dish is prepared in-room before your eyes. And a spa by Carita completes the package — Fauchon L’Hôtel more than lives up to the promise of its name.