Ritz Paris
France
Ritz Paris turns a stay on Place Vendôme into a sequence of distinct hotel experiences. The rooms and suites each have their own decorative character, with some paying tribute to figures associated with the property. The appeal is richly traditional, but it is the range of intimate spaces beyond the bedroom that gives the hotel its enduring interest. Bar Hemingway has the atmosphere of a small private club, while Bar Vendôme offers a brasserie setting. Salon Proust gives afternoon tea a French expression through pastry, and the Grand Jardin provides a surprisingly extensive pocket of greenery behind the square's formal façades. Espadon supplies a more concentrated dining occasion. The Ritz Club & Spa adds a swimming pool, treatments and fitness facilities. This is a strong choice for travellers who want the hotel itself to be part of their Paris itinerary. Its character rewards time: a garden pause, a carefully chosen drink and a leisurely meal can be as memorable as the room.