Shangri-La Hôtel, Paris

Paris is one city that’s certainly not lacking for home-grown high-gloss luxury hotels. Of course there’s always room for another good one, and the Shangri-La group has spent decades honing its expertise in the major markets of the Far East, which has to be good preparation for Paris’s notoriously exacting clientele. And when it comes to hotel interiors designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the more the better.

In fact the only thing Far Eastern about the place is the name; though it’s a recent restoration, the Shangri-La plays the part of grande dame to a tee. The building was formerly the residence of one Roland Bonaparte, whose surname provides all the biography you need — from there the choice of 19th-century Paris as a stylistic inspiration was an entirely natural one.

So convincing is Rochon’s work that you’ll marvel at the condition of the rooms and suites — it’s impossible to remember that they’re brand-new and not just meticulously well-kept. Of course certain modern innovations do provide some clue: the electronics are quite seamlessly integrated, and the bathrooms play a central role, as is the contemporary fashion.

There’s an outstanding Cantonese restaurant called Shang Palace, as well as a high-end French option, La Bauhinia, set under the grand glass cupola at the heart of the hotel. And there’s a subtle Asian influence in the cocktail bar, too, as the bartenders in this Empire-style lounge are happy to pour a Pékin Express.